| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! Say what you will about Jersey City mayor and 2025 gubernatorial candidate Steve Fuiop — and a lot of people have a lot to say about him — but he is fully committed to running as an anti-machine candidate. Many insiders think this is a disingenuous campaign tactic. I sure heard from them yesterday. Fulop, after all, went with alacrity from pain-in-the-ass-of-the-machine councilmember to a top member of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. His gubernatorial campaign eight years ago was never official because it didn’t make it that far, but he did use the levers of government to pave the way for a campaign. And there was that anonymous $1 million super PAC donation. And this. And that's just the stuff I personally reported that I remember off the top of my head. But when Fulop declared his candidacy in April 2023, whether by foresight or luck, he chose the right moment to run as a burn-it-all-down anti-establishment candidate, even while initially gaining the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, which now under new leadership he’s once again trying to secure. And on Monday Fulop name-checked two of New Jersey’s most powerful unindicted Democrats: State/Essex County Democratic Chair LeRoy Jones and Middlesex County Democratic Chair Kevin McCabe. In his “Strengthening our Democracy & Meaningful Government Reform” campaign platform released yesterday, Fulop called out the two by name and accused them of “conflicts of interest” for being registered Trenton lobbyists while holding a “disproportionate influence over county commissioners and state legislators.” “Beyond the monetary conflict, there is a clear ethical conflict where many of these Democratic party chairs/lobbyists assume clients who are in direct conflict to the core democratic principles they espouse to voters,” the campaign document reads. “The conclusion is that they are either lying to their clients or lying to the public.” Jones told Dustin Racioppi that Fulop is on “a journey to try to reinvent himself.” “But he is a product of everything that he now attempts to try to reform,” Jones said. And I think as this campaign continues to move forward, we will get a very, very sharp and close look at Jersey City and the atmosphere that has been created in Jersey City, which I believe is a very transactional atmosphere,” Jones said. 2025 is going to be a great year for opposition researchers. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at Mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This legislation is essential for safeguarding the health of casino workers, many of whom spend their entire shifts just an arm's length away from smokers. As Senate President, you have the unique opportunity to advance this vital bill and ensure it receives the opportunity for the full Senate’s consideration, especially with such broad bipartisan support for the measure.” — A letter from five health organizations to Senate President Nick Scutari, urging him to post the casino smoking ban for a vote. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Leonard Lance, Henry Klingeman WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Washington until this afternoon. Acting Gov. Tahesha Way has no public schedule
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PROSECUTING UNDER THE INFLUENCE — “Can NJ elected officials influence criminal cases? Menendez trial tests question,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “The trial of Sen. Robert Menendez has shed a light on the gray area between politics and New Jersey law enforcement. Although the trial aims to determine whether Menendez is guilty or innocent of sweeping bribery and abuse-of-power charges arrayed against him, it has also raised a significant question: When is it appropriate for an elected person of power to discuss the status of a criminal investigation with the state’s top law enforcement officer? … According to trial testimony, Grewal … said he halted what he perceived to be an inquiry from former Gov. Richard Codey over the prosecution involving a former Mercer County Parks official accused of diverting taxpayer funds to a non-profit he controlled. And — although not named specifically — he cut off an inquiry in 2020 from George Helmy, the former chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, who reached out about the investigation of a North Bergen man whose case was complicating the passage of a landmark criminal justice reform.”
I LIKE REBUTS AND I CANNOT LIE BECAUSE I SWORE TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH — “One key unanswered question is whether the senator will testify in his own defense,” by The New York Times’ Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser: “After a month and a half of testimony from government witnesses, lawyers for Senator Robert Menendez this week are expected to begin rebutting the web of corruption charges facing New Jersey’s senior senator, once one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are likely to wrap up their case against Mr. Menendez by Wednesday. Mr. Menendez’s lawyers will then begin to call witnesses; they have said they might call as many as four dozen. … One key unanswered question is whether the senator will testify in his own defense.” —“Sen. Bob Menendez's Egypt trip planning got 'weird,' Senate staffer recalls at bribery trial” —Bob Menendez’s privacy problem
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NICK SCUTARI: REPRO MAN — Senate leaders mull constitutional abortion amendment amid reproductive rights push, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Top Senate Democrats on Monday floated the possibility of amending the state Constitution to explicitly support abortion rights as they announced a legislative push for reproductive rights. The legislative package was announced on the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe V. Wade. … Senate President Nick Scutari and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz announced the new bills — expected be introduced on Monday — bringing political might to the legislative push. Both Ruiz and Scutari said during a press conference that they would support amending the state constitution to explicitly protect abortion rights, although it was not part of the legislative effort they announced. … Some of the bills announced by Ruiz and Scutari reflect parts of Gov. Phil Murphy’s long-stated goals on abortion policy that he has not been able to pass the state Legislature, like eliminating cost-sharing for abortion on state-regulated health plans and codifying regulations that allow more health care workers to perform abortions. There are also new proposals, like student loan redemption programs for reproductive health care providers.
THE WHITE-HAIRED POWER RAGER — “George Norcross’ power: Real or imagined? Prosecutors highlight his reputation for hardball,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck: “When the CEO of a Camden nonprofit faced pressure from George E. Norcross III in a real estate deal, the executive remembered the power broker’s boasting, in a secret 2001 recording, of his influence across New Jersey. A prominent Philadelphia developer told investigators he’d swallowed his misgivings about getting into business with Norcross because he ‘understood him to be a powerful individual’ in the region. And another firm that held rights to develop waterfront real estate in Camden — property whose value stood to grow in the aftermath of the passage of a New Jersey tax incentive law — decided to sell its interests, offering a bleak assessment of its prospects in the city: ‘Political forces … will obstruct us at every turn.’ … Legal experts say the indictment’s emphasis on how others perceived Norcross suggests prosecutors could be planning to introduce evidence at trial documenting how his reputation was built — including a now infamous 2001 recording known as “the Palmyra tapes” in which Norcross was caught boasting of his influence and demanding in crass terms the ouster of a South Jersey municipal official. … But it could also open an avenue for the defense to argue that Norcross can’t be held responsible for the decisions of people who acted solely out of fear of who they thought him to be.” NURSING A GRUDGE — “N.J. nursing homes want $103M in state aid. Advocates say no way unless care improves,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “Lobbyists for the nursing home industry have delivered a dire message to lawmakers voting on the new state budget next week: give us $103 million to help pay our bills, or risk seeing more facilities close like the one did last September, giving 72 residents only hours’ notice to find a new home. The Healthcare Association of New Jersey and Leading Age New Jersey and Delaware, the top long-term care lobbying organizations, circulated a letter this month expressing worry ‘the needs of frail elderly seniors who require nursing home care may be pushed aside to make room for other spending priorities.’ … The plea also came with a controversial request. The industry representatives suggested scrapping the state’s ‘quality incentive payment program’ that rewards high-performing nursing homes with cash bonuses. That money should be spent on across-the-board rate increases, the letter said … The letter triggered fiery responses from some of the leading advocacy groups for older New Jerseyans, including the AARP and the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman.” DON'T TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONES — Fulop targets McCabe, Jones as he unveils plan to hold Trenton 'accountable', by POLITICO's Dustin Racioppi: New Jersey would broaden access to public records, establish ethics rules for county political leaders and increase financial disclosures for state lawmakers under a plan by gubernatorial candidate Steven Fulop. Fulop would also set term limits, reinstate pay-to-play laws and overhaul the state budget process. His plan takes direct aim at some of the state's most influential leaders, saying that "Trenton has repeatedly demonstrated that its priority is pleasing power brokers over the public good." "We're putting things out there without care about the political repercussions," Fulop, the Democratic mayor of Jersey City, told reporters Monday. "Some of it may be unpopular initially. But ultimately, we believe that I should be held accountable, the next governor should be held accountable." — New Jersey Liquor stores could sell hemp drinks under fast-moving hemp bill —“N.J. domestic violence offenders in 1 county would get electronic trackers under ‘Lisa’s Law’” — "Variety of family planning services added to abortion insurance bill" —“ACLU: Expanding access to reproductive health care is more important than ever | Opinion” —“Fulop plans to name lt. governor running mate this year” —“Sen. O’Scanlon: Murphy budget is another blown opportunity” —Conaway: “Proposed legislation puts New Jerseyans’ eyes at risk” —“On the table amid budget talks, tax relief for veterans” —“Norcross, the courts, and the governor’s race” | | BIDEN TIME | |
HE’S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF THE WRONG STATE — “House Democrat who launched group to protect incumbents endorses Rep. Bowman’s primary challenger,” by Mediate’s Sarah Rumpf: “In 2021, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) was a co-founder of Team Blue, a PAC dedicated to helping protect Democratic incumbents from primary challengers. This year, he’s endorsed George Latimer against embattled Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). Gottheimer’s endorsement isn’t that surprising when viewed in the broader context of Team Blue’s founding, which was described at the time to be aimed at helping Democratic incumbents specifically fend off challenges from the far left. … Gottheimer officially added his name to the list of Latimer supporters in a tweet Monday.”
—“Sherrill tag teams with Altman on the anniversary of Dobbs decision” —“NJ Congress members at odds over GOP riders to military policy bill” | | LOCAL | |
THE COUNTY IS NOW NAMED AFTER HUNTER BIDEN — “Malinowski wins Hunterdon Democratic chairman race in landslide,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Nearly twenty months after losing his seat in Congress, Tom Malinowski has returned to office as the new Hunterdon County Democratic chairman. Malinowski defeated Karen Becker, a state committeewoman, by a more than 2-1 margin, 112-54, to secure the party leadership post in his home county. The former two-term congressman and Assistant U.S. Secretary of State succeeds Arlene Quinones Perez, who did not seek re-election after eleven years as county chair. Malinowski takes on the leadership of a small Democratic organization in a solidly red county."
A CONSERVATIVE WITHOUT THE ‘SERVATIVE’ — “He couldn’t run as a Democrat. So he’s seeking write-in votes as an independent ‘MAGA candidate,’” by NJ Advance Media’s Karin Price Mueller: “A mayoral candidate who is facing federal fraud charges and who was denied a space on a local Democratic primary ballot when town officials couldn’t confirm his New Jersey residency said he is now running as an ‘independent MAGA mayor candidate.’ While William O’Hanlon’s proof of residency has since been accepted by local officials, his efforts to get on the ballot as an independent for mayor in Washington Township in Gloucester County failed. … Before making public his mayoral aspirations and unrelated to the election, O’Hanlon was named in a 13-count federal indictment in April 2023 alleging he ran a timeshare marketing scheme that targeted senior citizens.” BAD BAD. REALLY, REALLY BAD — “Paterson election fraud case delayed again as state waits to use high-tech crime lab,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “After more than six weeks, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has made no progress reviewing Councilman Michael Jackson’s cellphone as part of its election fraud case against the city official. In a virtual court session on Monday afternoon, deputy attorney general Frank Valdinoto said state investigators are still waiting to use a high-tech crime lab so they can check Jackson’s phone “in a controlled environment.” Valdinoto told Superior Court Judge Sohail Mohammed that there’s a long queue for use of the lab and said he would ask to have this review moved ahead in line. It’s not clear why state officials had not already made the high-profile election case a priority. Tuesday marks the four-year anniversary of when the AG’s Office filed its original election fraud charges against Jackson and Paterson’s current City Council President Alex Mendez in separate criminal complaints.” — “Paterson official claims harassment by clerk who wore body camera around him” —“Newark police detective arrested on multiple drug charges” —“[Piscataway] school district apologizes for erasing Palestinian flag from yearbook picture” —“CRDA set to reject Atlantic Avenue road diet” —“[Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland] counties merging jails to save money” —“Barnegat joins growing wave of school districts repealing transgender student policy” —“Jackson parents say closure of Rosenhauer school is 'heartbreaking'” —“Toms River joins with Lakewood to bus students to private schools” —“Boddy wins race for Warren Democratic chairman” —“Manalapan strikes deal after lawsuit, OKs 'flex-space' building near Monmouth Battlefield” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | | LABOR — “N.J. union discriminated against its Black members, AG alleges,” by NJ Advance Media’s Nicolas Fernandes: “The state Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against a local ironworkers union, alleging it created a hostile work environment and discriminated against Black members. The suit was filed against Ironworkers Local 11, a New Jersey chapter of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Union. It alleges the chapter’s management created a hostile work environment that included discrimination against members based on race, sexual orientation and sex. It also alleges that Raymond Woodall, the chapter’s business manager from 2008 to 2022, used racial slurs including the ‘n’ word, the word “shine,” as well as homophobic and sexist language. Local 11’s leadership took no action to stop or prevent the hateful language, according to the lawsuit.” —“Plumbers and Pipefitters local ousts Mike Maloney by 2-1 margin” DOWN THERE THEY CALL IT PORK RADIO — “As South Jersey faces severe weather, interest in ham radio surges in Gloucester County,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Gray: “Gloucester County Amateur Radio Club President Jonathan Pearce, 76, of Deptford recalls the ‘devastating’ 2021 tornado that ravaged through neighborhoods and ‘doubled over’ the radio facility’s approximately 70 to 80 foot antenna towers. … Two years later, bouts of severe weather that have continued to affect South Jersey — including a June 5 tornado warning in Salem County — are shedding light on the fragility of the modern digital communication networks and fgenerating increased interest in obtaining amateur radio certification, club members explain … Amateur radio operation, also known as ham radio, is an activity that involves radio communication for non-commercial purposes, and can be used to establish communication networks in virtually any location during emergency situations. ‘If we have a widespread failure of the cell phone network, for example, and the internet goes down, we can still communicate via ham radio,’ said Christopher Prioli, 68, of Pitman” —“More nurses at the bedside: NJ unions bargain for better staff ratios”
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