3 days ago
Who's the boss?
Good Friday morning!
Who's the boss? Steve Fulop, according to George Norcross' super PAC.
American Representative Majority this month began blanketing South Jersey with mailers. The group is targeting Fulop-aligned South Jersey Assembly candidates challenging mostly incumbents backed by the South Jersey Democratic machine.
'A North Jersey party boss is funding his own candidates in South Jersey elections,' reads one of them, which shows a stream of money flowing across the state from roughly the location of Jersey City to the 4th Legislative District, where Fulop-backed candidates Brian Everett and Vonetta Hawkins are challenging incumbent Democrats Cody Miller and Dan Hutchison. The PAC is also sending out positive mailers about Miller and Hutchison.
I've also seen mailers attacking Evesham Councilmember Eddie Freeman, who's challenging the Democratic party-backed candidates in the 8th District, including Assemblymember Andrea Katz. They include a big red arrow pointing to a photo of Steve Fulop that says 'Now he's running with a North Jersey Party Boss backing him.'
Meanwhile, the Camden City Democratic Committee, which of course is not permitted to coordinate with super PACs, sent out a mailer going after a Fulop-backed slate of Camden council candidates for 'supporting North Jersey Party Boss Steve Fulop for Governor.' Just like the mailer going after the 8th District Fulop candidates, the Camden mailer not only used the same language about Fulop but even needlessly capitalized the words 'party boss.' You can see how strong the law is that bars super PACs from coordinating with campaigns.
None of the mailers I've seen are aimed at helping longtime Norcross ally Steve Sweeney, a Fulop rival for governor. Sweeney has his own super PAC. Interestingly, the one funded by the Camden Democrats actually criticizes the Assembly candidates for being 'against Mayor Vic Carstarphen and Ras Baraka for Governor.' (Carstarphen endorsed Baraka.)
I don't know how much money American Representative Majority is putting into this effort. The good news is that the 11-day preelection reports for PACs are due today. So far, super PACs backing almost every gubernatorial candidate in both primaries have spent tens of millions combined in the election, but today is the first time we'll get solid info about who's funding them.
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WHERE'S MURPHY — In Lakewood at 11 a.m. to talk about Medicaid
QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Josh is too short to be governor.' — Teaneck Councilmember Mike Pagan, on Josh Gottheimer, supposedly joking
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Owen Henry, Jeanne Fox, Sue Nemeth. Saturday for Amy Pfeiffer. Sunday for Phil Angarone, Muhammed Akil
WHAT TRENTON MADE
FORTRESS OF SQUALORTUDE — 'From 'fortress' to palace, work on N.Y.C.'s massive new Port Authority Bus Terminal begins,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'Long suffering bus commuters who've trudged through the dreary, aging Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan had reasons to be cheerful Thursday with the ceremonial tossing of dirt to build a $10 billion replacement. The ground breaking, presided over by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, concludes an 11-year process to build a $10 billion replacement for the aging bus terminal on the same site while continuing to serve commuters and travelers. At the ceremony held on a lot near the existing terminal on 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, officials spoke about their high expectations for the new bus terminal. 'When you take the bus in, I want everyone to have a wow factor when they come in,' Hochul said.'
STOP. GOTTHAMMER TIME — 'Money talks: A legendary N.J. fundraiser never lost an election. But will his superpower be enough this time?' by NJ Advance Media's AJ McDougall: 'Even his fiercest critics will admit: Josh Gottheimer knows how to work a room. It's arguably the skill that has bestowed upon him perhaps his greatest asset as a New Jersey congressman: his staggeringly large war chest. The one that put him heads and shoulders above the other 434 members of the House of Representatives last year with the most cash on hand ($20.7 million — $3 million more than the next richest legislator). The one that has scared off any would-be primary challengers in his district for the past four years. The one that earned him the nickname 'The Human Fundraising Machine.' Fundraising dominance is not the flashiest political weapon, nor does it make you bulletproof. … It can even be a liability — particularly in a gubernatorial race where your Democratic opponents are hinting you might be beholden to Wall Street. But fundraising is still a superpower, and one that has worked for the 50-year-old Gottheimer.'
THE BLUDGEOT — 'Gov. Phil Murphy is proposing 'unexpected and devastating' cuts to a major South Jersey health center that treats abused children, advocates warn,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Alfred Lubrano: 'A major South Jersey health center that treats children who are the victims of neglect or abuse will have its funding eliminated in Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed 2026 budget, which advocates say will threaten the mental and physical well-being of young people in seven counties. At a time when Medicaid as well as national public health and research programs face spending reductions under President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress, New Jersey's Democratic governor's proposed cuts to the Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute further jeopardize the social safety net for children and families, according to its director Rachel Silliman Cohen.'
SOULJA VOID — 'Stand With Crypto removes Soulja Boy from NJ governor rally after discovering sexual assault fine,' by Coindesk's Nikhilesh De: 'Rapper Soulja Boy will no longer perform at Stand With Crypto's 'get out the vote' event in Jersey City next week due to a court finding him liable for sexual battery and assault, a spokesperson told CoinDesk on Thursday … An external spokesperson for Stand With Crypto said in a statement that the organization was 'not aware of the recent legal developments involving Soulja Boy.' 'Given this information, we have removed him from our event lineup. 070 Shake will still perform at our June 5th rally and we look forward to bringing together New Jersey's crypto community to demonstrate the political power of crypto voters ahead of the gubernatorial primary,' according to the statement.'
YOU GO, GURAL — 'What will it take for New Jersey racetracks to get the go-ahead to add casinos?' by Casino Reports' John Brennan: 'A New Jersey bill that is designed to allow the construction of casinos at the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park was introduced this month by two Democrat state senators, Paul Sarlo and Vin Gopal. But the language of the proposal could change greatly between now and the targeted statewide referendum that could be on the ballot in November 2026. 'This bill is designed to allow us to start the conversation,' said Monmouth Park racetrack operator Dennis Drazin … Drazin said that while [Meadowlands Racetrack owner Jeff] Gural is determined to have a full-fledged casino at the Meadowlands, one possible compromise — if necessary — would be to feature only slot machines at his Monmouth County site. Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct are called 'racinos' because they currently follow that model of offering slot machine play but not traditional table games. Gural — who personally spent $5 million on the ill-fated 2016 casino effort — remains convinced that a question regarding opening a casino at his track in East Rutherford would be approved.'
— AP: 'Wrangling in New Jersey primaries tests messaging on Trump for November and beyond'
— WAPO: 'This state swung toward Trump. But now Democrats want a governor to fight him'
— 'How do N.J. governor candidates stand on immigration enforcement? Here's what all 11 told us'
— 'Here's how the Democrats running to be governor say they'll make New Jersey more affordable'
— 'Teens are brawling at malls, carnivals and the Shore. These N.J. laws would combat it'
TRUMP ERA
NEVERMIND — 'Ocean County commissioners walk back concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts,' by the Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: 'Ocean County commissioners on Wednesday softened their previous criticism of planned changes to Medicaid in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' a week after the GOP-led legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Residents packed a public meeting of the Board of Commissioners on May 21 to complain about proposed cuts to Medicaid in the bill … Commissioner Jack Kelly, board director, even said he would introduce a resolution to formalize the board's opposition to Medicaid cuts, which is still expected to be adopted at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, June 4 … Over the past week, two commissioners said their concerns about Medicaid cuts in the bill had been assuaged by the county's two congressmen — Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, both Republicans who voted for the legislation. In conversations with the congressmen after their votes, Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Virginia E. Haines said they were assured that the Medicaid changes would target only waste, abuse and fraud — not anyone who addressed the county commission meeting last week.'
— 'Northfield Democrat will run to take on Jeff Van Drew'
— 'NJ in thick of fight against Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship'
— 'Pride, and prejudice: What happens to marriage equality now in NJ and nation?'
LOCAL
NOW STREAMING: LUIS VELEZ — 'Why was the body cam video muted at the scene of a Paterson councilman's car crash?' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'The police body camera video from the scene of Councilman Luis Velez's May 12 auto crash contained 27 minutes of footage for which the audio was muted, including at least one instance in which Velez was speaking in the police officer's presence. Neither Paterson police nor City Hall officials provided an explanation for the extensive muting of the crash scene recording, which ran for 33 minutes and 49 seconds. The portion that was muted amounted to about 80% of the footage from the scene of the collision involving Velez. The other driver, Knolaisha Washington of Paterson, has said she believes Velez was drunk at the time of the 1:43 a.m. crash, which she asserted was caused by the councilman going through a red light at the intersection of Madison and 12th avenues … The video from the crash scene begins with the audio on as Velez is describing the crash to the officer. The fact that the video provided by city officials begins with the sound turned on is highly unusual.'
McCOMBING THE COUNTRY — 'Camden school district announces plans to search for new superintendent,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Melanie Burney: 'The Camden school district plans to conduct a national search for a new schools chief to replace outgoing Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs. The search is scheduled to begin in June and take months, the district said in an announcement. A new superintendent is expected to start in November. State Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer will select the new superintendent with approval from the state Board of Education. The Camden school advisory board has no say. For the first time since the state took control of Camden schools in 2013, there will be a search for a superintendent, and it will include a survey and community forums for residents to give input.'
SILENCED BY THE LAMB — 'No tax increase in Toms River budget; mayor slams rival as 'far left liberal socialist',' by the Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'Councilimember Justin Lamb called for a five-minute recess in the middle of the meeting after Deacon Ted Foley, archdeacon in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, began questioning the council and mayor about an ordinance introduced last month that would allow the township to acquire — or seize via eminent domain — three private marinas, a plot of vacant land, and the 11-acre Christ Episcopal Church property. The mayor envisions a downtown park on the church land, including a soccer field, pickleball courts, a skatepark and a playground. [Councilmember Tom] Nivison said that [Mayor Dan] Rodrick was attempting to seize the church because he was upset about a proposal to build a 17-bed overnight shelter for the homeless on the church property … When Foley tried to continue his questioning, Lamb told him his time was up and asked for the next speaker to come up. Speakers at council meetings are allowed three minutes to ask questions or make comments to the council. When Foley did not sit down, Lamb at first asked that police officers in the crowd remove him, and then instead called for a recess.'
— 'Chaos erupts at Toms River council meeting, as the fight to save church continues'
— 'Governor backs Jimmy Davis for Hudson sheriff over incumbent'
— 'Girlfriend of NJ councilwoman's accused killer testifies: He gave me gun'
— 'Solomon announces citywide plan to combat homelessness in Jersey City'
EVERYTHING ELSE
SETON HELL — 'Alleged 'severe hazing, abuse and misconduct': Seton Hall hit with lawsuit over baseball program,' by the Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino: 'Seton Hall University, already embroiled in two lawsuits involving its previous president and an archdiocese-ordered investigation into its current one, was hit with another lawsuit Wednesday — this by a former baseball player who filed a complaint in federal court alleging 'severe hazing, abuse and misconduct' endured as a freshman in the program during August and September of 2024. The lawsuit by plaintiff 'John Doe,' obtained by Gannett New Jersey, names the Seton Hall University, its head baseball coach Rob Sheppard, and three former teammates.'
I SURVIVED THE JELLY ESCAPE OF 2025 — 'Black bear escapes enclosure at Turtle Back Zoo, but didn't get far,' by NJ Advance Media's Stephanie Loder: 'A Turtle Back Zoo's black bear named 'Jelly' temporarily escaped her enclosure on Thursday morning through an unlocked gate before the zoo opened to the public. The 20-year-old bear walked through an unlocked gate at the West Orange zoo and was discovered by staff in less than five minutes, according to a statement issued zoo official. Jelly didn't get far. The black bear was just a few feet from her enclosure in an area that is not accessible to the public, zoo officials said.'
MURPHY PLEDGES TOUGH NEW LINEN CONTROL MEASURES — 'Improperly secured linens at Bergen hotel caused guest injury in fall from bed, suit says,' by The Record's Kaitlyn Kanzler: 'A guest at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe is accusing the hotel of improperly securing sheets, causing the mattress to shift and her to fall on the floor and injure herself. Michigan residents Carol Rosenberg and her husband, David Ellison, filed a lawsuit saying that during their May 2023 stay, Rosenberg slid out of bed and was injured while sleeping in a 'handicap accessible' room. The lawsuit says the mattress shifted off the box spring or base and Rosenberg fell, hitting her nightstand with her head, face and neck before landing on the floor, hitting her back, legs and arms. The suit alleges that the hotel was neglectful and improperly maintained the room by failing to place the sheets properly or by using sheets that weren't the correct size.'
— '[Hackensack-Meridian] nurse alleges in lawsuit he was fired for pro-Palestinian speech'
— 'New Jersey's largest nurses union warns of a possible strike if hospitals don't provide safe staffing ratios'
— 'Rutgers-Newark's new chancellor is a cyber tech expert'
