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Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Spiller super PAC spent $8.3M just on canvassing
Presented by Good Thursday morning! The super PAC that's unofficially running NJEA President Sean Spiller's campaign for governor has spent as much just on canvassing as his rival candidates' actual campaigns are allowed to spend, period. Yesterday, NJEA critic Mike Lilley's group pointed out an odd-seeming $8.3 million in expenditures on the financial disclosure of the super PAC, Working New Jersey, which is funded with $40 million entirely by the union. All that money went to AP Consulting Firm in Newark, which as far as I can tell is a tiny company run by former Newark Board of Education member Ariagna Perello that specializes in tax prep. That's actually payment for Working New Jersey's field operation, according to the super PAC's spokesperson Eddie Vale. He said it's run by James Souder, who was briefly Newark's director of neighborhood and recreational services but stepped down amid an alleged nude photo incident and general dissatisfaction with his job performance, and later served as a legislative director for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, according to his LinkedIn page. Perello, he said, is administering it. Vale told me the canvassing operation is in all 21 counties. 'Working New Jersey's field program remains active in all of these counties as part of what is certainly the biggest GOTV operation, independent or otherwise, in the Democratic primary, especially now during early vote and the final six days of the campaign,' he said. 'Biggest GOTV operation' seems like an understatement. All five of Spiller's Democratic rivals are taking matching funds from the state, which basically limits them to spending $8.7 million. And while there are super PACs doing field work for some of Spiller's rivals, none of them approach $8.3 million. And that figure was with two weeks to go before the primary, so it will almost certainly be larger. By contrast, Ras Baraka's campaign has spent about $685,000 on canvassing through his brother Middy's consulting firm, and it broke down the expenses to include every person receiving the walking-around money. Or to make an even more stark comparison, Working New Jersey's field operation alone costs more than 24 times the roughly $342,058.84 Sean Spiller's campaign reported spending since he launched his campaign a year ago. Have I ever mentioned that our campaign finance system is absurd? FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Hoboken at 11 a.m. for a Unilever headquarters opening. In Newark at 1:15 p.m. for a 'ratepayer relief' announcement. And in Oceanport at 6:30 p.m. for a New Jersey Theatre Alliance gala. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'The whole thing is looking like the three-way standoff in the movie Reservoir Dogs. And that shoot-out turned out poorly for everyone involved.' — Princeton's Sam Wang and FairVote's David Daley on the Democratic primary in a Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed advocating for ranked choice voting. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Kevin Peng, Shereef Elnahal, Dan Harris, Charles Rosen. WHAT TRENTON MADE HE'S LITERALLY PHONING IT IN — 'Even Offstage, Trump Is Everywhere in New Jersey's Governor's Race,' by The New York Times' Tracey Tully: 'President Trump has played a starring role throughout the race for governor of New Jersey, thanks to his stronger-than-expected showing last November in the Democrat-led state. But his influence on the Republican and Democratic primaries, set for Tuesday, was impossible to miss this week. On Monday night, just hours before the start of early voting, Trump held a dial-in telephone rally for the candidate he endorsed last month, a Republican former assemblyman named Jack Ciattarelli, who is making his third run for governor. Ciattarelli was at the front of a five-candidate G.O.P. pack long before he earned Trump's backing. Still, if Ciattarelli wins Tuesday's primary and beats the Democratic nominee in November, the president will rightly be able to claim some credit. Only New Jersey and Virginia are holding races for governor this year, and the contests will offer an early gauge of voter attitudes toward Trump, five months into his second term as president. He seemed to allude to that looming scorecard on the call, reminding listeners that the race was 'being watched, actually, all over the world.'' — 'New Jersey primary sets up the first major fight for the Democratic Party's future' EVERYBODY'S GONE SURVEYING. SURVEYUSA — It doesn't really tell us anything about the primary, but a new poll conducted by SurveyUSA for the advocacy group Education Reform Now has some numbers worth looking at considering the dearth of polling. The poll of 576 likely voters shows Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer with the highest net favorability ratings of seven candidates for governor: All six Democrats and Republican Jack Ciattarelli (it did not ask about Bill Spadea). Sherrill is at +12 and Gottheimer at +13. Ciattarelli is at +4, Ras Baraka +3 and Sean Spiller +3. The two Steves, Sweeney and Fulop, are just barely in the negative, at -2 and -1, respectively. The poll also asked voters' attitudes towards President Trump. He's 44 percent approve to 53 percent disapprove, a -9 net favorability rating. It's not apples to apples, but that's worse than the 47-47 approval rating split in a recent Emerson poll, but significantly better than the -21 approval rating he had in a May 2017 Quinnipiac poll. See the poll questions and results here. The poll's credibility interval is +/- 6.1 percentage points. POWER — 'Utilities plan to delay (but not decrease) electric rate hikes for New Jersey customers,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Wayne Parry: 'New Jersey's main utility companies plan to delay steep increases in the price of electricity until the fall, but customers will still pay every penny of the higher rates, just spread out over time. Three utility companies say they have requested permission from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to defer the significantly higher rates brought on by the most recent supplier auction held by PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator … The steps proposed by the power companies, in response to a request by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, will be but a reprieve for customers; unless they qualify for financial assistance, they will still pay the full amount of the increases, but the cost could be spread out over as many as six months.' SKINT TAG — 'Murphy plans to axe summer tuition aid for college students,' by NJ Spotlight News' Hannah Gross: 'For a growing number of low-income college students, summer does not necessarily mean time off from school. The expansion of the Tuition Aid Grant program to include summer classes has allowed students to continue toward their degree at a lower cost — but this could be the last summer the financial aid is available. Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed budget does not include funding for Summer TAG, which has helped around 24,000 students in its first two years. At budget hearings, college presidents called for the Legislature to add $30 million for summer tuition aid to the budget for next year so the program can continue in summer 2026. This is one of several requests from higher education leaders, who are raising alarm about potential cuts at the state and federal levels. 'It's a perfect storm of disinvestment,' said Eric Friedman, president of Bergen Community College.' GOTTHEIMER — 'Former Gaza hostage Edan Alexander and his family support Democrat in tight N.J. governor race,' by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: 'Edan Alexander, the New Jersey native who was recently released after being held hostage for 19 months in Gaza, and his family wrote a letter supporting U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer as he runs in the state's tight Democratic primary for governor, now in its closing days, NJ Advance Media has learned. Alexander, a soldier for the Israeli army, on May 11 became the last living American hostage set free by Hamas. … The family wrote the letter a week after Alexander's release ... They said they were in Israel, 'embracing every moment of Edan's return to our lives.'' — 'Eleven towns that tell the story of New Jersey's Democratic brawl for governor' — Kean Sr.: 'We all lose without local news' — 'Goal of NJ school segregation suit is not to revoke home rule law, attorney says' — 'In school segregation case, New Jersey opposes appeal as think tank urges court to consider remedy' — 'New Jersey teachers bankroll the $40 million man' — 'New Jersey has given $37.5M in matching funds to governor hopefuls' — Pizarro: 'Critical Context on 'the Establishment' Candidacy of Mikie Sherrill' TRUMP ERA AN ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO FREE SPEECH — 'Surveilled, detained: Feds pursue Paterson woman a year after Gaza protest,' by The Record's Hannan Adely: 'Leqaa Kordia of Paterson said she soon found that the Department of Homeland Security was investigating nearly every aspect of her life. They interrogated her mother, uncle, a clothing store owner and tenants of an apartment that she briefly rented. … The scrutiny, described in a federal lawsuit, came nearly a year after her participation at a demonstration on April 30, 2024, outside the gates of Columbia University. New York City police arrested 119 protesters on and off campus that day, including Kordia, a Palestinian who had been in the United States since 2016. Although charges were dropped, the arrest put her on federal authorities' radar, the lawsuit shows. In March, the Department of Homeland Security announced Kordia had been arrested for overstaying her student visa. Kordia's mother had filed a family-based petition for her to become a permanent resident that she mistakenly thought gave her temporary legal status, her attorneys said. Today, she remains in Texas at the Prairieland Detention Facility, 1,500 miles away from her family, held in what her attorneys describe as 'inhumane conditions.'' — Testa: 'Don't let NJ Democrats distract you with their epic failures. Medicaid is safe' — 'CBO: Nearly 11 million people will be uninsured if GOP megabill becomes law' LOCAL FROM RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS TO A DARK AGE — 'Camden students bring concerns about budget cuts to New Jersey Department of Education,' by WHYY's P. Kenneth Burns: 'At least two dozen Camden students traveled Wednesday to Trenton to protest looming budget cuts being made to the state-run school district, voicing frustration and fear over what the reductions could mean for their education. And they didn't come alone. Community members and representatives from the Camden Education Association, New Jersey Education Association, NAACP New Jersey State Conference Youth and College Division and New Jersey Working Families Party also showed up to support the student-led rally outside of the New Jersey Department of Education building. … Several students spoke of their hurt that more than 100 people, including teachers and a cast of support staff, will be laid off to cover a $91 million budget deficit. The deficit was announced by state District Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs on April 30, along with a series of moves to balance the budget, including the layoffs. 'I am devastated,' said Kevin Duncan, a Camden High School student. 'There is no emotions and words that can describe this feeling that I'm feeling today.'' PATERSON — 'Paterson shootings down from 31 in 2024 to 20 this year,' by the Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'As summer approaches, Paterson has seen a significant decrease in gun violence in 2025, according to data released by the city police department on June 3. The city had 20 shooting incidents during the first five months of this year, compared to 31 over the same time period in 2024, a 35.5% reduction, the police department said. Meanwhile, the number of shooting victims in Paterson from January through May dropped by about 50% compared to the first five months of last year, when 41 people were killed or injured by gunfire in the city, officials said. The 2025 drop in gun violence has been unmatched over the past decade … Paterson PBA President Angel Jimenez attributed the drop in shootings to the violent crime suppression initiative, which uses overtime to assign extra officers to notorious trouble spots … As part of the state takeover, Gov. Phil Murphy's administration has allocated an extra $20 million for Paterson police operations, including millions spent on overtime to increase police presence on the streets.' 500-PERSON TOWN HAS ITS OWN POLICE FORCE, SCHOOL BOARD — 'West Wildwood could look to supplement cops, not disband,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: 'The Board of Commissioners will consider contracting with an outside police department to cover overnight shifts for its understaffed and overstressed police … On Monday, a report from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police on West Wildwood became public, outlining multiple problems with the department. They included serious staffing woes, along with raising concerns about procedure for handling evidence, training officers for leadership and responsibilities for investigation … But the conclusion of the report was that the department should be disbanded, contracting with Wildwood for police service. A group of West Wildwood residents does not want to see that happen. More than 200, out of a year-round population of about 540, are part of a Facebook group called 'Save the West Wildwood Police Department.'' MR. GUYBACHEV, PUT UP THIS WALL BETWEEN UNION CITY AND NORTH BERGEN — 'Hudson County officials celebrate a piece of the Berlin Wall coming to Secaucus park,' by Hudson County View's Daniel Ulloa: 'Hudson County officials celebrated a piece of the Berlin Wall that separated West Berlin from East Germany during the Cold War was installed in Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus yesterday. 'It's a powerful symbol of a world once divided: It marked the triumph of the human spirit, that moment changed the world,' Hudson County Cultural and Heritage Affairs Director Gina Hulings said at the ceremony. ... Hudson County Executive Craig Guy also expressed enthusiasm about the unveiling. 'This is an historic event, right? We have a piece of the Berlin Wall that comes all the way across the pond, all the way to Hudson County … It finds itself in one of the best parks,' he stated.' MANALAPOLOGY — 'Mayor's wife wrote apology letter after stealing $5K at housekeeping job, police say,' by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: 'The wife of a mayor in Monmouth County wrote a letter of apology to a friend she worked for as a housekeeper after the friend allegedly caught her on a security camera stealing cash, according to police. Jennifer Nelson, 52, of Manalapan, was charged with third-degree theft on May 22 for an incident that allegedly occurred a week earlier at a home in Freehold, according to police. The victim is identified in court records as Nelson's friend, and someone whose home Nelson cleaned for eight years.' — 'New Jersey primary 2025: Here's what to know about Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen's reelection bid and City Council races' — 'Turnout so far: 9% for Demcorats, 5% for GOP' — 'Ex-[Mount Arlington] councilman who took an envelope of cash from a secret hotel meeting will avoid jail' — 'Democrat running for Wayne mayor: My primary opponent is a 'lifelong Republican'' — 'Jersey Shore firefighter wins court battle over growing beard on religious grounds' — '[Salem City] man says he's fighting for justice after beloved bulldog dies in animal control custody' — 'N.J. suspends license of [Penns Grove] department's top cop over licensing dispute involving other cops' — 'Jersey City Police Officer Freeman is 6th candidate to formally declare for mayor' EVERYTHING ELSE THE CRUCIFIX IS IN — Lawmakers threaten Seton Hall funding amid new scandal, by POLITICO's Dustin Racioppi: Seton Hall University could lose $1 million in state funding over its handling of sexual abuse scandals. Two influential state senators said in a statement that they are 'no longer confident that Seton Hall deserves funding from NJ taxpayers,' following new allegations of sexual abuse and hazing in the school's baseball program. Those claims, detailed in a new lawsuit, follow POLITICO's reporting that the university hired its new president despite recommendations he not hold leadership positions because he didn't properly report sexual abuse allegations as a seminary leader. And even though the Catholic university's church leader ordered an investigation into how the new president was hired, Seton Hall has blocked a key witness from testifying, setting up a power clash at the country's oldest diocesan university. State Sens. Joseph Vitale and Andrew Zwicker said they are 'particularly disturbed' by that decision and are now 'confronted with allegations that go to the heart of the university's culture and failure of leadership.' — 'Sailor returned from combat to find his beloved dog was given away; he wants Archie back' — 'Decorative helicopter mishap cost American Dream over $20M, developer says' — 'Cliffside Cube? A new style duplex is rising in northern NJ. And it's everywhere'
Politico
14-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Sherrill's cash advantage
Good Wednesday morning! Before Ras Baraka's arrest at Delaney Hall, Mikie Sherrill and Steve Fulop seemed to be on the cusp of dominating the Democratic primary. Newly released campaign finance reports show just how different their strategies are. Sherrill as of May 9 was sitting on $4.7 million cash. Fulop: Just $787,000. They're both limited to spending $8.7 million in the primary because they're getting matching funds from the state. Sherrill has spent $4 million of that. Fulop has spent $8 million. Fulop has the least money on hand except for Sean Spiller, who's letting the NJEA's super PAC do pretty much everything for him. Spiller is not taking matching funds and has just $126,102.73 in the bank, not including the $28,000 he still owes to produce his campaign launch video. Josh Gottheimer, who's maxed out on matching funds, has $2 million in the bank, while Steve Sweeney has $2.2 million and room to take in about $1 million more. We won't know the details of what their super PACs are spending until May 30. But this leaves Sherrill with a lot more spending power in the final month of the campaign, and, but for Baraka's recent barrage of publicity, might have provided her a way to break away from the pack, which she narrowly leads in every public poll and every publicly released internal poll. Baraka has lagged most of his rivals in fundraising but has significant room to grow. He's only received about half the matching funds he's eligible for, and can spend another $3.7 million. He doesn't have much cash on hand — just $666,000 (a number I'm sure some of his critics see significance in) — but these numbers were as of his arrest Friday. His campaign was already fundraising off of it, so we'll see if it provides a significant boost. Baraka's brother and chief of staff Middy is running his field operation. Baraka's campaign has paid over $575,000 to his firm Bottom Up Consulting, of which $374,335 went to canvassers. I don't see any other campaigns paying 'walking around' money like that. But Baraka, unlike at least some his rivals, doesn't have a super PAC or county Democratic organizations doing field work for him. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY? 'Ask Governor Murphy' at 7 p.m. on your local NPR affiliate QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'The only thing he and I wonder about is, Why the hell did we fight in the first place?' — George Norcross on Gov. Murphy HAPPY BIRTHDAY —Britnee Timberlake, John Graham WHAT TRENTON MADE WILL ANYONE BE ABLE TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE? — 'New Jersey is facing a possible transit strike. Here's what to know,' by The New York Times' Patrick McGeehan: 'Most threatened transit strikes, like the last one in New Jersey nine years ago, do not materialize. But the tone of these negotiations has grown harsher as the strike deadline has neared. Last week, Mr. Kolluri questioned the 'mental health' of Thomas Haas, the general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, after the union's members overwhelmingly rejected a previous agreement. ... Mr. Kolluri has refused to increase New Jersey Transit's offer, saying that any extra pay offered to the engineers would have to be paid to all 14 of the agency's other unions. 'This is the deal that was offered, that he shook my hands on, that he negotiated, and now he has to live with his consequences,' Mr. Kolluri said. Mark Wallace, the national president of the engineers' union, said that Mr. Kolluri was not interested in reaching a deal. 'He's trying to vilify us with the citizens of New Jersey,' Mr. Wallace said.' 3M x 150 — 3M settles PFAS cases with New Jersey for up to $450M, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey is set to collect up to $450 million over the next quarter-century from 3M after the chemical giant agreed to settle several state lawsuits alleging its products contaminated water supplies, state Attorney General Matt Platkin said Tuesday. The settlement, which is subject to public comment and court approval, is the largest single clean-water-related settlement in state history, Platkin said. 3M admitted no wrongdoing. The company announced aspects of the deal Monday after attorneys worked throughout the nights over the last week to reach an agreement. The deal allows 3M to avoid a trial next week in a lawsuit the state filed over pollution at the Chambers Works site in Salem County against makers and sellers of the chemicals, also known as PFAS, that are linked to a variety of health hazards, including cancer. Platkin said the company knew about the chemicals' harm 'and yet 3M kept selling as much PFAS as it could.' BARABBA — 'Was Ras Baraka's arrest — a MAGAverse stunt — actually fuel for his campaign?' by The Record's Charles Stile: 'Everyone who found themselves in the ugly scrum in front of the Delaney Hall detention facility on May 9 got what they came for. President Donald Trump's masked Homeland Security henchmen, dressed as if they were entering the battle for Fallujah, needlessly provoked a peaceful protest by liberal Democrats into a chaotic, made-for-Fox News mob scene. … The moment gave Alina Habba, New Jersey's new interim United States attorney, a wobbly moral perch and helped the Trump MAGAverse toward realizing its dream of 'turning New Jersey red' — an aspiration Habba put forth in a podcast interview. … On the other side of the political chasm, Baraka, a Democratic candidate for governor, also achieved his public relations aims. He burnished his standing among the six-candidate field as the combative Democrat who is willing to take the fight to Trump rather than just talk about it.' —'Arrest boosts Newark mayor as he runs for governor' —'Newark mayor returns to ICE detention center, 4 days after his arrest' TA-DUM — 'How New Jersey landed Netflix,' by The Hollywood Reporter's Tony Maglio: 'Look what's growing in the Garden State. The Hollywood Reporter was on-site Tuesday morning when Netflix broke ground on its new East Coast home, Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth in central New Jersey. … The gigantic renovation project, in which Netflix will turn a long-abandoned U.S. Army base into a dozen soundstages, a backlot, state-of-the-art post-production facilities, general office space and basically 500,000 square feet of all things Netflix, was brought to you by one thing: tax credits. … Before a wrecking ball even thrice ceremoniously slammed into some random, already-crumbling decommissioned military building (we were provided with hard hats, thank you for your concern), and before the pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches were handed out to guests in attendance, including The Sopranos creator David Chase, Netflix had seven productions currently filming in New Jersey. In the coming years, that number is about to be a whole lot more.' —'ICE ups security at N.J. detention center as 'nice old ladies' protest nearby' —'Murphy says he doesn't expect to share who he supports in gov primary' —'New bill would remove some protections for temporary workers in New —'How would New Jersey's candidates for governor tackle NJ Transit?' —'Big, bitter moments in N.J. Democratic governor debate' TRUMP ERA ICED OUT — GOP proposal would boot 3 N.J. Democrats from House committees, by POLITICO's Nicholas Wu: Rep. Buddy Carter is proposing to strip three New Jersey lawmakers of their House committee assignments after they participated last week in a protest at a Newark migrant detention facility. The Georgia Republican introduced a one-page resolution that would remove Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman from the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rob Menendez from the Energy and Commerce Committee and Rep. LaMonica McIver from committees on Homeland Security and Small Business. 'This behavior constitutes an assault on our brave ICE agents and undermines the rule of law. The three members involved in this stunt do not deserve to sit on committees alongside serious lawmakers,' Carter said in a statement. BENEFITS — 'With Medicaid threatened, Kean's committee seat may cost him,' by NJ Spotlight News' Benjamin J. Hulac: 'People jockey and scrap to get seats on the Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most prestigious panels in Congress … Now that [Tom] Kean has a seat on the sought-after panel, it could become politically toxic. Republicans on Capitol Hill are assembling a massive bill to cut taxes primarily for high-income earners and corporations while slashing spending on federal programs for the public, notably to a broad array of social safety net services. Kean is one of 30 Republicans on the committee that will begin debate Tuesday and potentially pass legislation that could take away health coverage through Medicaid. … Kean's office did not respond to a request for comment about how he plans to vote or if he would try to amend the bill About 73,000 people in his district are enrolled in Medicaid, according to data from KFF, a health policy research group, the lowest enrollment number of New Jersey's 12 congressional districts.' —'Kean gives thumbs up to GOP's Medicaid plan' —'Here's how the proposed deep cuts to Medicaid would affect N.J.' BULLET PROOF VESTED — 'Federal law now strips convicts like Bob Menendez of congressional pensions. he's likely still getting one anyway,' by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: 'Under the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, members of Congress convicted of a variety of felonies like bribery, acting as a foreign agent, perjury, and racketeering had their congressional pensions revoked … But the act contained an enormous loophole: it would only take effect after a final conviction was reached, meaning that convicted ex-senators and representatives could drag out the legal process for years via appeals and retain their pension all the while. … Thus was born the No Corruption Act, which amended the law to strip pensions after an initial public corruption conviction rather than delaying it until a final conviction. … But that law, too, contains a loophole that Menendez can take advantage of: it only applies to convictions handed down after its enactment date of December 23, 2024. Menendez was convicted on July 16, meaning that because the House waited for a year and a half to take up the bill (despite it being so uncontroversial that it passed on a voice vote), its provisions don't apply to him.' I NEED A PIRRO! — 'Alina Habba weighs major career shake-up that could showcase her 'firecracker' personality,' by The Daily Mail's Katelyn Caralle: 'Alina Habba, 41, could be the next co-host of Fox News' The Five program. After a short stint as President Donald Trump's counselor, Habba left Washington, D.C., in March to move back to her home state and serve as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. But a White House source told Daily Mail that Fox News is eyeing Habba to replace longtime Fox star Jeanine Pirro on their hit weeknight show.' —'Democrats who 'stormed' Newark ICE facility could be stripped of committees in new House bill' — Another NY Republican unleashes harsh criticism of top tax writer over contested deduction —'House Republicans are targeting three districts for their Hispanic voters' LOCAL HACKENSACKED — 'Labrosse ousted in Hackensack with five insurgents winning easily,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse lost his bid for re-election to a fourth term, with a slate backed by the city's Democratic leader, Lynn Hurwitz, flipping five council seats in Bergen County's largest city by a wide margin. The 'Hackensack Unites' slate, which included Councilman Gerard Carroll, and newcomers Caseen Gaines, Agatha Toomey, Roberto Diaz, and Sonya Clark-Collins, will take office on July 1. Gaines, the top vote-getter on the winning slate, is considered the leading candidate to become the next mayor. A public school teacher active in his local union, Gaines helped the New Jersey Attorney General's office in their report aimed at combating bias and hate crimes among students.' — 'Results from May 13 municipal elections in Hackensack, Lyndhurst, Passaic and Cedar Grove,' —'Former Tenafly movie theater, which opened in the 1920s, being demolished' —'These North Jersey school districts cutting programs, raising taxes due to rising costs' —'Montclair CFO Who Won Settlement in Whistleblower Suit Parting for Piscataway' —'Ali: I won't take donations from any Jersey City contractors over the past 2 years' —'House explosion in Washington Twp. was a murder-suicide, say Gloucester County prosecutors' EVERYTHING ELSE GROUP HOMES — 'NJ group home staff are overburdened and underpaid, leading to care lapses,' by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak and Jean Rimbach: 'A caregiver left alone struggled to save four women with disabilities — only one who could walk unattended — when fire broke out at their group home. Another group home worker said she was 'thrown to the wolves,' forced to learn on the fly that one resident was prone to seizures and another would smear feces on walls. An aide with a criminal record pulled a knife on a colleague who confronted him for having sex on the job with a woman he brought to the group home. Workers on the front lines of New Jersey's group home system provide critical care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities amid chronic understaffing, low pay, and a lack of preparation and support that puts them — and vulnerable residents — in jeopardy.' HOBOKEN MAYORAL CANDIDATE SAYS SHE'S NO WEASEL — 'Are these mammals in the weasel family making a comeback in NJ? What to know about fishers,' by The Record's Kyle Morel: 'New Jersey wildlife officials are looking into the migration habits of a mammal that is making a comeback in the state after being driven out nearly a century ago. The fisher, a member of the weasel family more commonly found in the northern United States into Canada, is the subject of an ongoing research study by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The animal has been spotted in several areas north of Route 80 and west of Route 287 over the past two years, said senior biologist Peter Stark, a member of the division's bureau of wildlife management. … The animal was extirpated, or completely eliminated, from the Garden State early in the 1900s due to a combination of habitat loss and trapping, Stark said. … New York reintroduced fishers in the area of the Catskill Mountains in the 1970s, and Pennsylvania followed suit in the late 1990s, Stark said. Wildlife experts believe these two programs resulted in the animal reappearing in New Jersey despite no official reintroduction initiative of its own.' —'New cancer hospital with pinball machines, celebrity chefs aims to change patient care' —'$100 million New Jersey deli fraudsters father and son sentenced to prison' —'JPMorgan Chase announces another round of layoffs at N.J. offices'
