| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Monday morning! By now you’ve probably heard the bombshell of bombshells: First Lady Tammy Murphy dropped her Senate candidacy, making it extremely likely that U.S. Rep. Andy Kim will be the Democratic nominee to replace Bob Menendez and, let’s face it, the next senator. The announcement came the day before the filing deadline, and at the start of the week when U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi was expected to release a decision on the constitutionality of the county line. It’s remarkable what Andy Kim has pulled off. When he announced his candidacy the day after Menendez’s Sept. 23 indictment, I thought he would be just one of many New Jersey politicians digging Menendez’s political grave to jump into his seat. But Kim’s timing was perfect. He got up and running early, his toughest would-be rivals opted out to run for governor instead, and he excited the party base while Tammy Murphy was still working the phone with the power brokers and trying to project an air of inevitability. Murphy had the bosses on board but not the rank-and-file, who got passionately behind Kim and were often outright hostile to Murphy. His campaign became a rallying point for progressive Democrats and others to revolt against New Jersey’s Democratic power structure that had benefited people like Menendez, where a handful of county chairs make decisions about who gets “the line” and with it, in most cases, nomination. Now even the future of the line is uncertain. On Sunday, the 41-year-old Kim told reporters he would keep pressing his lawsuit against the line and would not withdraw his request for an injunction for this election. But he’s gone from being a rebel to the de facto Democratic Party standard-bearer. And now he’s in the awkward position of accepting all of the party lines while at the same time trying to end them. During the Murphy campaign meeting Sunday, the five Democratic leaders in the room — State/Essex County Chair LeRoy Jones, Passaic County Chair John Currie, Somerset County Chair Peg Schaffer, Bergen County Chair Paul Juliano and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy — each asked and got personal assurance from Kim that he would run on their lines. Kim acknowledged this during a virtual press conference yesterday. "This is not a system I want to participate in. I think it’s unfair. That’s why I’m trying to change it," Kim said, adding that he'll still take the lines because of a "risk" that "someone else might get an advantage." That’s got to be awkward. It means, for instance, Kim will likely run on the same ticket with U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez in the 8th District against Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Though their alliance had not been formalized, Kim and Bhalla were fellow travelers in this campaign. I also can’t help but wonder what happens to Gov. Phil Murphy’s political juice after this. Party bosses got behind his wife, incurring so much wrath for a candidate most weren’t excited about, and for an office that matters less to them than a county commissioner seat. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Instead of talking about process and politics, my campaign has been about solutions for families and a vision for the next generation.” — Tammy Murphy in her video dropping out of the race. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Bob Smith, Dan Kaufman-Berson, Claire Wolfe, David Spector. WHERE’S MURPHY? — Nothing on his public schedule. | | A message from Alibaba: U.S. companies sold $66 billion worth of goods through Alibaba in one year, supporting American jobs and wages. Phyto-C, a small business based in New Jersey, grew revenue 600% after launching on Alibaba. Now, the company is expanding locally. In New Jersey alone, U.S. sales on Alibaba added $1.3B to the state's GDP while supporting over 10 thousand full-time jobs. Learn more about Alibaba’s impact. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
CALIFORNIA WILL WANT TO BE THE NEW JERSEY OF THE WEST — This New Jersey mayor wants to be a governor like Ron DeSantis or Gregg Abbott — but for the left, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Ras Baraka couldn’t be less like Ron DeSantis or Greg Abbott. A Black Democrat raised by activist poets, he is the mayor of New Jersey’s largest city, Newark, and proclaimed it a sanctuary city in the Trump era, ran a guaranteed income program and expanded opportunities to vote. But he sees a chance to be like the Republican governors of Florida and Texas in one way. If he’s elected governor next year, he says he’d push New Jersey further left and make it a liberal trend-setter in the same way the two red-state governors have held such influence on national issues like immigration and sex education. “We could be a proving ground,” he said in an interview this month near Newark City Hall.
ED THE FARMER — “Farmers pick Wengryn as N.J. secretary of agriculture, and Murphy approves,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “New Jersey’s bizarre method of picking its Secretary of Agriculture — industry leaders pick the person who serves in the governor’s cabinet — continues, with the selection of Ed Wengryn, a 26-year staffer at the New Jersey Farm Bureau, to fill the post vacated a mere nine months ago when Douglas Fisher retired. The New Jersey Board of Agriculture picked Wengryn [Friday] morning, and Gov. Phil Murphy has approved the appointment ... He becomes the state’s eighth Secretary of Agriculture since the post was created in 1916 and continues an uninterrupted string of white men holding that particular post — interesting only because of Murphy’s eagerness to break glass ceilings.” —“New Jersey educators plead for changes in state aid formula, additional funds as cuts loom” —Snowflack: “Radio Hosts, newsmen, and the GOP race to restore order” —“World Cup final coming in 2026. Here’s the latest on N.J.’s big plans to be ready for it” —“Gov. Murphy, you must not allow the Legislature to decimate transparency, OPRA — Opinion” | | | | Access New York bill updates and Congressional activity in areas that matter to you, and use our exclusive insights to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
STILL RELEVANT — The future of New Jersey politics is on the line, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Sen. Bob Menendez was the quintessential New Jersey Democratic machine politician. Now he may have inadvertently become the biggest reformer Garden State politics has ever known. Menendez’s scathing federal corruption indictment in September unleashed a chain of events that’s led to state leaders talking about sweeping ballot reform and a federal judge weighing whether to force wholesale election changes. New Jersey may be on the cusp of fundamentally rewriting the way state politics has been played for a century. "I’m struggling to think of any state in the country that’s experienced anything like the political earthquake of what I would think this would be,” said Scott Salmon, a Democratic election attorney. It was all unthinkable six months ago. The Menendez indictment landed — with its claims of favors exchanged for gifts, wads of cash and gold bars — and touched off a scramble for his seat among fellow Democrats. Three-term Rep. Andy Kim immediately jumped into the primary. New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy followed. Then all hell broke loose.
BEACH EROSION — “The bullies in Camden, and the rot in the Democratic Party,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “[T]he bullies in Camden set up a fake election to hand [Tammy Murphy] the win, one that only Vladimir Putin could love. And this time, there’s video. It shows five burly white men standing shoulder to shoulder to physically block a determined Latina woman running against Murphy, Patricia Campos-Medina, who wanted only a chance to speak for a few moments, to make her case to the delegates before they voted … The Camden organization is run by George Norcross, the Dark Lord of South Jersey, the unelected boss who plays to win, and doesn’t give a damn about fairness. He wasn’t standing with the bullies last weekend, but he’s the wizard behind the curtain working all the levers. I wanted to ask him about it, but I understand why he declined. What is he going to say? This stuff is indefensible. (His vassal, chairman James Beach, a state senator, reminded me that Camden conventions are open only to ‘members and invited guests.’) The bullying, along with the outrageous fact that several county chairs pushing for Murphy have personal financial interests in staying on good terms with the governor, have fueled the protests against the line. But would that really solve the problem?” — “Tammy Murphy, who wants to replace Menendez, hired a guy who worked for a Menendez codefendant” R.I.P. — “Martin Greenberg, former senate judiciary chairman, dies at 92” —Platkin: “Senate attacks on Muslim appellate court nominee Adeel Mangi are vile” —“Tammy Murphy wins Democratic convention in tiny Salem County” —“Kid-friendly rivals Murphy and Kim want your vote” | | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
UNENCUMBERLAND — “Cumberland County Democrats in chaotic war for control of endorsements,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “There’s a fight for control over the Cumberland County Democratic Party, with a breakaway group trying to end the ability of the county chair to decide who gets the county line. On Thursday night a group of county committee members — including the Millville and Bridgeton municipal chairs and the Vineland vice chair — met and voted to amend the group’s bylaws to stop giving the chair ‘the sole unencumbered discretion’ to award the party slogan … The breakaway group, which claimed it represents a quorum of the Cumberland County committee, also voted to replace Chair Kevin McCann and Vice Chair Bonnie Martin, as well as to remove the steering committee, according to a news release signed by six municipal chairs and three vice chairs … McCann said in a statement on the county committee web page that the meeting was not legal and no action from it would be valid.”
BIG BOSS MAN — “Jerry Speziale says his Independent slate will fight Passaic County's 'party bosses',” by The Record’s David M. Zimmer: “Speziale announced that a full slate of county commission candidates have joined his ticket for sheriff in the June 4 primary to oppose the candidates supported by party boss John Currie and other Democratic Organization leaders … ‘Our entire team believes in a Passaic County that works for everyone and not just the whims of the county machine bosses,’ said Speziale, the Paterson Police Department director. ‘New Jersey needs to wake up and stop letting a few party bosses dictate to them, and our team is running in this election to bring real representation to the people of Passaic County.’” SUE AC — “Former purchasing director sues Atlantic City Housing Authority, two leaders,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “A former department director sued the Atlantic City Housing Authority and two of its leaders Friday, alleging he was fired in December as retaliation for complaining about unlawful contracting and procurement practices there. Robert Campbell, 69, was hired by former Executive Director Matt Doherty in July 2023 and fired by the Housing Authority board about three months after the board fired Doherty … ‘When Matthew Doherty took over as executive director in May of 2023, he discovered there were significant irregularities concerning the processes with which the housing authority entered into contractual agreements and procured goods,’ the lawsuit states. SECRETCAUCUS — “Secaucus superintendent placed on leave,” by Patch’s Carly Baldwin: “The superintendent of the Secaucus school district was just placed on paid leave. The decision to suspend school superintendent Erick Alfonso was made by all the elected members of the Board of Education, except for one, Lance Bartletta. For unknown reasons, Alfonso has been suspended with pay, his $180,000 yearly salary. All the Board would say at the very end of their Board meeting Wednesday night was that an unnamed employee would be suspended, with pay, while they were investigated by the board. The decision to put Alfonso on leave was given a ‘yes’ vote from the entire board with the exception of Bartletta, who walked out of the meeting, joined by Alfonso, just minutes prior to the vote. The school district is also not informing parents this even happened. As of midday Friday, the school district has yet to send any emails to parents letting them know that Alfonso, the head of the district, has been placed on leave.” MILLVILLE — “Millville’s first woman mayor resigns, citing medical reasons,” by LeHighValleyLive’s Glenn Epps: “After two-and-a-half years experiencing incessant personal attacks via social media, Millville’s first woman mayor announced that she was resigning, effective immediately. Now-former Mayor of Millville Lisa Orndorf cited ‘medical reason’ as the cause for her abrupt departure from her role on Tuesday night … During her resignation message to the public, Orndorf highlighted several events that spoiled her tenure. She noted that she was lambasted for taking personal days ‘on the golf course,’ not knowing fine details when asked by the public and had her qualifications questioned because she was ‘a few days late’ paying her personal utility bills. “I’m sure I’m not the only person who has paid a bill late due to a tight budget,” she said. “However, week after week, month after month, these critiques have yet to stop and this position is now adversely affecting my health ... stepping down is necessary for my health and my family.” SOUTH ORANGE MISSES OPPORTUNITY TO RENAME ITSELF ‘WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP’ — “The quirky, bureaucratic reason this N.J. town just changed its official name,” by NJ Advance Media’s Richard Cowen: “Since 1977, what most people know as quaint South Orange Village has been officially known by the clunky name of The Township of South Orange Village. Blame it on bureaucracy, which enticed the village Board of Trustees to change South Orange to a township 46 years ago so that it could qualify for federal grants. Those federal grants were doled out long ago and the rules have changed. The village no longer has to call itself a township in order to qualify for federal money, so on March 11, the village Board of Trustees adopted a charter change that lops off ‘township” and restores the town’s original name, South Orange Village, adopted in 1869. ‘The fact is, we were always a village, and we will stay a village,’ said village President Sheena Collum, who led the drive for the charter change.” R.I.P. — “'Devastating': Passaic vice principal, husband die after March 16 car crash” —“Jackie Robinson’s family offers to fund ball field at Liberty State Park” —“Paterson cops face these challenges as a second year of NJ attorney general control begins” —“CRDA rejects its first cannabis plan” —“State Senator Mukherji endorses former Gov. McGreevey for Jersey City mayor” | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
USE OF FORCH — “New Jersey marijuana activist ‘NJWeedman’ accused of attacking man with fire extinguisher in Florida,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Robert Moran: “Ed Forchion, the popular New Jersey marijuana activist known as NJWeedman, is free on a bond after allegedly hitting a man twice in the head with a fire extinguisher during an altercation outside a nightclub last month in Florida. The 59-year-old Forchion was arrested Tuesday and appeared the following day before a judge in Miami-Dade County, who ruled that there was no evidence supporting the most serious criminal charges, including attempted felony murder. He was released on $2,500 bond, according to online court records in Florida … Michael Mirer, Forchion’s lawyer, said the judge was shown video of the altercation and released Forchion. ‘She specifically found there was no probable cause for his arrest on attempted felony murder and burglary with a battery and released him outright on those counts,’ Mirer said.”
HOT COFFEE, WARM HEARTS — “Inside the N.J. coffee shop celebrating Down syndrome, the ‘beauty of being different’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Nyah Marshall: “When Amanda Vellon opened the Inclusion Coffee Shop — the only café in the small borough of Elmer in Salem County — her goal was to live up to the restaurant’s name and welcome the community. As customers walked into the shop on a recent morning, they walked by cheerful walls decorated with positive affirmations and were greeted by equally cheerful employee Anthony Tarquinio, who has Down syndrome. Claire Wells, who also has Down syndrome, took orders and helped prepare the shop’s signature coffee drinks and breakfast sandwiches … Vellon, opened the coffee shop on Main Street in April 2022, about a year after giving birth to her fourth child, Rome … Rome had a heart defect associated with the genetic disorder Down syndrome … Motivated by her family’s experience with Rome, Vellon reopened the establishment, naming it the Inclusion Coffee Shop — and vowing that the restaurant would employ and create a welcoming environment for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.” GENOVA BURNED — “Raj Parikh, seven other partners leave Genova Burns to start new firm,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Eight partners from Genova Burns, including election law powerhouse Raj Parikh, are departing tomorrow to open their own firm, PEM Law, the New Jersey Globe has learned. Kathleen Barnett Einhorn, the chair of Genova Burns’ commercial litigation department, and Charles J. Messina, the co-chair of the firm’s franchise & Distribution, Agriculture, and Cannabis Industry law groups, are joining Parikh at PEM Law … PEM Law [opened] its doors on Saturday morning at the former offices of Wolff & Samson in West Orange.” —“Battleship New Jersey leaves pier for first time in more than 20 years” —“Camden’s first TEDx conference tackles privilege, deep fakes, quantum physics and healing a touch-starved generation” | | A message from Alibaba: New Jersey businesses such as Phyto-C are among the thousands of American brands with access to over one billion global consumers on Alibaba’s online marketplace — generating $66 billion in sales in 2022.
Phyto-C grew revenue 600% after launching on Alibaba. “Partnering with Alibaba was an important business strategy for our family-owned business,” said Dr. Eddie Omar, CEO of Phyto-C. “They opened the door to the world’s largest and fastest growing skincare market.” Now, the company is expanding production in Hawthorne and hiring more employees.
The result: American brands selling on Alibaba benefits communities across the U.S. In New Jersey, sales on Alibaba added $1.3B to the state GDP and supported over 10 thousand full-time jobs in one year.
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