Ciattarelli Vows to Defend Home-Schooling at Moms for Liberty Rally in Jersey City

August 28, 2025

At Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli—poised to become the state’s next governor—pledged to halt what he described as an “assault” on home‑schooling and broader parental rights, addressing a Moms for Liberty rally organized by the Bergen County chapter.

Alexandra Bougher, chair of Moms for Liberty Bergen County, opened with a moment of silence for the two children killed and 17 others injured in a Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis that occurred the day before. She asserted that parental rights are being systematically undermined by the New Jersey Department of Education’s curriculum decisions and vaccine mandates, and she highlighted emerging legislative efforts to introduce annual “wellness check” requirements for home‑schooled students—a move she said is eroding New Jersey’s historic status as one of the most permissive states for home schooling. Bougher also pointed out her recent headlines after being removed from the Girl Scouts for not bringing her troop to LGBTQ events during Pride Month, using that as an example of the broader “woke ideology” driving parents away from public schooling.

Jack Ciattarelli, who faces Democratic nominee U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) in the November 4 general election, sharply criticized the current administration under Governor Phil Murphy (D). He declared that the “assault” on parental rights will end when he assumes office in January 2026 if elected, labeling policies like Policy 5756—which discourages school personnel from telling parents about a student’s gender identity—as “immoral,” “indecent,” “wrong,” and “dangerous.”

Ciattarelli noted that despite severe academic underperformance in public schools—where up to 80% of eighth graders lag behind grade-level proficiency in reading, writing, and math—there’s no corresponding legislation to address those educational shortcomings. Meanwhile, he claimed, many proposed bills would place unjust burdens on home‑schooling families. He cited that approximately 160,000 parents in New Jersey (educating more than 80,000 children) could be adversely affected by increased regulation.

He further committed, if elected, to appoint a state Attorney General and Commissioner of Education who respect parental rights, and to establish a Parental Bill of Rights.

Civil rights attorney Dana Wefer, former chair of the Hoboken Housing Authority board and current Bergen County resident, provided context on why home schooling is appealing to many parents. She argued that parents want to shield their children from ideologies—like transgender affirmation policies—that they deem confusing or harmful. Wefer claimed some schools facilitate children presenting as a different sex without parental knowledge, potentially leading toward lifelong medicalization including cross-sex hormones and surgeries.

Wefer further detailed the legislative threats: bills demanding annual wellness evaluations by counselors, nurses, or social workers; submissions to state-approved curriculum requirements; and disclosure of reading materials used at home. She described these provisions as invasive, bringing government scrutiny into the private domain of the home.

Others lending support at the rally included:

State Senator Michael Testa (R‑1) Assemblyman Paul Kinatra (R‑10) Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R‑24)

Senator Testa condemned governmental overreach into family and educational matters, urging voters to elect Ciattarelli.

Also present were Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, Hudson County GOP Vice Chair Joe Branco, GOP 9th District congressional candidate Billy Prempeh, and GOP state Assembly nominee for the 37th Legislative District, Marco Navarro.

Summary of Elected Officials and Candidates Mentioned

Jack Ciattarelli – Republican gubernatorial nominee, described as the “next governor”

State Senator Michael Testa (R-1)

Assemblyman Paul Kinatra (R-10)

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-24)

Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari

Hudson County GOP Vice Chair Joe Branco

Billy Prempeh – GOP candidate for U.S. House, 9th District

Marco Navarro – GOP nominee for Assembly in the 37th Legislative District