2024 Statewide Leadership Summit

2023 Lessons Learned Panel

Fri., 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm

Although Republicans around the state scored some very important local victories, the “big picture” results of the 2023 Election were unexpected and underwhelming. This session unpacks the reasons behind the GOP’s performance and explains how we can move forward to deliver big victories for NJ in 2024, 2025, and beyond.

Moderator

Matt Gould

Panelists

Chris Del Borrello

Chris Del Borrello was the Republican State Senate Candidate for the 4th Legislative District in 2023.

A lifelong resident of Gloucester and Camden counties, Chris Del Borrello serves as Chief Compliance Officer for his family-owned business, The Del Borrello Group. In that role, Chris is trained in the Anti-Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act laws that guard against criminal and terrorist activity. He is an active member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)

Chris holds a BA from Rutgers University and his MA from West Chester University. Prior to that, he graduated from Paul VI High School.

Politically, the Del Borrello’s have been active in politics since the 1990s. Chris is a former legislative aide for Assemblyman Domenick C. DiCicco, and served as an elected Councilman in Washington Township, Gloucester County, being sworn-in as Council President when he was just 26 years old.

On Council, Chris held the line on taxes and spending, while still investing in key priorities like public safety, recreation, and infrastructure. He also delivered a reform agenda that achieved healthcare reform, municipal trash contract negotiations, and struck a blow against rampant political patronage at the local MUA.

Chris currently lives in Gloucester Township, Camden County, with his wife Tricia and their four children.

Chris Russell

Chris Russell was the top advisor to New Jersey Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli in 2021 and has served as a strategic advisor to Members of Congress, Republican organizations, state legislators, and elected officials on the county and local level. Beyond partisan politics, Chris also advises corporations and issue advocacy groups on issues ranging from iGaming, commercial development, education, and healthcare.

As an award-winning direct mail consultant, Chris and his firm have won over 40 Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and Reed Awards from Campaigns & Elections Magazine for his creative work.

Chris has consistently been named one of New Jersey’s top Republican consultants by the New Jersey Globe, as well as regularly appearing as a guest analyst on programs like NJTV’s On the Record, NJ Spotlight/PBS Chatbox, and News 12 New Jersey’s Power & Politics.

Carlos Cruz

Carlos Cruz is an Executive Vice President at Jamestown Associates. With more than a decade of political experience at the local, state, and national level, Carlos has served in key leadership roles on a number of high-profile campaigns of national consequence.

In his time at Jamestown, Carlos produced ads in some of the most closely watched races of the last few years, crafting TV ads for Brandon Williams in NY-22 as well as playing a key role in New Jersey’s historic 2021 election, serving as a media consultant in Legislative Districts 1, 2, and 11. In the last few campaign cycles, Carlos has produced ads called “the best ad in NJ political history” and the “2022 Campaign Ad of the Year.”

In 2020, Carlos worked on Jamestown’s ad team for President Trump, and as a part of the Hispanic advertising team, cut compelling ads that helped lay the groundwork for the President’s improvement with Hispanic voters.