| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, a feisty 14-term representative who was set to become the oldest sitting member of Congress, died Wednesday at age 87. With 27 years in Congress, Pascrell’s record is too lengthy to go into here. But I think the loss of his personality will be most deeply felt. He was a progressive who talked like a blue collar Patersonian. He was arguably the state's most caustic critic of Donald Trump, but he had just as much passion against Ticketmaster, or politicians who dared insult New Jersey. My most prominent recollection of Pascrell was from his 2012 primary race against fellow congressman and redistricting victim Steve Rothman. We all thought it was a close race. But Pascrell, 16 years Rothman’s senior, easily dispatched him. During the campaign, Pascrell invited reporters to his Paterson house for a press conference. It was tiny and modest. I was skeptical he actually lived there. But while Pascrell made more than a comfortable living, it really was his home, as evidenced by the fact that when he first checked into the hospital last month, it was St. Joseph’s in Paterson. To get an idea of the man’s character, I suggest watching this 2014 video from Roll Call of him giving a tour of his office and talking about eating dirt as a kid to intimidate his baseball opponents. Read our obituary for Pascrell here. Now, the uncomfortable part. Pascrell died just eight days before the deadline to replace him on the ballot, which will be decided by the Democratic county committee members from the district’s Passaic, Bergen and Hudson County towns. That means the Democrats interested in succeeding him on the ballot won’t have the luxury of publicly pretending they’re not angling for the seat. We already know two people who expressed interest before Pascrell became ill: Assemblymember Shavonda Sumter and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh. I’m told Assemblymember Benjie Wimberly, is also interested. The biggest outstanding question is whether Bergen County will make a play for the seat. And whether to do so they would make a deal with Democrats in Hudson County, which has a small part of the district. But this is a minority-majority district that’s long been represented by a white man, and the big players in South Bergen tend to be white men. There’s likely to be a big push for a minority candidate, and perhaps a woman. On that front, Passaic County’s bench has an advantage over Bergen. So far, there are no plans for the convention, which must take place by a week from today. “I have no plan right this hour,” Passaic County Democratic Chair John Currie told me. “I will speak to my two colleagues from Hudson and Bergen and we’ll go form there. Right now we’re just concentrating on supporting [Pascrell’s] family. “ TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “My parents always told me not to start fights, but to know how to end them. Tonight, we did just that.” — Bill Pascrell upon winning his 2012 primary race against Steve Rothman HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Sean Kennedy, Steve Kornacki, Donald Sico, NJLCV’s Drew Tompkins WHERE’S MURPHY? Chicago. Lt. Gov. Way is also scheduled to leave for Chicago this afternoon. That will Senate President Nick Scutari as acting governor until Way returns Friday morning.
| | | | 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 | |
GREED ACRES — “In NJ, tiny farms 'gaming the system' can earn big tax breaks for wealthy estates,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: ”A six-decade-old tax break intended to help struggling farmers in the Garden State has long been a target of critics who say it's been co-opted by wealthy suburban landowners. Now, there's a push to tighten its loopholes … Today, about 35,000 landowners enroll some part of their properties in the program, which can discount a real estate tax bill by up to 98%. Complaints about alleged abuses have been around almost as long as the program itself. … The state revised the law in 2013, requiring more farming revenue to qualify and more training for local tax assessors. But critics say the changes haven't gone nearly far enough, and a review this summer by The Record and Northersey.com of just who receives farmland assessments reveals that the breaks are still used by many wealthy landowners living on luxury suburban estates that seem to have little to do with commercial agriculture. … ‘The size of that program is a red flag,’ said state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, a Morris County Republican who is pushing for a commission to reevaluate the program.”
HE WAS BORN IN THE …MA — “Will Gov. Phil Murphy address his fellow Democrats this week? Probably not,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “It’s not clear yet if Gov. Phil Murphy will be granted a brief speaking role at the Democratic National Convention, but given Monday night’s drift-into-the-wee-hours scheduling fiasco, the odds are slim. It could easily happen — Murphy is, after all, one of the most reliable fundraisers for the Democratic Party, and a stalwart Biden ally who twice led the Democratic Governors Association. He was a regular figure on national television during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some insiders expect that organizers will cut down on the number of speaking slots in the coming days to prevent the national audience from snoozing. Half the country stayed up to watch James Taylor, for crying out loud, and instead got Delaware's Sen. Chris Coons. Another reason is strategic: The Harris-Walz campaign apparently wants to stock the speaker list in the final days with ‘trusted messengers’ from battleground states, such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.” —“A hollow victory in fight to bring transparency to cops’ use of facial recognition technology”
| | | | During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | | CORY BOOKER CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH ‘THE NEXT GENERATION’ — "Rep. Andy Kim: It's time for a 'new generation of leadership" by POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy: Rep. Andy Kim, whose risky jump into a Senate race upended the New Jersey political machine, said America is hungry for a “new generation of leadership” in his convention speech. “As a father, I refuse to believe that our kids are doomed to grow up in a broken America,” said Kim, who is known for wholesome dad posts with his kids. “There is a hunger right now in the country for a new generation of leadership to step up.” Kim, who is now likely to become a New Jersey senator next year, rose to national fame for pictures of him cleaning up the Capitol after Jan. 6 circulated online. In his remarks, he recounted the events of that day. “What I learned on Jan. 6 is that all of us, all of us, are caretakers for our great republic,” Kim said. “We can heal the country, but only if we try.” — "Cory Booker steps back in the spotlight as emcee" — Video: Bill Pascrell remembered at the DNC —“These were the causes dear to the late Rep. Bill Pascrell's heart” —“True son of Paterson: His city laments Rep. Bill Pascrell's death” —“'Kyle was dying in front of their eyes': Doctor speaks up on Manalapan Navy SEALs death” | | LOCAL | | BEDMINSTER TO RENAME TOWN HALL ‘THE PERSECUTION COMPLEX’ — “Trump supporters claim 'political interference' by Bedminster GOP over parking ordinance,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak : “Despite criticism that it was political persecution and a violation of constitutional rights, the Township Committee on Monday unanimously adopted an ordinance that limited parking on Clucas Brook Road next to the Clarence Dillon Public Library. The ordinance came under fire from organizers and participants of rallies in support of former President Donald Trump at the designated ‘free speech area’ at the library property at the intersection of Route 206 and Lamington Road. They told the Township Committee that the ordinance would infringe on their rights of free speech and assembly. … But Mayor Lawrence Jacobs, who said the all-Republican Township Committee has been accused of being liberals and ‘anti-Trumpers,’ said the elected officials ‘have to stand up for our residents.’ … The public hearing on the ordinance devolved’ after a neighborhood resident. … Andrew Chang said he was concerned about the number of cars parking on Clucas Brook Road because of the limited visibility and other safety hazards for bicyclists, including his three children who bike to the library … After Chang spoke, a member of the audience who was against the ordinance, reportedly said, ‘Go back to China,’ which elicited a vehement reaction from Committeeman Douglas Stevinson.” I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES. GLAD YOU CAME ALONG. YOU SEXY SPAN — “Jersey Shore bridge reopens weeks early thanks to ‘a miracle’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeff Goldman: “A key bridge linking two Jersey Shore communities that was expected to be closed for weeks while it was repaired reopened early Wednesday in what Cape May County officials described as a ‘miracle.’ The Middle Thorofare Bridge, also known as the Two Mile Bridge, was back open to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians traveling between Wildwood Crest and Diamond Beach in Lower Township and Cape May as of 2 a.m., the Cape May County Bridge Commission said. Officials located a new drive-shaft motor and worked around the clock to repair the drive-shaft system that left the bridge stuck in the upright position.” RAGEY BHALLA — “Hoboken mayor posted an angry tweet about his DNC flight cancellation. He regretted it almost instantly,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “The mayor, like many New Jersey officials, had a ticket to Chicago for the Democratic National Convention and, in what he now considers too strong of a reaction, he took to ‘X’ to fire shots at United, which somehow had left him both flightless and bagless. He called the airline a “first class trainwreck,” in a tweet that many saw as tone deaf since many parts of Hoboken spent the night under water. One former councilman put the rant in the ‘Karen’ class. ‘Depriving hundreds of passengers, including elected officials who now can’t attend the Democratic National Convention - of BOTH access to the DNC but more importantly access to passenger luggage for days! They refuse to give us back our property - wtf??’ He continued on, and when United suggested that he send a DM he replied, ‘No, let’s discuss this publicly. One passenger had their home keys checked in their bags. @United rep told her that he hopes she has a good locksmith.’ His tweets were deleted, but not before they were copied and repasted with some of the same vitriol. ‘Chill out, Karen. Seriously, stop,’ former Councilman Mike DeFusco tweeted.” JERSEY CITY POLICE SHOOTING — “Family of Jersey City man shot by police during mental health crisis sues city, JCMC,” by The Jersey Journal’s Teri West: “Andrew Jerome Washington, III (‘Drew”’ should be alive today.” Thus begins the 63-page lawsuit filed Wednesday morning by Washington’s sister against the parties involved in the response to a mental health episode that ended with her brother being shot dead by police in his Jersey City home. The litigation was filed in federal court 360 days after police shot and killed the 52-year-old Washington Aug. 27, and it names the city, county, Jersey City Medical Center, RWJ Barnabas Health and 11 police officers and EMTs as defendants.” ‘I AM THE VIOLA!’ — “Coming soon to Jersey City: A gleaming home for the symphony,” by The New York Times’ Javier C. Hernández: “The New Jersey Symphony has long lacked a permanent home, performing in a variety of spaces across the state. But come 2026, that will change: The orchestra is getting a gleaming 550-seat theater in downtown Jersey City, the ensemble and the city announced on Wednesday. The new theater, to be called Symphony Center, is expected to become a hub for concerts, classes and other activities. While the New Jersey Symphony will continue to perform across the state, the theater will serve as its flagship location. … Symphony Center was recently constructed for about $40 million, as part of a luxury housing development by the home builder Toll Brothers.” THE REAL QUESTION IS WHY A CALIFORNIAN CHOSE TO SURF IN NJ — “Belmar surfer tackled, arrested over beach tags on video,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Mason, Jenna Calderón, Erik Larsen: “It started out as a beach tag check. It turned into an altercation that has social media users irate. In a statement, Belmar Police Chief Tina M. Scott said the department is aware of the video circulating on social media. Liam Mahoney, 28, of Junction City, California, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and he was also issued a ticket for violating the municipal ordinance for not having a beach badge, Scott said. ‘A thorough review of the circumstances of the arrest will be conducted, in accordance with applicable New Jersey Office of the Attorney General guidelines’ Scott said. … Mahoney can be heard on the video saying that he had his beach badge on his bag. In the court of public opinion, also known as the comments section on social media, most people sided with the surfer.” —“Bridgewater councilman’s praise of hometown Olympian devolves into transgender screed” — “Jackson turns down Orthodox Jewish school project; lawyer for developer says 'see you in court'” —“Margate police ticketed two parents this summer for their teen’s curfew violations” —“Orthodox Jewish council lauds Toms River police chief retiring after fights with mayor” —“Mullock to seek new term as mayor in Cape May” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NOT GRRREAT! — “A woman climbed into the tiger enclosure at a South Jersey zoo,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Beatrice Forman: “A rogue zoo goer was caught on video illegally entering the tiger enclosure at a South Jersey zoo. The incident occurred during business hours on Sunday at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, that houses two 500-pound Bengal tigers named Rishi and Mahesha. In a video posted to Facebook by the Bridgeton Police Department, an unidentified woman enters the enclosure to ‘entice’ one of the tigers with food. After nearly getting her hand bit, the woman then climbs back over the enclosure’s wooden fence to continue her zoo trip as several onlookers watched.”
AMONG THE HOPEFULS WAS BILLY FROM MADISON — “Casting call for 'Happy Gilmore' sequel draws huge crowd in Morristown,” by The Record’s Kyle More: “Based on the scene in Morristown Tuesday, the creators of "Happy Gilmore 2" will have no issues casting background roles for the movie. In fact, their biggest problem will be narrowing down the pool of candidates. Thousands of prospective actors filled the Hyatt Regency in Morristown and the surrounding streets Tuesday afternoon during an open casting call for the upcoming Adam Sandler movie. Videos posted to social media showed the line stretching around the block and through town later in the day, creating a massive traffic backup as the attendees waited for (perhaps) their one shot at fame. Rough approximations online estimated that more than 12,000 people attended the casting call in person, though nothing was confirmed a day later.” —“A renaissance in arcade games has this North Jersey company hopping”
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