Former governor breaks years of political silence to make major announcement in pivotal race

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Former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, a Republican who has largely avoided politics for years, has endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor, saying New Jersey “needs a change” and describing the GOP nominee as a “compassionate” and “decent” leader he’s known for decades.

Kean served as New Jersey’s 48th governor from 1982 to 1990 and came from a family that produced generations of American political leaders, including William Livingston, the state’s first constitutional governor, according to the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

Kean announced his endorsement Monday on social media, urging voters to back Ciattarelli in Tuesday’s election.

“I haven’t been involved in partisan politics for a number of years, but this year is di