| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Wednesday morning! The Democratic line lives! Just maybe by coincidence. Or maybe not. It depends who you believe. Jersey City Mayor and 2025 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop on Tuesday accused Essex County Democrats of “manipulation of the intent of the court for fair elections,” at least in the district of his likely 2025 rival, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Indeed, the sample Montclair ballot Fulop posted shows that every Essex County Democratic Committee-endorsed candidate got spot 1a on the primary ballot, effectively forming a, uh, line. So I called Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin, the man responsible for the ballot draw. Durkin said the drawing was random and pointed out that Essex County Democratic-backed candidates didn’t all get 1a in other places. In the Newark portion of Hudson County-dominated District 8, for instance, party-backed U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez drew 1C. In Bloomfield, the party-backed mayoral candidate drew 1B. But Fulop noted there’s only a small part of District 8 in Essex County and the Democratic leaders there care far more about Sherrill than Menendez. “The probability of that happening is so remote that it’s just not feasible,” he said. So what are the odds? Well, Durkin said that while there are three spots on the ballot for presidential candidates and/or delegates, only two are occupied by actual candidates. So by my math there was a 1-in-24 chance of this happening. That doesn’t seem too remote. But I’m bad at math. And based on all the other people I watched trying to figure the odds out, so are a lot of people involved in New Jersey politics. But then, you may remember that Durkin has been accused of ballot manipulation before in a lawsuit by Montclair GOP Chair Michael Byrne, who noted that he had drawn Democrats for the top spot on the general election ballot 18 years in a row — until 2023, months after he filed that lawsuit, when Republicans got the top spot. That lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice in February for lack of prosecution. (Durkin said those drawings were random). TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This has literally zero to do with any politics.” — Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday, in response to accusations from Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop that the state is threatening funding for the proposed Pompidou Centre in political retaliation for his backing off support for First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Senate bid. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Michael Testa, Bob Andrzejczak, Tim Stollery, Jay Butkowski, Jennifer Aydjian, John Saban, Thomas Segreto, Karl Weiskopf WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Newark at 6:45 p.m. for an announcement at The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice’s 25th Anniversary Event
| | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SEAGUHL-SADOVY by POLITICO's Ry Rivard — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities opened a new round of bidding for offshore wind farms Tuesday. The application period, through July 10, could result in the state approving wind farms large enough to power over three million homes. Winning bidders get ratepayer-backing for their projects and the state gets clean energy to help meet Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of having 100 percent clean power by 2035. “This latest solicitation is further proof of our commitment to building a strong and thriving offshore wind industry that will deliver undeniable economic and environmental benefits to our state, for both this generation and the next,” the governor said in a statement. Utility board President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said “we are committed to seeing the economic development that offshore wind is bringing to New Jersey and will continue to bring, as well as the clean energy that is so important for the residents of the state.” This opportunity for energy companies in New Jersey comes as the industry wrestles with ongoing uncertainty following the cancellation of multiple projects in New York and New Jersey and worries that a second Trump administration would freeze the industry for at least four years. Five projects were approved during the three previous rounds of bidding in New Jersey, though Danish energy giant Orsted has canceled two last year. The BPU application would penalize winning developers for backing out of projects by requiring them to post certain kinds of financial guarantees There are no offshore wind farms under construction in New Jersey or any wind turbines off the coast yet. DOUBLE NORCROSSED — “Camden mayor will host Baraka for Governor fundraiser,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen will host a high-dollar fundraiser for Ras Baraka’s campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in June, marking the first major defection among Camden County away from their favored candidate, former Senate President Steve Sweeney. The fundraiser, which will be held two days after the 2024 Democratic primary at a hotel on the Camden waterfront, has individual ticket prices ranging from $500 to $4,900 … For Baraka to win, he’ll need a huge turnout in cities like Camden, which is 53% Hispanic and 38% Black.” POLITICAL HAX — “Underwater cleaning robots. Ultraviolet disinfectant. Accelerator boosts NJ tech startups,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “Drug-free at-home depression treatment. Underwater cleaning robots. Ultraviolet disinfectant. A much smaller portable dialysis machine. These are some of the technologies developed at the HAX, a hub in Newark for startups looking to grow their presence in New Jersey. Known as an accelerator — meant to fast-track tech startups with a product idea into profitable companies — HAX is operated by Princeton-based SOSV, a global venture capital firm. State and local officials and SOSV executives held a ribbon-cutting for the center on Tuesday morning … ‘We've increased our likelihood that we will have the next big thing in New Jersey,’ Gov. Phil Murphy said in an interview Tuesday with NorthJersey.com. SOSV is committing to take 100 companies through the HAX program over the next five years and invest a combined $25 million in these startups, with an additional $25 million put on the table by the Murphy administration’s New Jersey Economic Development Authority.” —“Norcross, Camden Dems hosting Sweeney for governor fundraiser in June” —Opinion: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s corporate tax to fund NJ Transit should be derailed” —“N.Y. - N.J. Port Authority revenues are up over last year. Will the trend continue?” | | BIDEN TIME | |
HUGHES NEWS — “FAA reauthorization guarantees tech center stays in South Jersey,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s: “The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, set to be voted on by the House next week, includes guaranteeing that the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center will remain in South Jersey, said U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd. ‘I am thrilled to announce that our efforts to secure the FAA Technical Center as a permanent fixture in our South Jersey community have finally paid off,’ Van Drew said late Monday in a news release … In 2021, the FAA submitted a reprogramming request to split research and development, testing and evaluation, and labs and facilities into three separate organizations, each to be overseen from FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2021, the FAA submitted a reprogramming request to split research and development immediately drew bipartisan opposition from Van Drew and U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | IF YOU WANNA BE HER LOVER, YOU GOTTA GET WITH HER FRIENDS WAEL AND JOSE — “Bob Menendez’s wife was reported missing to cops by her other lover during secret trip with senator,” by The New York Post’s Isabel Vincent: “When indicted Sen. Bob Menendez first began dating his current wife, she vanished for a week — and was declared a missing person by cops because her other lover feared for her safety. Nadine Arslanian left the lights on and TVs blaring at her Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, home without even her children knowing where she was, The Post has learned. And she left a ‘weird’ typewritten note on the door for the man she was casually dating, that lover told The Post. She then secretly flew for a week-long assignation with Menendez, the New Jersey Democratic senator, in the Dominican Republic in the spring of 2018. … The couple were in Punta Cana, a seaside town in the Dominican Republic. The town is a short drive from Casa de Campo, an exclusive resort where Menendez had been a frequent guest of his former benefactor, Salomon Melgen. … ‘I asked her, ‘Why did you do that?'’ said Anton. “It was more about Bob wanting to be incognito.’” GETTIN’ LOOSE — Biden administration poised to weaken weed restrictions, a seismic shift from decades of harsh policies, by POLITICO’s Natalie Fertig: The Department of Justice will significantly loosen federal cannabis restrictions, marking the biggest shift in drug laws in more than half a century. The change follows a decade of seismic changes in cannabis policies across the country. … Cannabis is currently a schedule I drug on the Controlled Substances Act — the most severe classification, which means it is believed to have no medical uses and a high propensity for abuse. Heroin is in the same category. The DOJ decision would move cannabis to schedule III, which means it’s determined to have some medical benefits, as well as some potential for abuse. Once posted in the federal registry, the proposed rule to reclassify will undergo a public comment period before taking effect. The DOJ declined to comment. —“Gottheimer, Menendez, Norcross sign onto letter condemning columbia Palestine protests” —“Rutgers students join nationwide encampment movement with march, tents in Voorhees Mall” —“Princeton campus calm, pro-Palestinian protest continues” —“As U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill eyes fourth term, three Republicans hope to take her on” | | LOCAL | | BRICK BY BRICK CITY — “A blueprint for Newark’s housing future – and for other cities,” by Michael Gecan and Al-Tariq Witcher for The Star-Ledger: “Just a few weeks ago, two Rutgers professors at the Center on Law, Inequality, and Metropolitan Equity (CLiME) released a groundbreaking report that almost no one has heard about. Elana Simon and David D. Troutt gave their work a clunky title – “Empowering Public Property: Simulating New Housing, Economic Development, and Greenspace Policy with Newark’s City-Owned Property Inventory.” But don’t let that title stop you. The authors clearly and persuasively highlight the fact that the key to Newark’s renewal is hiding in plain sight: ‘City-owned property is a public asset that can be strategically leveraged as a policy tool to address Newark’s immense unmet needs for affordable housing,’ they wrote. … Their analysis “shows that affordable housing production could produce an estimated 2,568 units of affordable housing in standard zoning districts that permit residential uses.” —“Bhalla urges Murphy to nix $10.7B Turnpike plan ‘that will do far more harm than good’” —“Taking a stand: Jersey City mayoral candidate calls out Gottheimer, Menendez Jr. over calls to quash protests” —“A Mercer County group is helping make food pantries more accessible to people with disabilities” —“Burlington slated to open in downtown Newark” —“Antisemitic stickers, pamphlets left in [Hopatcong], cops say” —“Atlantic City mayor says Blatstein plans to build 1,000 units of housing” —“Atlantic City ballot harvester known as Q arrested for illegally taking COVID funds” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
AFFORDABLE WAREHOUSING— “Warehouse industry reports point to possible slowdown,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Jon Hurdle: “Recent data from state and industry sources shows a sharp slowing in the number of building permits issued for warehouse construction last year in New Jersey. Those sources also show a new rise in vacancies, and a lower rate of increase in rents for the giant buildings, which have been springing up throughout the state for several years. Analysts and companies that collect data on the industry say the breakneck pace of growth over the last several years can’t be sustained because supply from developers has already exceeded demand from customers.”
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY — “'A huge injustice' — mom, son sentenced to probation for lying in Long Branch murder probes,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Kathleen Hopkins: “Dolores Morgan and her son, Ted Connors, lived for decades under a cloud of suspicion in the violent deaths of Morgan's daughter and husband. Then, in 2020, about a quarter century after the deaths of Ana Mejia and Nicholas Connors, authorities finally charged the mother and son with the murders. But on Friday, now almost three decades after the killings, Morgan, 70, and Connors, 51, walked out of a courtroom with probationary sentences after having pleaded guilty to vastly downgraded charges. Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley sentenced both of them to two years on probation and the two years and nine days each of them had already spent in the Monmouth County Jail awaiting trial. The victims' other surviving relatives were not pleased. ‘At the end of the day, my father is still gone, and they get to go on living their lives with no consequences,'’ one of Nicholas Connors' daughters from a previous marriage said in a statement read in court by her son.” PAGEANT LAW — “Who owns Miss America? A former Atlantic City casino owner is suing for $20 million,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Nick Vadala: “Will the real owner of Miss America please stand up? A dispute over the ownership of the long-running beauty pageant is taking center stage after former Atlantic City casino owner Glenn F. Straub last week sued Miss America’s CEO for $20 million in Palm Beach County, Fla. Straub, who owns companies that acquired the Miss America Organization in 2022, claims in the lawsuit that he terminated Robin Fleming from her position as the pageant’s CEO in April, but that she claims to still be in charge. The lawsuit further alleges that Fleming has paid herself hundreds of thousands of dollars without permission, diverted business away from the company, and locked it out of important financial accounts. Fleming, however, claimed to be the ‘sole and rightful owner’ of Miss America in a statement posted to social media Monday.” —“'Brought us closer': North Brunswick mom and daughter graduating Rutgers on Mother’s Day” — “Bodycam video shows NJ Transit officers save choking child's life: "Stay with me, buddy!" —“Supervisor working on Hudson Bergen light rail projects admits nearly $500K in no-show pay” —“Simba, the beloved lion of Popcorn Park Animal Refuge died”
| | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
