| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Thursday morning! New Jersey’s next senator will be George Helmy, Gov. Phil Murphy’s longtime former chief of staff. For a few months, anyway. POLITICO confirmed that Murphy has settled on Helmy, now an executive at RWJ Barnabas, to replace the disgraced Sen. Bob Menendez, who leaves office on Aug. 20. (Still no word on whether Menendez will remain on the ballot as an independent). Murphy hasn’t made the offer, but according to our sources, he’s going to. David Wildstein first reported this last night, and The New York Post first suggested Helmy was the leading contender. With this, Murphy has passed over Rep. Andy Kim, who based on New Jersey’s electoral history is highly likely to be the state's next full-term senator and may have gotten a leg up on seniority over other first-term senators, for one of his closest advisers. Helmy may have departed as chief of staff last year, but he never left Murphy World. Murphy and Kim still haven’t made up following Kim’s political besting of First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose Democratic Senate campaign never gained traction against Kim (Helmy played an unofficial role in the Tammy Murphy campaign). Read more about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: ”These defendants hold leadership roles in institutions that continue to receive millions of dollars annually in federal, state, and local taxpayer dollars. This situation is intolerable and, if left unaddressed, will continue to erode public trust and risk taxpayer resources at the hands of an allegedly criminal enterprise.” — Antoinette Miles, director of the New Jersey Working Families Party, in a letter to Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh urging him to investigate and terminate all public contracts involving George Norcross and his co-defendants. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Jennifer Holdsworth, Christopher Hughes, Lizzie Helck, Raymond Saa WHERE’S MURPHY? — On Fox 5 at 8:30 a.m. for a “transit announcement” |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
A GRAND CONFORMISE — “2020 lawsuit targeting county-line ballots appears to near settlement talks,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “A lawsuit targeting New Jersey’s unique system of county-line ballots that has languished in pretrial proceedings for more than four years appears to be approaching settlement talks. U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne Bongiovanni last week asked attorneys for plaintiff Christine Conforti and other former congressional candidates to relay information on their proposed settlement, adding the court would ‘assess the format for efficient settlement discussions.’ Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon, one of the defendants in the case, confirmed to the New Jersey Monitor that she is interested in settling. ‘And we have made that clear to the plaintiffs because, number one, we can’t go into another election cycle — which is coming up before you know it — with the uncertainty,’ Hanlon said … Brett Pugach, who is among the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, declined to comment on settlement discussions but said his clients are willing to explore ‘any means necessary to secure a just resolution of the constitutional concerns raised’ by the suit. ‘I can say that Plaintiffs strongly believe that the writing is on the wall in this case, and county clerks that continue to defend the county line do so with complete disregard for taxpayer money,’ he said.”
CAMDEN TO PAY SICKLERVILLE RESIDENT’S LEGAL BILLS — “Two months after former Mayor Dana Redd’s indictment, Camden lawmakers lift a cap on taxpayer money for officials’ legal defense,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Andrew Seidman: “Two months after former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd was indicted on state racketeering charges alongside Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III, city lawmakers voted to lift a cap on the amount of taxpayer money that can be allocated toward current and former officials’ legal defense. City Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance that would authorize ‘reasonable attorneys’ fees’ for current and former public officials in certain circumstances. That’s a change from existing law, which sets a maximum amount of money that may be allocated as provided in a city “reimbursement schedule.” The 2002 law set that rate at $125 an hour, officials say. The ordinance does not elaborate on what would constitute ‘reasonable’ fees.” | | | | WELCOME TO THE CNN-POLITICO GRILL AT THE DNC! If you are in Chi-Town next week, join us at the CNN-POLITICO Grill just steps from the United Center for daily events and live programs. Featuring an all-star lineup of the most influential Democrats including Governor JB Pritzker, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Mayor Eric Adams and many more special guests. In fact, word on the street (West Madison Street, to be precise) is that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be in the neighborhood and could drop by Don’t miss out on the buzziest conversations and newsworthy events hosted by POLITICO’s top reporters and editors. RSVP HERE. | | | | |
JUST IN HOFFMAN — “Tiver signs off on Hoffman, paving the way for Supreme Court confirmation next month,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominee for associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, John Jay Hoffman, has passed a critical point in his bid for Senate confirmation with signoff from State Sen. Latham Tiver (R-Southampton), the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. The Senate is expected to consider Hoffman’s nomination in early September … Tiver, a freshman Republican from Burlington County, had to approve Hoffman under the Senate’s unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy, which prevents consideration of a governor’s nominee until home county senators signed off … At the same time, the Senate is also expected to consider Murphy’s nomination of a close Tiver ally, Michael S. Mikulski III, the Republican mayor of Southampton, to serve as a Superior Court judge. Murphy is also expected to nominate former State Sen. Jean Stanfield (R-Westhampton) to a seat on the New Jersey Parole Board and businessman Robert Healey to a seat on the South Jersey Transportation Authority; Healey was the Republican nominee for Congress in 2022 against Democrat Andy Kim (D-Moorestown). Additionally, former Bass River Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope is likely to be appointed to the Pinelands Commission.”
BUT SHE WOULDN’T TAKE OFFICE UNTIL 2026 — “Mikie Sherrill is prepared to lead New Jersey In 2025,” by Mike Hellstrom for New Jersey Globe: “Let me share with you what it takes to become a skilled journeyworker with my union, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LIUNA. If you don’t know us, we are the 25,000 New Jersey members who build your transportation and energy infrastructure as well as everything from housing to hospitals, schools to skyscrapers … And it is in the spirit of that type of preparation that drives me—15 months from Election Day 2025—to weigh-in on New Jersey’s gubernatorial campaign … Mikie Sherrill, if you are reading this, please know you have what it takes to lead New Jersey forward and we encourage you to run for governor.’” —“Remembering journalist Michael Aron as ‘the authoritative voice’” —“N.J. is adding a new requirement to graduate high school, but a huge number of kids didn’t do it last year” —“State senator says KIYC investigation prompted him to introduce bill requiring rape kits to be tested” —AARP: “NJ is still failing nursing home residents. Accountability and transparency are essential” | | BIDEN TIME | |
FIREFIGHTERS UNION LOOKS TO START FLAME WAR — “Firefighters union endorses Kean, sits out Senate race after bashing Kim,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, the largest firefighters union in the state, is taking sides in the hugely competitive race for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th district, backing freshman Republican Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in his race against Democrat Sue Altman. But the union is not making an endorsement in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw, alleging that Kim has been unresponsive to the union and calling its decision a matter of integrity. ‘We always answer the call, our elected officials representing us should do the same,’ said Eddie Donnelly, the NJ FMBA president. Donnelly was harsh in his criticism of the three-term congressman. ‘While personal evolution is expected and welcomed, forgetting where you came from and trying to rewrite your past shows a lack of integrity,’ Donnelly stated. ‘That’s what Andy Kim has done since he decided to run for the U.S. Senate.’”
—Snowflack: “Pallone and the gift that keeps on giving” —“Menendez has two days left to end his independent Senate campaign” —“North Jersey priests sue U.S., saying new visa rule could force them out of the country” | | LOCAL | |
CAR 420 WHERE ARE YOU? — “Jersey City dealt another legal blow in bid to fire ‘cannabis cops’,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “When exactly does “‘f at first you don’t succeed …’ morph into the proverbial ‘definition of insanity?’ For Jersey City officials, still winless in legal skirmishes over their attempts to fire police officers who test positive for cannabis, the answer is “not yet.” The Civil Service Commission Wednesday upheld the Office of Administrative Law’s decision granting summary judgment to Police Officer Mackenzie Reilly and ordered the city to immediately reinstate him with back pay. ‘(Jersey City’s) exceptions are essentially a regurgitation of challenges in several prior similar matters,’ the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said in a four-page decision, noting rulings on the reinstatements of Norhan Mansour and Omar Polanco, two of five Jersey City police officers whose terminations were overturned.”
MILMOE BAGGAGE — “Split Neptune Township Committee fires public works boss after LGBTQ Facebook comments,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Charles Daye: “The Township Committee fired David Milmoe, director of the Department of Public Works and assistant deputy coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management, following a suspension last month after his social media comments were brought to the attention of township officials. Deputy Mayor Robert Lane and Committeeman Derel Stroud, voted "yes" to authorize the termination, Committeeman Kevin McMillan and Committeeman Keith Cafferty voted "no" and Mayor Tassie York and abstained. Under the law, an abstention counts towards the affirmative votes, so the resolution passed … In one screenshot obtained by the Asbury Park Press, a Facebook account with the name Dave Milmoe used a homophobic slur in one comment on a friend's post from 2011.” 8/6/24. NEVER FORGET — “Questions remain about Wildwood golf cart crash that injured 5,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s “An educator, youth coach and former candidate for City Commission was among the people injured Aug. 6 during National Night Out when a low-speed vehicle being used in a drunken-driving demonstration careened into a crowd. A child was operating the vehicle, wearing goggles meant to represent the impairment felt by an intoxicated driver. Chris Hines, the Wildwood resident who was hit first, declined to be interviewed. He has retained a lawyer, but the lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But a witness described a disturbing scene as the vehicle struck Hines and others. He raised questions about the safety of the demonstration … Mayor Ernie Troiano said the incident remained under investigation and said he was glad to hear the people who were injured were recovering. He said the city will take a ‘hard look’ at the demonstration and what went wrong before the next National Night Out in 2025.” | | | | 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. | | | | |
THE KRONICK — “Arbitrator sides with Dover police chief over confrontation with councilman,” by The Daily Record’s William Westhoven: “An independent arbitrator has ruled in favor of Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney, who filed a grievance against town officials after he was reprimanded by him for speaking out at a February council meeting. ‘The content of the chief’s comments to the town council were not inappropriate or unprofessional and did not put the town or its police department in disrepute,’ attorney Brian Kronick wrote in his 21-page report, which contains sworn testimony from Delaney and former town administrator BettyLou DeCroce. Kronick directed the letter of reprimand be removed from Delaney's personnel file. The report, released last week, detailed the dramatic proceedings during the Feb. 13 town council meeting, where Delaney confronted Mayor James Dodd and Councilman Sergio Rodriguez after Rodriguez made critical comments about the police department … Rodriguez, addressing Chief Delaney at the meeting, said, ‘I want the people around this town to respect our police. I don't want them saying 'Hey, Dover, we can do whatever we want there.' Because let's face it, that's what's being said. And I don't like it.’”
THE ONLY WONDERLAND LEFT IS YOUR BODY — “Ocean City wonders what's next for Gillian's Wonderland,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “People in town had plenty to talk about after a Friday afternoon bombshell: Gillian’s Wonderland will close for good at the end of the season. The business has had a rocky time recently, narrowly avoiding the auction block in 2021. A $10 million investment kept the rides spinning, but also gave developer Eustace Mita control of the property, fueling widespread speculation about plans for a high-rise hotel or condominium project for the site even before owner Jay Gillian announced the closing. That speculation has gotten more intense, although Mita said his teams would take a close look at the site to determine the best option. For residents, visitors and Boardwalk business owners, the idea of a future without Wonderland was beginning to sink in by Monday.” — “Saddle River school superintended retires following one-year suspension of credential” —“Paterson council OKs $240K settlement with protesters arrested after police custody death” —“Paterson is 'filthy': NJ bars city from accepting bulk trash at DPW yard after cuts” — “Developer to Toms River: You blew it, now you have to let us build downtown apartments” —“Court upholds firing of Hoboken employee who showed up at City Hall while suffering from COVID-19” —“Why are these [Palisades Park] cops working in a building with mold as $1M trailers sit empty?” —“Lawsuit challenging [Scotch Plains] huge redevelopment plan thrown out by judge” —“Crumbling buildings, understaffing prompt Newark library’s $2.5m ask” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
BURLINGTON SUIT FACTORY — Fired Amazon worker says company illegally contacts employees’ health care providers, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: A former Amazon employee fired from its Burlington warehouse claims the company illegally reached out to his medical provider without notice or consent — as part of its standard operating procedure. Jaouad Orfi was fired from his job at Amazon’s Burlington Warehouse in March 2022 over allegedly submitting a false Covid test result to take leave two months earlier. He claims in a recent legal filing that Amazon uses a “secret” standard operating procedure that allows its fraud investigators from the company to “communicate directly with the health care providers of employees and to obtain their private medical information without any knowledge of authorization of the employee.” … Amazon, in a July motion to dismiss the lawsuit, said the Family Leave Medical Act restrictions do not apply to Covid test results and, even if they did, Orfi’s argument is “nonsensical and inconsistent with the regulatory language and canons of statutory interpretation.” In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson said “we follow all applicable state and federal laws when conducting internal investigations, and we look forward to proving that through the legal process.”
A SOUTH JERSEYAN PLAYING A NORTH JERSEYAN IS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION — “Jersey Shore’s Dominic Sessa may play Anthony Bourdain in upcoming movie,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Bedatri D. Choudhury: “Anthony Bourdain famously said, ‘To know Jersey, is to love her’ It is, therefore, a pleasant surprise to see Bourdain’s fellow Jerseyan Dominic Sessa’s name in the running to play the celebrity chef and travel show host in the forthcoming biopic Tony … Bourdain was born in New York in 1956, but grew up in Leonia, N.J. He graduated from Englewood, N.J.’s Dwight-Englewood School before moving to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he attended Vassar College for two years … Dominic Sessa, who made his debut in last year’s much-feted The Holdovers, was born in Cherry Hill. Growing up in South Jersey’s Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, Sessa went to Alder Avenue Middle School before attending Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Mass.” —“Exclusive: J&J near disclosing support for talc settlement, sources say” —“Jersey Shore hospital docs will pay back $2.7M in pandemic loans, feds say”
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