Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli has seized on Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill's recent refusal to rule out raising New Jersey's sales tax.

While Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli easily pledged against raising New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax on the gubernatorial debate stage last weekend, Sherrill said, "I'm not going to commit to anything right now, because I'm not just going to tell you what you want to hear."

Ciattarelli quickly capitalized on the comment, posting on X later that evening, "We just can’t afford Mikie."

Both candidates have tried to position their campaigns as the solution to New Jersey's affordability crisis since securing their party's nominations this summer. According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, monthly electricity bills were expected to rise 17% to 20% as of June 1. 

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"Tonight, Mikie outlined her bold vision, beginning on Day One with a State of Emergency on Utility Costs to end the rate hikes and lower costs," Sherrill campaign manager Alex Ball said in a statement Sunday. 

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Earlier in the debate, Sherrill said her campaign wants a 10% tax hike "off the table." But despite Sherrill's commitment to freezing utility rate hikes as governor, the Democrat couldn't extend that same guarantee to the state's sales tax when asked directly. 

"He'll tell you whatever you want to hear," Sherrill said of her opponent. "Well, I'm going to tell you the truth. I'm going to be fiscally responsible with your money. I'm going to drive down your cost at every level. And I'm going to make sure your kids have great opportunities here in the state of New Jersey."

In a statement after the debate, Sherrill's campaign seemed to walk back her answer on the debate stage. 

"While Jack has repeatedly said a 10% sales tax is on the table, I have been very clear on this: it’s off the table for me and I will not raise the sales tax as your governor," Sherrill said in the statement Monday. 

Ciattarelli's campaign strategist Chris Russell told Fox News Digital that Sherrill's comment Sunday proves her plan is to "follow in the footsteps of Phil Murphy and Trenton Democrats and raise taxes again."

Greater Garden State, a super PAC backed by the Democratic Governors Association, released an ad last week dubbing Ciattarelli, "High Tax Jack," for his comments referencing Tennessee's "10% sales tax on everything," during a rally earlier this summer, according to The New Jersey Independent. 

But the Republican nominee rejected the claim on the debate stage. 

"If any of you think I'm going to raise your sales tax to 10%, I got a bridge I want to sell you for about 50 cents. She knows it's a lie. They're trying to exploit you. They're trying to manipulate you. She knows she's in trouble in this campaign. So, this campaign is going to lie to you over and over again," Ciattarelli said. 

Ciattarelli's campaign also created a website debunking the Democrats' attack line against him. 

The former New Jersey state representative, who is running his third consecutive bid for New Jersey governor, vowed to "cut the size and cost of the state government to afford a tax cut for everybody," in order to decrease tax burdens for New Jerseyans. 

"We are not raising the sales tax here in New Jersey. What we need to do is lower the income tax and the property tax. Here in New Jersey, those are the most burdensome taxes we pay," Ciattarelli said. 

A woman accused of sucker-punching a pro-life activist in a now-viral video street interview has had her case dropped because Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office missed a key filing deadline, according to the victim’s attorneys.

Brianna Rivers, 30, of the Bronx, allegedly punched pro-life activist Savannah Craven Antao while the journalist was interviewing her for the pro-life organization Live Action in New York City in April. 

Rivers was charged with second-degree assault, but prosecutors dismissed the case in July when they failed to turn over evidence on time, according to the Chicago-based Thomas More Society, which plans to file a civil lawsuit against Rivers on behalf of Craven Antao.

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The Thomas More Society said that Savannah went to the emergency room for stitches, resulting in $3,000 in medical bills. After the attack, Rivers walked away from the scene of the crime with both middle fingers extended, the public interest law firm said. 

"District Attorney Bragg’s shocking refusal to uphold justice only works to undermine confidence in the system, especially when our political climate has become as fraught as it is now," said Christopher Ferrara, senior counsel at Thomas More Society.

"Failing to prosecute these clear-cut charges sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue."

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A spokesperson for Bragg’s office told the New York Post that it is "taking immediate internal steps in light" of the botched case.

"Every victim deserves their day in court, and our office has reached out to apologize to Ms. Craven Antao for the unacceptable error of missing the discovery deadline," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment early Saturday. 

Video taken by Antao’s husband captured the moment when Rivers grew fed up with the conversation she had been having with Antao. 

The assailant stopped mid-speech and delivered two blows straight to Antao’s face. The reporter was sent reeling off camera as the attacker walked away from the scene.

Antao was left cut and bloodied by the altercation. 

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Rivers, in a Facebook post, accused Antao of inciting the attack by antagonizing her. 

"To Savannah, I sincerely apologize but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one sided narrative. I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse," she wrote, adding, "She knows the truth, and she needs to release the footage in its entirety. Savannah is a professional antagonist, not a ‘reporter’ and the truth will be told."