As originally seen on Shore News Network
Bill Spadea, a prominent former New Jersey radio host and conservative commentator, is under fire for his views on immigration, which diverge from the hardline policies of President Donald Trump. The controversy has been amplified by a series of attack ads funded by Kitchen Table Conservatives.
Spadea, the host of a popular morning show on NJ 101.5, has long taken a more moderate position on immigration compared to Trump’s strict enforcement policies. [Spadea] has publicly expressed support for a pathway to citizenship and amnesty for undocumented immigrants, a stance at odds with Trump’s call for mass deportations.
In the ads, Spadea’s comments were juxtaposed with the president’s immigration policies, painting [Spadea] as out of step with conservative values. “Finally we have a president committed to securing our border, yet Bill Spadea thinks we should let millions of illegals in,” the ad stated, using clips of Spadea saying, “I do believe in amnesty and a pathway to citizenship.”
Spadea’s position includes advocating for a plan to allow undocumented immigrants currently residing in the U.S. to remain legally and eventually gain citizenship. “It is time that we talk about a pathway to citizenship for people who are here and they are undocumented,” Spadea said during a prior broadcast, adding that his views are “a little more liberal” than those of many of his conservative peers.
“I believe in a pathway to citizenship,” Spadea said of illegal aliens.
“President Trump begins the work of securing our border. He deserves a Governor he can work with – and that’s just not Bill Spadea. Spadea’s admitted he’s on the wrong side of the issue – and it hasn’t stopped him from repeatedly and consistently calling for amnesty for illegal immigrants,” Kitchen Table Conservatives said in a statement today. “Spadea cannot be trusted to work with President Trump to keep our families safe.”
The ads have sparked debate among New Jersey conservatives, with some defending Spadea’s pragmatism and others condemning his stance as incompatible with the broader GOP platform. The backlash highlights the ongoing divide within the Republican Party over immigration policy, particularly in states like New Jersey, where conservative values often compete with a more moderate electorate.
Spadea announced this week that he was taking a leave of absence from his daily radio show to focus on his campaign for governor.
