| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Sean Spiller: The $35 million man? A new independent expenditure group registered with the Election Law Enforcement Commission calling itself “Working for New Jersey” and it plans to get involved in the 2025 Democratic primary election for governor. Daniel Han spotted it on ELEC’s website. You might recognize the name of the chairperson: Ed Richardson, the retired executive director of the New Jersey Education Association. Former NJEA spokesperson Steve Wollmer is listed on the document. Former Montclair Education Association President Gayl Shepard is the treasurer. Are you seeing a pattern here? (The one name not on the document never affiliated with the NJEA is Democratic political operative Craig Varoga, who’s listed as “deputy treasurer.”) Now get this: Would you believe that Sean Spiller, the NJEA’s president and until recently the mayor of Montclair, is running for governor as a Democrat? Must be a coincidence. Because Working for New Jersey doesn’t name anyone specific in its mission statement: “To make independent expenditures supporting the election of a governor for New Jersey in 2025 who supports public education and working new jersey families and who understands the struggles and needs of everyday people.” Here’s the jaw-dropping part of the document: The group estimates it will spend $35 million on the election. To give you some context, candidates for governor participating in the matching funds program are limited to spending $8.7 million — a quarter of that amount — in the primary. Where will that money come from? I can only guess. I asked the NJEA, which has already endrorsed its president for governor, if they plan to contribute to the new group. Spokesperson Steve Baker said the union "will be proud to support organizations that state very explicitly that they plan on making independent expenditures that support the election of a governor for New Jersey who supports public education and working New Jersey families and who understands the struggles and needs of everyday people." Even after a period of inflation, $35 million is a really immense amount of money to throw at a gubernatorial primary. Of course, just because they estimate they'll spend that much doesn't mean they will. But considering the union has a ton of money and put millions behind Spiller's candidacy before he even declared, it seems at least somewhat realistic. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He has cowed them all into being afraid of saying anything. … Our party has just completely caved, strategically and tactically.” — Chris Christie on Donald Trump NOTEWORTHY — Sen. Menendez’s resignation is effective today. WHERE’S MURPHY? Out of state. He was in Chicago for the DNC on Monday.
| | | | Did you miss it? This month, POLITICO and AARP NY convened New York lawmakers Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), and industry experts to discuss the impacts of changing social security measures on New Yorkers. The conversations focused on the the future of Social Security, how the the 2024 elections could change the options and how Social Security impacts the housing crisis facing aging New Yorkers. Watch the highlights here. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
THE FAZZ AND THE CURIOUS — “Former Burlington City mayor running longshot campaign for governor,” by New Jersey Globe’s Zach Blackburn: “Fazzone, the former mayor of Burlington City who lost a state Senate election last year, is seeking the GOP nomination for governor with a small campaign that hasn’t yet garnered much attention. Fazzone appears to have launched his campaign with a July Facebook post, but he hasn’t yet filed to run with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. The former mayor is also a former Democrat—he switched party affiliation in 2015 after clashes with the Democratic-controlled city council—and he is a longshot to win the gubernatorial nomination against several more established Republican contenders. Fazzone’s campaign is largely based on Facebook and TikTok, with one clip showing him speaking before Lucy The Elephant in Atlantic County”
N.J. DEMS HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON — “A wake-up call for N.J. Democrats,” by Ryan Spain for The Star-Ledger: “Over the past few months, some of the most powerful, statewide actors have either been indicted or convicted of high crimes. A longshot candidate, Rep. Andy Kim, confronted substantial opposition, defied the odds, and won our party’s nomination for the United States Senate. And perhaps most significantly, the use of our decades-old county line voting system – a boss-dominated system antithetical to democracy -- was scrapped. As the Democratic National Convention opens tonight, New Jersey’s Democrats should use this moment to recalibrate -- to re-evaluate the contours of our state’s political landscape and rethink how we can move forward in a more meaningful and responsible way.” —“BPU vacates Ocean Wind decisions months after Ørsted walks away from project” —“NJ police have shot and killed 5 people this year” —Editorial: “This case is alarming: Is the AG’s corruption office up to the job?” —Cassino: “What does the history of rail service in New Jersey tell us about its ongoing dysfunction?” —“Developing EDA program could make up to $100K available to those trying to obtain dormant liquor licenses”
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KIMSULT — “Did Murphy cost NJ clout in Congress by not picking Kim?” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin Hulac: “By picking former staffer George Helmy to fill one of New Jersey’s seats in the U.S. Senate, Gov. Phil Murphy may have undercut the state’s clout in Congress and could have complicated a key judicial goal of the Biden administration … ‘I think it’s rather malicious to deliberately not appoint Andy Kim, and it’s bad for the state,’ Ross Baker, distinguished professor emeritus of political science at Rutgers University, said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. ‘It seems spiteful.’ The longer someone serves in the Senate, the more seniority that senator gains. Seniority is how the Senate determines who gets to sit on what committees, and the longer senators serve in Washington, the higher up the committee ranks they climb. If Murphy had picked Kim to take over the Menendez seat — Menendez has said he will resign Tuesday — Kim would enter the chamber with more seniority than anyone elected to the Senate in November, assuming he wins outright in the election.”
—“Kim visits Hudson Pride Center in Jersey City, holds roundtable with LGBTQ+ leaders” —“Booker will serve as DNC co-chair” —“McKeon: One delegate’s reflections on the start of the DNC” —“Kean wants Secret Service to reimburse local governments when presidents come to town” | | LOCAL | | FORT LEE — ”Critics: Video of police fatal shooting ‘very, very troubling’,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Brenda Flanagan: “Fort Lee Police body-cam videos show a rapid escalation in officers’ response to a July 28 call for help, with a young woman in the throes of a mental health crisis. In the end, only about 10 seconds elapse between the final door-knock and the fatal gunshot that killed 25-year-old Victoria Lee. ‘I look at that video, and I see a scared young woman who’s well aware of the risks of encounters with police, who’s experiencing one of the worst moments of her life,’ said Amber Lee Reed, who advocates for New Jersey’s Asian American/Pacific Islander community. She said a growing chorus of critics claim that police overreacted to Lee’s mental health meltdown and that the body-cam video — released Friday — only underscores their concerns.” —Editorial: “Victoria Lee death proves NJ needs new police protocols people in mental health crises” HOLM IS WHERE NO HEART IS — “Neighbors' lawsuit failed, so Holmdel tries new tack to make dementia care village go away,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Olivia Liu: “The township is looking to buy Potter’s farm nearly two years after the zoning board approved a $12,000-per-month dementia care village on its site, located off the Garden State parkway’s Exit 114. The dementia care village, originally called The Enclave at Holmdel and renamed Avandell, was approved in a 5-2 vote. The plans were designed to mimic the normalcy of everyday life, as residents with dementia would live in a secure environment. Within its perimeter, it would contain a grocery store, restaurant and theater for its 105 residents. The plans were envisioned by the healthcare nonprofit United Methodist Communities and based on an urban dementia village in the Netherlands called Hogeweyk.” TOMS RIVEN — “Toms River mayor who fought with police chief now searching for his replacement,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Police Chief Mitch Little has announced his retirement, ending an eight-month battle with Mayor Daniel Rodrick's administration over police promotions and staffing. "TRPD family, after 39 years and 11 as chief, I knew this time would eventually come when I have done everything I could for the agency and my presence would actually be a detriment and prevent any movement with hires, promotions and even equipment," Little said in a statement posted to Jersey Coast Emergency News … Rodrick said that his administration plans to hire a new chief and will be interviewing the department's lieutenants as potential candidates for the job … The mayor also disputed Little's statement about promotions, saying that the chief never emailed the mayor or Business Administrator Jon Salonis his suggestions for people to promote.” DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND TRIALS — “Family of Russell Graddy sues to stop new owners of Mr. G's diner from using the name,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “The family of the late Russell Graddy — a prominent Paterson civil rights, political, and business figure — has filed a federal lawsuit trying to stop the new owners of his diner from calling the business ‘Mr. G’s.’ The attorney representing the Graddy estate filed the complaint Friday, the same day Mayor Andre Sayegh and other political figures held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the diner during which they repeatedly talked about the deceased community leader and the role his restaurant played in the lives of Paterson residents. The diner on 10th Avenue in Paterson’s 4th Ward reopened for regular business on Saturday, with two new sets of large red script letters proclaiming ‘Mr. G’s’ on its roof. The Graddy family’s lawsuit claimed that the new owners — who bought the building for $800,000 in 2023 — had acquired only the property and not the rights to use the name.” R.I.P. — “Former Ocean City Mayor Roy Gillian dies at 94,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Dan Grote: “Former Mayor Roy Gillian died Saturday at his home, according to an obituary. He was 94. Much like his son Jay, Roy Gillian also ran Gillian's Wonderland in the city. That institution is expected to close for good in October. … Apart from business and politics, Gillian was a skilled pianist and the leader of Roy Gillian & His Orchestra from 1947-51, his obituary states.” ICK CITY — “Sewer overflow in Newark a too-familiar tale in storms,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Matt Kadosh: “Last week, East Ward Councilman Michael Silva raised the issue of flooding at a City Council budget meeting. Questioning Water and Sewer Director Kareem Adeem, the councilman said several severe rainstorms over the past several weeks have caused significant sewer overflows. ‘Is there something in place? Because it cripples a lot of people – businesses, residents,’ Silva said. ‘The water eventually does go away, but the damage has been done to these people and to these businesses.’” JULIETTE GORDON LOW-FLYING PLANES — “Airplane noise continues to wreak havoc on North Jersey residents. Can Bergen fight back?” by The New Jersey Herald’s Lori Comstock: “Teterboro is the busiest private airport in the nation by far, with nearly 182,000 private aircraft having flown in and out in the past year. ... The data, collected between May 2023 and May 2024, when compared with flights logged in years past, omitting the impact of the COVID pandemic, shows private travel at the oft celebrity-used airport has only increased. … Members of Rutherford Girl Scout Senior Troop 96898 are taking steps to bring attention to the noise and air pollution that has plagued their community for years, taking on valuable research and finding ways to address the issue head-on by reaching out to legislators and working with local officials. The group of 10 girls, who are between the ages of 14 and 15 and will be sophomores in high school in the fall, are tackling the scouts' Take Action project, a service activity that aims at making significant change on issues that are local, national or global, according to Jennifer Micco, who co-leads the Rutherford troop with Megan Hild.” —“Jersey Shore bridge will be stuck open for ‘many weeks’ as workers scramble to find parts” —“YouTuber loses motion in Union City case, but wins legal fees & complaint reviews” —“Bernardsville rejects controversial downtown redevelopment project. Here's why” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL MUTANT — “Nature may be to blame for Jersey Shore beach contamination,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: A Jersey Shore beach may have become contaminated as part of a ‘naturally occurring’ process, a state spokesman told NJ Advance Media in a statement Monday evening. Several signs warn against touching — and accidentally ingesting — pieces of rocks from the bay area in Keyport, where high levels of arsenic were recently confirmed by state regulators. … Geologists from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey have preliminarily indicated that the material may be a naturally occurring part of the Merchantville geological formation underlying the area and may have become naturally exposed along a roughly 200-foot section of the beach due to erosion,’ Larry Hajna, a NJDEP spokesperson, said Monday. … [Baykeeper’s Greg] Remaud suggested the pieces resembled slag — like the very material found at a facility known to be toxic about four miles north
IT SHOULD JUST BE THE HORSE HEAD — “Is it time to retire New Jersey's intricate flag design? How other states are updating,” by The Record’s Philip DeVencentis: “While a handful of U.S. states are heeding that guidance, New Jersey and its flag seem to be mired in the Revolutionary War era. Three states have updated their antiquated banners since January 2021: Minnesota, Mississippi and Utah. Meanwhile, a commission of elected leaders in Illinois is expected to unveil fresh options for a flag next month. And in Maine, voters will decide in the general election whether to adopt a revamped design depicting a pine tree. AC COOLS — “NJ's casinos in Atlantic City not seeing summer tourism rebound, state regulators say,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “New Jersey’s nine casinos are not seeing a desired summer rebound, according to the latest figures released by state regulators. Although revenue surged from online gambling and online and mobile sports betting in July, the numbers were far more lackluster at the in-person casinos, which are all based in the South Jersey gambling resort town of Atlantic City. ‘While many were hopeful that the summer of 2024 for Atlantic City casinos would see a rebound in drive-in visitors after last year’s trend of people taking their 'dream vacation' and flying to destinations, the July in-person gaming numbers suggest that is not the case,’ said Jane Bokunewicz, director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism.” — “Separated by the Holocaust, sisters reunite 'one last time' in NJ: 'She's my everything'” —“Here are some exotic animals you can own in New Jersey, with or without a permit” —“NJ bus driver arrested after violent assault on passenger following alleged spitting incident” —“New commercial real estate projects have slowed in NJ thanks to high borrowing rates”
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