Fulop takes it to the limit

Politico

09-05-2025

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Good Friday morning!
There's one month left in the gubernatorial primary, and Steven Fulop says he's not going to bust the $8.7 million spending cap for publicly-financed candidates.
But he's cutting it really close. Fulop has spent about $8 million just on TV and digital advertising, according to AdImpact. That's not including various other campaign expenses, like staff, polling and event space rental that aren't among the few exceptions to the spending cap. And he had already spent about $530,000 on those costs as of January. .
That leaves Fulop very little wiggle room on how to spend through next month, even with a skeleton campaign staff of four.
'Our campaign has been structured differently from the beginning,' Fulop said in a statement. 'Unlike the others, we don't have paid consultants, we don't have a campaign manager or field director or finance director or social media advisors or offices, and instead we have more than 1,500 volunteers that pitch in on every aspect of the campaign. This unique ground up structure that is based on volunteers impacted our spending decisions to front load TV.'
Fulop's burn rate had been raised as a concern in 2023, when he kicked off his campaign more than two years before the primary. But of course, it doesn't mean the same as it used to. He's also got two super PACs behind him, one of which has already spent millions on his campaign but likely has millions more in the bank. But I don't want to constantly repeat myself about how super PACs have made so many campaign finance rules obsolete. So I won't. I didn't just then.
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WHERE'S MURPHY? In Newark at 10 a.m. for a park ribbon cutting ceremony
QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'If I was trying to bribe someone, do you think I would put that (out) into the public? Do you think I would openly make that suggestion?' — Developer and former professional football player Kevin Johnson on offering $1 million to Bordentown schools if the town expedites approvals on two of his development projects
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Cassandra Gatelein, Barry Kaufman, Tom Wilson. Saturday for Ravi Bhalla, Nicole Sutterley, Jeremy Julis. Sunday for Brian Rumpf, Shannon Natale.
WHAT TRENTON MADE
TRUMP'S EARLY BUMP — President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of Tom Kean Jr. for reelection. Kean represents New Jersey's only competitive district, the 7th, which also includes Trump's Bedminster golf club. Already a handful of Democrats have lined up to challenge Kean. On Truth Social, Trump called Kean a 'Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda' who 'is working tirelessly to Secure the Border, Stop Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.' On X, Kean thanked Trump:'I am working every day to build a stronger America and a stronger New Jersey. We are making life more affordable for every family, safeguarding our communities, and working to achieve peace across the world. Thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. I will continue to deliver for a better future.' — Dustin Racioppi
PAINTING A PICTURE FOR THE CANVASS — New Jersey's gov hopefuls signal for outside help in final weeks of primary, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: Democrats running for governor of New Jersey are posting guidance for voter outreach on their campaign websites — an increasingly common campaign tactic that can serve as a signal to outside groups of how to spend their resources in the leadup to the June primary. In a Thursday memo to 'interested parties,' Rep. Mikie Sherrill campaign manager Alex Ball wrote that the 'key factor down the stretch of this race will be face-to-face contact with voters' and outlined who the campaign views as its 'top targets.' That includes Hispanic and Asian voters, as well as white women, on the vote-by-mail list who voted in at least three of the last four Democratic primary elections. The Sherrill campaign's 'next targets' are Asian and white voters who haven't voted or voted one or two times out of the last four Democratic primary elections. The campaign even lists where these voters could be found, broken down by county and municipality. These public instructions come from a page accessed on Sherrill's campaign website found by clicking a tab at the bottom of the site called 'media.' … .
Super PACs have an outsized role in the race for governor, giving candidates who have spending limits due to the state's public matching funds program an edge. Any outreach is critical in the closing days of the election, especially considering a large swath of the electorate has not even tuned in. A Rutgers-Eagleton poll released on Friday found that when respondents were asked when the next election in New Jersey will take place, 4 percent answered the June 10 primary, 20 percent said some time in June, while more than one-third said November.
SOCKET TO ME — Speaker Coughlin on the 'real fight' over energy rates, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has been paying a lot of attention to energy issues ahead of summer rate increases that will cause skyrocketing bills. 'It's a real fight because it's a big deal for so many people,' he said in an interview this week with POLITICO. To the Democratic speaker, the energy issues are the same kinds of affordability challenges he's been trying to solve by helping boost funding for senior property tax cuts and passing ANCHOR rebates for homeowners and renters. The rate hikes themselves are the result of a 'pretty simple economic problem,' Coughlin said. There's more demand for energy than supply. The solution isn't so easy. He said the state can't instantly create more supply. Instead, his immediate focus is on various kinds of rate relief, including money that Gov. Phil Murphy has set aside for rate assistance and plans the Board of Public Utilities asked utilities to come up with to help defer some of the higher prices.
—'New Jersey taking a new look at nuclear power as electric rates soar and voters grumble'
HE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH IN HIS CAMPAIGN FUND — 'Gottheimer spent more than 10% of public-funded office budget on ads days after announcing run for New Jersey governor,' by Will Bredderman for The Jersey Vindicator: 'U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer followed up his New Jersey gubernatorial campaign launch last fall with a massive digital ad buy from his congressional office — a payment to a vendor linked to his political operation that Washington watchdogs say looks like a flagrant use of public funds to advance the Democrat's political ambitions. Days after Gottheimer kicked off his bid for Drumthwacket on Nov. 15, his House office paid $180,225.92 for 'advertisements' to an Iowa-based firm called Pinpoint Digital LLC, congressional disbursement records show. The figure vastly outstrips the amount any other representative spent on ads in the same period — and exceeds even the combined advertising expenditures of all 11 other members of the New Jersey delegation.'
MON SOLO AND THE REBEL ALLIANCE — 'James Solomon backs Bhalla and Brennan for Assembly,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'James Soloman, the downtown Jersey City councilman and mayoral candidate who wields considerable influence among progressive voters, is taking sides in the 32nd district Democratic primary and endorsing Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and former Murphy administration official Katie Brennan for State Assembly. 'Katie and Ravi are proven leaders who will shake up Trenton. They're running to serve the people, not the party bosses,' Soliman stated … With the Jersey City non-partisan election not until November, Solomon pledged to put his own political organization behind the two Assembly candidates in the June 10 Democratic primary. That allows him to test his grassroots group five months before he needs them to perform. Solomon said that Bhalla's eight years as mayor of Hoboken is a model for a mayor who's not part of the Hudson Democratic clubhouse.'
TEENS BEHAVING BADLY — 'Governor sends bill targeting pop-up parties back to lawmakers, citing constitutional concerns,' by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: 'Gov. Phil Murphy, citing First Amendment concerns, has conditionally vetoed legislation intended to deter disruptive pop-up parties that have harried shore towns in recent summers. Murphy on Thursday said he supports the bill's intent but worries its language could chill free speech and peaceful protest, and he warned provisions could criminalize lawful mask wearing. Civil rights advocates had urged Murphy to veto the bill … The bill, which won unanimous votes in both legislative chambers in March, would have created new criminal charges of inciting a public brawl for those who 'engage' or 'promote' at least four others to engage in disorderly conduct. Murphy's conditional veto suggests lawmakers change the bill to say those who 'incite' or attempt to incite at least four others to such conduct could be charged with inciting a public brawl … The bill's chief Senate sponsor [Paul Moriarty] said legislators would take up the changes, which he viewed as largely technical.'
—'As primary for governor's race nears, candidates share details of their finances'
—'How would New Jersey's candidates for governor tackle affordability?'
—'New Jersey may prohibit sweepstakes casinos, saying they are illegal gambling'
TRUMP ERA
KUSHNER IS QUALIFIED TO SEE FRANCE BECAUSE A HIDDEN CAMERA HELPED HIM SEE UNDERPANTS — 'Acknowledging 'very serious mistake,' Charles Kushner greenlit for ambassadorship by Senate committee,' by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: 'Charles Kushner – a New Jersey real estate titan whose conviction on federal charges in 2005 became an enduring New Jersey political scandal and helped facilitate Chris Christie's rise to prominence – is one step closer to a U.S. ambassadorship. Kushner, who is also the father of President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today to be U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco after being nominated by Trump for the role last year. He and several other ambassador nominees cleared the committee on a 12-0 vote, with only Republicans in attendance; every committee Democrat, among them Senator Cory Booker, skipped the meeting for reasons that weren't immediately clear.'
—Trump ramps up plans for 2026 World Cup amid friction with neighbors: 'Tensions are a good thing'
—'Trump cuts hit Morris County: Children's theater loses $10,000 federal grant'
—'Trump's DEI cuts spark concern among students, faculty at N.J. universities'
—'SALT caucus rejects tax-writing panel's offer of $30,000 deduction cap'
—"Donald Norcross released from rehab facility'
LOCAL
TOMS RIVEN — 'This feud between Ocean County GOP boss, Toms River mayor is roiling local politics,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'Nine candidates are competing for four Township Council seats in Toms River's GOP primary, but the biggest fight in this election is between Mayor Daniel Rodrick and his former ally — but current rival — Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore. To hear Rodrick tell it, the dispute centers on Gilmore's attempts to exert control over Toms River, New Jersey's largest municipality where Republicans hold all positions on the governing body. Gilmore instead says that Rodrick 'follows a slash-and-burn response,' attacking other Republicans when he does not get his way. Since taking over as mayor, Rodrick has engaged in public disputes with the police chief, closed the township animal shelter, and most recently proposed using eminent domain to knock down a church applying to add a homeless shelter and replace it with a park.'
BOXER'S BRIEFS — 'Lakewood Schools paid its attorney $6 million. Plus hundreds of thousands more to outside firms,' by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'While the Lakewood Board of Education has paid board attorney Michael Inzelbuch more than $6 million since 2017, the district has also shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional legal work during the same period, an Asbury Park Press investigation has revealed. More than $600,000 of added legal work was farmed out to seven other attorneys, according to a review of documents and invoices obtained by the Press through an Open Public Records Act request. Among those lawyers is the high-profile criminal investigative attorney Matthew Boxer of Lowenstein Sadler, who charged $880 per hour for a stint in 2022. Boxer, a former federal prosecutor and, coincidentally a Lakewood High School graduate … It is unclear why Lakewood Schools required the expertise of such a high-priced lawyer, or what work he performed for the total cost of $47,656 over several weeks. Boxer and Lakewood School officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment and clarification.'
SLAPP HAPPY KRANJAC — 'This N.J. town has to pay more than $200,000 for suing its own lawyers,' by The Record's Colleen Murphy: 'The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that municipalities are not exempt from sanctions for frivolous litigation, ordering Englewood Cliffs to pay over $200,000 in penalties. This decision comes after the court agreed with lower court rulings that Englewood Cliffs acted in bad faith when it filed a lawsuit against its former attorneys. Englewood Cliffs hired Thomas J. Trautner, Albert Wunsch, and Jeffrey R. Surenian to handle a legal matter related to affordable housing requirements. Despite the fact that the attorneys advised the town to settle due to the weaknesses in their case, Englewood Cliffs chose to go to trial and ultimately lost, according to court documents. A builder, 800 Sylvan Avenue, disagreed and wanted to build more. After losing that case, the borough settled with the builder. However, after political control of the borough changed hands, Englewood Cliffs filed a second lawsuit against their former attorneys and the builder. The court found that the borough had no valid reason for filing the lawsuit, determining that it was filed with malicious intent.'
—''Serious event': Expect road closures during Mahwah Sheraton Crossroads hotel demolition'
—'Wayne school district outsources after care program. Families to pay higher fees'
—'N.J. student set Chromebook on fire for viral TikTok challenge, cops say'
—'6 former students claim they were sexually abused by [Cherry Hill] teacher, and district didn't stop it'
—'Andrew Washington's family rallies over no charges for [Jersey City] cop who fatally shot him'
—'[Jersey City] school bus crash sends 4 students to hospital with minor injuries, officials say'
EVERYTHING ELSE
THE SECOND SEE — ''We never expected an American': NJ Catholics joyful for Pope Leo XIV's election,' by The Record's Deena Yellin: 'Shock and excitement reverberated around New Jersey and the country Thursday afternoon with the news that the cardinals had chosen an American to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected by the college of cardinals on Thursday in Vatican City. A native of Chicago whose ministry took him to Peru and then to the Vatican, Prevost is a 1977 graduate of Villanova University … When Prevost came out on the balcony, Yates was overjoyed. Prevost, she knew, was born in Chicago, although he spent much of his career overseas. But his name wasn't on any short list. 'We never expected an American — we assumed that was out of the picture,' she said, adding that everyone she knows is thrilled with the choice .. Dugan McGinley, a professor of religion at Rutgers University said it's significant that the new pope chose the name Leo, because the last pontiff to take that name, Leo XIII, who was pope from 1878 to 1903, is considered one of the main figures in the modern Catholic social justice movement.'
HUGIN'S HEROES — 'The price of remission,' by ProPublica's David Armstrong: 'A few hours after arriving at the emergency room, I heard my name. A doctor asked me to follow him to a private area, where he told me a scan had uncovered something 'concerning.' There were lesions, areas of bone destruction, on top of both of my hip bones and on my sternum. These were hallmarks of multiple myeloma. 'Cancer,' he said … That drug I take is called Revlimid. It is a derivative of thalidomide, a slightly tweaked version of the parent compound. Revlimid is now one of the bestselling pharmaceutical products of all time, with total sales of more than $100 billion. It has extended tens of thousands of lives — including my own. But Revlimid is also, I soon learned, extraordinarily expensive, costing nearly $1,000 for each daily pill. (Although, I later discovered, a capsule costs just 25 cents to make.) … I wanted to know how this drug came to cost so much — and why the price keeps going up. The price of Revlimid has been hiked 26 times since it launched. Some of what happened was reported at the time. But no one has pieced together the full account of what the drugmaker Celgene did, how federal regulators failed to rein it in and what the story reveals about unrestrained drug pricing in America. What I discovered astonished even me.'
—'Here's where the Atlantic City casinos' money comes from (and half of it's not from gambling)'