TRENTON -- Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican candidate for New Jersey governor, rolled out endorsements from more than six dozen elected officials from across six counties Tuesday. 

Among the notable names backing Ciattarelli, a member of the state Assembly from Somerset County: Al Gaburo, the chairman of his home county's Republican Party; state Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), and Assemblyman John DiMaio (R-Warren).

The other names include freeholders, mayors, and town Mobilbahis council members from Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Ciattarelli represents parts of all four counties in the Assembly. 

Ciattarelli -- a member of the Assembly since 2011 -- is one of four Republicans running for the party's nomination to succeed Gov. Chris Christie, who is in the eighth and final years of his tenure.

6 things to know about Jack Ciattarelli

Also running are Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Nutley township commissioner Steven Rogers, and Ocean County businessman Joseph Rullo. Comedian Joe Piscopo is also weighing a campaign.

Political experts it will be an uphill battle for Republicans to retain the governor's office in the wake of Christie, who is carrying record-low approval ratings.

But Bateman told NJ Advance Media that Ciattarelli is "very aggressive" and "very bright" and could pose a challenge to Guadagno, who is considered by some political experts to be an early favorite for the nom. Like Bateman, Ciattarelli is also a frequent GOP critic of Christie. 

"He's not afraid to vote his conscience," Bateman said. "He represents what the Republican Party needs."

"I think he has a good shot," the senator added. "If I were the other candidates out there, once you see him on his feet, I'd be concerned."

Ricky Diaz, a spokesman for Guadagno's campaign, told NJ Advance Media that the lieutenant governor is "racking up endorsements every day statewide" and that more than half of all county GOP chairs have endorsed her, though the campaign has yet to officially announce them.

"We'll be announcing those and additional grassroots endorsements from across the state in the coming weeks," Diaz said.

Ciattarelli, a former certified public accountant who now runs a medical publishing company, said Tuesday that his campaign is about "results, not rhetoric."

"That positive and dynamic message is resonating loud and clear across the state, which is why our support continues to grow," he added.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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