| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! There are not really any Democratic candidates for governor who have no connections to a Democratic political machine that they didn’t create, save for maybe Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. But Josh Gottheimer is the only one in the field running as unabashedly pro-machine. His endorsement by Hudson County Executive and Democratic Chair Craig Guy, state Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian Stack and three other Hudson County mayors just emphasize it. The officials announced their support for Gottheimer’s not-yet-official bid in statements first reported by David Wildstein on Wednesday, just before the Menendez guilty verdict came in. That’s not the best timing, which Jersey City mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steven Fulop pointed out. But Gottheimer is only trying to reach a small audience. Fulop has been running as an anti-machine candidate. But he was long a part of the Hudson Democratic machine and had its backing before one of the semi-regular intra-county brawls. He lost it in part, according to some reports, because of perceived disloyalty over switching his Senate endorsement from Tammy Murphy to Andy Kim. But while so many of us have watched New Jersey’s Democratic fiefdoms take a huge hit with the loss of the county line, Gottheimer from the beginning has telegraphed that he’s there for them. That is, in my analysis, why he hooked up Middlesex Democrats with Neil Katyal to try to bring the line back. It’s probably easier for Gottheimer to court the diminished but still formidable power of the county Democratic machinery than to try to appeal to progressives who aren’t fond of his finance industry ties that help make him such a powerful fundraiser, or his opposition to policies like congestion pricing. In a statement, Gottheimer adviser Michael Soliman said: “Josh has never forgotten, for one minute, all of the Democrats, in town after town, who helped him get to Congress and fight for Jersey families. It’s that grassroots energy and organizing that’s elected so many Democrats across Jersey. As a huge supporter of the Democratic Party, Josh will continue to do everything he can to keep Jersey blue and elect Democrats up and down the State.” PROGRAMMING NOTE — I’ll be off next week, so my POLITICO colleagues will handle this newsletter. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at Mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Summer Clark, Antwan McClellan, Barry Bendar, Tom O’Neil, Jim Castelize. Saturday for David Giambusso, Gary Stein, Danielle Jones. Sunday for Susan Shin Angulo, Michael Chait QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Then he said ‘You should put on this collar like a little doggy, so I started barking like a good boy and I got a treat from President Trump.” — Stephen Colbert mocking Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s RNC speech WHERE’S MURPHY? — Heading to the similar but inferior state of Connecticut this morning for “personal travel” and returning to New Jersey in the evening | | | | The CNN-POLITICO Grill has quickly become a key gathering place for policymakers and thought-leaders attending the RNC in Milwaukee.
On Tuesday, POLITICO and Bayer convened two conversations: a discussion with Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) and an executive conversation with Bayer’s Jessica Christiansen, senior vice president and head of crop science and sustainability communications.
The conversations focused on the news of the day in Milwaukee, including deeper discussion centered on the critical challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
CATCH UP HERE | | | | | |  | MENENDEZ CORRUPTION TRIAL | |
CURTIS GUFFAW — Jon Stewart is on GOP Senate nominee's list to take Menendez's seat before election, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: What, no Springsteen? Republican Senate nominee Curtis Bashaw on Thursday recommended a long list of potential “statesman or stateswoman” New Jerseyans — all Democrats — to serve as placeholders if Sen. Bob Menendez resigns or is expelled after being convicted this week on 16 corruption-related counts. Among them is Jon Stewart, the Lawrenceville-raised comedian who recently returned to hosting "The Daily Show" for one night each week. “Should there be an open Senate seat, I am calling upon Governor Murphy to do the right thing and follow New Jersey tradition: rise above politics and appoint a statesman or stateswoman who will honorably carry out the duties of senator in caretaker fashion until New Jerseyans go to the polls this November to make the choice for themselves who their senator will be … me or Andy Kim,” Bashaw said in a statement. The placeholder would serve until Kim or Bashaw take office following the November election.
CALL ME ISHFAIL — “Menendez, ‘white whale for federal prosecutors’ for decades, faces planning for appeal — and prison,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Attorneys agree Menendez’s defense team has plenty they could argue on appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court has weakened anti-corruption laws in several recent rulings, including one issued during the seventh week of Menendez’s trial. In that opinion that split along party lines, the court’s conservative majority decreed that a federal anti-bribery statute does not cover ‘gratuities’ given as rewards for official actions, as long as the payment comes after the action. In Menendez’s case, prosecutors weren’t able to prove exactly when the senator’s codefendants Wael Hana and Fred Daibes gave him and his wife, Nadine, some of the cash, gold bars, and other bribes investigators linked to favors, while some came after the official actions at issue in his trial. His ‘official actions’ will also likely drive an appeal, said Tama Beth Kudman, who heads the white-collar defense team at Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner.” WINNER OF THE 2024 HUDSON COUNTY EXPELLING BEE — “Senate ethics panel could be key in push to expel Menendez,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin C. Hulac: “On the heels of the unanimous guilty verdict against Sen. Bob Menendez, the Senate ethics committee is poised to finish a separate investigation about the senator and potential wrongdoing. Results of that investigation would be likely fodder for proceedings needed to expel Menendez from the Senate, something with broad support from members, including Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat who sets the Senate’s agenda … In a joint statement after the verdict, Sens. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, and Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, the top members of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, said their committee started an investigation ‘immediately’ after the indictment of Menendez in the fall of 2023 ‘into the allegations of misconduct against him.’” — Snowflack: “The Menendez saga” — McDonald: Menendez verdict should serve as warning to New Jersey politicians — Menendez drama imperils Wall Street nominees | | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
I AM SHOCKED … BY THE ELECTRICITY PRODUCED AT THIS PLANT — NJ green-lights power plant that governor’s allies — and his wife — opposed, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration greenlit a gas-fired power plant to be built in the state’s largest city — over the objections of the city’s mayor and the governor’s wife. The decision, announced Thursday, will allow a fifth power plant in Newark city limits and puts the governor at odds with his typical allies who have argued the governor is ignoring his own environmental and racial justice pledges. It is being built in one of the most polluted parts of the state, a multiethnic Newark neighborhood known as the Ironbound, which is filled with industrial sites and surrounded by highways. The power plant — which will burn natural gas to generate electricity even as Murphy has pledged to rid the state of fossil fuels — is meant to provide backup energy to a quasi-state sewer agency that runs the nation’s sixth largest wastewater treatment plant … The governor and first lady put out dueling statements about the project on Thursday. The state Department of Environmental Protection announced its plans to approve the power plant following a multi-step regulatory process that began years ago. Its decision is not final.
NJ EAGER TO HOST FOURTH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM THAT CLAIMS TO PLAY IN ANOTHER STATE — “N.J. making serious push to lure Sixers to new arena in Camden,” by ROI-NJ’s Tom Bergeron: “The state of New Jersey is making a serious push to convince the Philadelphia 76ers to move to New Jersey and into a new arena that would be built in Camden, four people familiar with the discussions confirmed to ROI-NJ. The sources indicated that talks have picked up recently, in part because HBSE’s efforts to build a new arena in Center City Philadelphia have hit repeated roadblocks, despite the fact that the owners have indicated they would self-finance the $1.3 billion proposed project. The Sixers, whose current lease at the Wells Fargo Center ends after the 2030-31 season, have been looking for a new home for the better part of the past five years. And, while the opportunity to move to New Jersey may be seen by some as a negotiating ploy, it makes sense on a number of levels, the sources said, including: The Sixers’ team offices and practice facility already are in Camden, at a 66,230-square-foot facility that opened to much fanfare in 2016 … Sixers officials have acknowledged the difficulties of finding a location for a new arena, but they always have maintained a desire to stay in Philadelphia. They did so again when reached for comment. ‘We remained focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia, as we have been for the last four years,’ a spokesperson said.” —“For Murphys, quick trip to Germany was all about soccer — and selling” DANA REDD SUBMITS HER RESUME — Kolluri leaving Gateway, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: The top staffer at the bi-state agency building new train tunnels across the Hudson River is leaving. Kris Kolluri said he is stepping down as executive director of the Gateway Development Commission, a partnership of New York, New Jersey and Amtrak. Kolluri, a former New Jersey transportation chief, said in a letter this week that “it’s the right time” to leave so the next agency leader can oversee major construction, which is expected to begin this fall. “We built an organization from the ground up and recruited extraordinary and committed people to work on the Hudson Tunnel Project,” he said in a resignation letter. “The progress we have made together is historic, meaningful, and measurable.” DOES DEJON CUT THE MUSTARD? — “Eyeing Sampson’s seat, Jersey City BOE president considers run for state assembly,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “Jersey City school board President DeJon Morris, whose short tenure has been filled with controversy, is considering a run for a 31st District state assembly, saying current Assemblyman Will Sampson IV has failed Jersey City … The potential run in 2025 comes as the Hudson County Democratic Organization appears to be splintering into factions for and against Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is running for governor next year. ‘As I continue to advocate for our children, I am also considering the possibility of seeking elected office in the state assembly in 2025,’ Morris said in a Facebook post Wednesday. ‘I want to be transparent, but more importantly, I believe we need a voice in Trenton who prioritizes our children’s needs over political alliances.’ The 42-year-old Morris said he would happily join Fulop, calling him a great leader for more than a decade.” — “Truck drivers, kitchen workers demand extreme-heat rules” — “Heat wave ends, but NJ Transit says train cancellations will continue due to ‘extreme’ temps” — “School segregation lawsuit: Both sides ask court to extend mediation deadline” — “Select NJ Transit trains not operating due to heat-related rail equipment issues” | | | | Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE THIS SECTION HEADER — Biden in crisis, by POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn, Jonathan Lemire and Eli Stokols: — President Joe Biden’s reelection bid appeared to be nearing the point of collapse on Thursday, amid a cascade of warnings from the Democratic Party’s top leaders that they have lost confidence in his candidacy … Rep. Adam Schiff, the likely next senator from California who is close with Pelosi, became the 20th congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step aside amid “serious concerns” about whether he can beat former President Donald Trump. And House Democrats, party operatives and former administration officials who want Biden to step aside expressed growing optimism that the intensifying pressure campaign would finally crack the shell of defensiveness, denial and unwavering determination constructed around Biden — and that he and his most loyal aides may be starting to listen, said three people familiar with private conversations who were granted anonymity to describe them. Others viewed the leaks of the days-old conversations as a sign the petitioners have grown impatient.
—“People close to Biden say he appears to accept he may have to leave the race” —“Ex-Solomon COS Bustamante joins Kim campaign as statewide political director” | | LOCAL | |
ENRAGING GRACE — “Mayor writes excuse note for commuters late to work. Blame NJ Transit, she says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “The mayor of South Orange is asking employers to show ‘grace’ to New Jersey-based employees as they navigate a ‘failing’ NJ Transit system to get to work everyday. In an open letter released Wednesday, South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum asked employers to be compassionate with commuters who rely on trains to get to work amid heat-related delays and outages. ‘As you are likely aware from ongoing news reports, our public transportation system is failing us, specifically, those who depend on it for their livelihood,’ said Collum, who sits on the executive board of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.”
JACKSON: TO THE LOSER GOES NO SPOILS — “Jackson School District threatens to sue NJ over 'unthinkable' financial aid cuts,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “Faced with ‘unthinkable cuts,’ including the closure of an elementary school, the township's board of education is preparing to file a lawsuit against the state over a drastic reduction in financial aid over the last several years. School board President Giuseppe Palmeri on Wednesday announced that the board had authorized attorney Marc Zitomer to 'take appropriate legal action against the Department of Education to obtain funding and/or state aid advance that is required for us to provide an efficient education,' to the sound of applause from members of the public. ‘We hope this (lawsuit) can be avoided, but we do not remain hopeful, given the prior course of events,’ said Palmeri, wearing a T-shirt reading 'S2 failed Jackson.'” —Video: “Montvale mayor challenging NJ’s affordable housing law” —“Brick recreation director put fees in his own pocket, forged permits, prosecutor says” —“Passaic County claims fraud over purchase of $13M in security equipment for sheriff” —“Nation’s 1st Black-owned country club gets grant to preserve [Scotch Plains] course’s history” —“Small says preliminary agreement reached with CRDA, state on Atlantic City 'road diet'” —“Lakewood zoning dispute over catering hall takes a turn; lawyer wants to see guest list” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
SQUISHY FOR INTERIM U.S. SENATOR — “Worker pulls kitten from trash compactor, saves New Jersey cat's life,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Mason: “[Mark] Motta works for the Burlington County Regional Recycling Program. On July 8, he was doing his normal routine in South Jersey when he saw a kitten covered in oil in his waste compactor. The cat lover immediately sprung into action. ‘I work for a recycling company and went to check my hydraulics and saw the kitten pinned in the back of the recycling trucks crasher covered in oil,’ Motta said in a Facebook message. ‘So I shut everything off and climbed in the back of the truck to get her.’ Nothing good was going to happen to the kitten in the truck. But now, she's in great shape. The kitty, now named Squishy, is being fostered.”
—“129-year-old hazardous dam finally removed. Why hundreds of aging dams remain in N.J.” R.I.P. — “Long-time Asbury Park Press editors Jody Calendar and Dave May pass away”
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