Republican nominee for governor Jack Ciattarelli has released his first video statement since Gov. Phil Murphy’s victory speech on Wednesday night.

Ciattarelli asked for patience as the votes continue to be tallied.

He said that he does not plan to concede the race until all 21 counties have finished counting all ballots that have been cast in this year’s election.

“Currently, Gov. Murphy and I are separated by about 1% out of 2.4 million ballots counted. There are still tens of thousands of vote-by-mail and provisional ballots yet to be counted,” Ciattarelli said. “The governor's victory speech last night was premature. No one should be declaring victory or conceding the election until every legal vote is counted.”

Ciattarelli also urged his supporters to not give in to conspiracy theories.

"I don't want people falling victim to wild conspiracy theories or online rumors. While consideration is paid to any and all credible reports, please don't believe everything you see or read online,” he said.

The Republican says that his legal team is watching over the count and asked that anyone with evidence of fraud to call the Republican voter integrity hotline at 609-288-2925.

Ciattarelli said that he gives his word that the election results will be “legal and fair.”