| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Friday morning! New Jersey is not used to playing a big role in presidential elections. But could the humble Garden State be responsible for an October surprise? East Coast dockworkers are on the verge of a strike at the end of the month if they don’t reach a contract deal that includes huge raises and checks on automation, and at the center of the story is Harold Daggett, president of the New Jersey-based International Longshoremen’s Association. Such a strike, even for a few days, could cause serious supply chain problems and have big ramifications on the economy in the closing days of the election. This is the same union that successfully got Gov. Phil Murphy and other New Jersey politicians to end the Waterfront Commission watchdog agency over New York’s objection. Daggett, who feds have long accused of mob ties, earned $728,000 last year from the ILA, plus another $173,000 as president emeritus of a local. Daggett has been highly critical of President Joe Biden, and it’s hard to imagine that a major supply chain disruption would do anything but hurt the party in power. Given the gravity of the situation, especially as it relates to the election, it seems undercovered. But you can read more from Ry Rivard here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rob Ortiz, Tamara Rosenberg, Hannah Vahl, Lil Wayne. Saturday for Christine Goodman, Scott Mulhauser, David Sal, Adam Neary, Dave Catuogno, Heather DeJong. Sunday for Ryan Hutchins, Maria Rodriguez-Gregg, Marcela Ospina Maziarz, Seth Levin QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: “Wow, we’re going off track here. Haha, that’s a pun … I’m not looking to lynch … Haha, this is another pun. I’m rich with puns.” — Ridgewood council candidate Hyunju Kwak to resident Robert Lynch during a heated discussion about a turf field project. QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “Don’t do that. Don’t use my last name as sort of a joke,” he told her. “If somebody did that to you, you’d be very offended.” — Robert Lynch, in response. WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores is generating cleaner air, cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans. Led by a team with deep roots in environmental science, the company's first project will decrease polluting greenhouse gases by 4 million tons every year. Plus, Atlantic Shores is investing $50 million in community partnerships like New Jersey's Research and Monitoring Initiative to support the responsible management of marine and coastal resources. Learn more. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
NO HASSLE FOR HOFFMAN — Supreme Court pick Hoffman clears Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: John Hoffman cruised through an effusive Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, setting up a full floor vote by the end of the month to place him on the state Supreme Court. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers heaped praise upon Hoffman, a former acting attorney general in the Christie administration and who is most recently the general counsel at Rutgers University. Hoffman, named by Gov. Phil Murphy in June to the state's highest court, cleared the committee unanimously. Most lawmakers made statements in support of him, saying he had “decency” and “intellect.” Only one lawmaker — state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) — raised a single question the entire hearing. Sarlo asked whether Rutgers University has “processes” for a “very equitable” and “fair” search to find a new general counsel and president. (Rutgers President Jonathan Hollaway will not seek a contract extension once it expires). Hoffman said he underwent 16 interviews for the general counsel position, and that through his participation in the last hiring of a new university president, the search is “thorough.”
TIME FOR SOME PROBLEMS WITH MAYORS FROM FORT LEE — Adams indictment focuses on connections to Turkey, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden and Joe Anuta: Federal prosecutors charged New York City Mayor Eric Adams with a yearslong conspiracy to receive illegal foreign campaign contributions, wire fraud and bribery, according to a 57-page indictment that detailed lavish trips and other perks the mayor allegedly accepted from Turkish officials. According to the charges unsealed Thursday morning, Adams accepted free travel on Turkish Airlines and luxury hotel rooms worth more than $100,000, illegal contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign and other perks from a number of people connected to the Turkish government. In exchange, prosecutors allege, Adams used his position as incoming mayor to influence the opening of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan … Speaking to reporters Thursday, Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, described Adams as the singular target of Turkish officials’ influence, detailing conduct Williams characterized as blatant violations of federal law that led prosecutors to seek the first-ever federal indictment of a sitting mayor of New York City. “This was a multi-year scheme to buy favor with a single New York City politician on the rise: Eric Adams,” Williams said. THREAT ASSESSMENT UNASSESSABLE — “Threat assessment teams required in NJ schools but impact hard to measure,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Hannah Gross: “The state’s threat assessment law, which required teams to be in place by September 2023, is based on the Secret Service threat assessment model. In New Jersey schools, teams are tasked with identifying students of concern, assessing their risk of engaging in violence and then delivering intervention strategies to ensure a safe school environment. The law does not include a data reporting requirement, which means little information is available about how the work of these assessment teams is going one year into the mandate from the state.” 76 SAD TROMBONES FOR NEW JERSEY — “Mayor Parker outlines Sixers community benefits agreement, legislative process for $1.55B arena proposal,” by WHYY’s Aaron Moselle: “Mayor Cherelle Parker said Wednesday the Philadelphia 76ers will spend millions to support the city and its school district, as well as initiatives designed to benefit residents and small businesses — if its controversial proposal to build an arena in Center City is approved. The announcement came during a hastily called news conference that saw Parker share details of a wide-ranging agreement that would keep the Sixers in Philadelphia until at least 2061. The mayor, who announced her support for the arena last week, also outlined the elements of a community benefits agreement, and the legislative process she hopes will hand the Sixers the approvals they need to build a new arena at 10th and Market streets.” MURPHY BACKS CALLAHAN — “Top state cop should be fired for failures to address racism, sexism, NAACP says,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “The NAACP’s state leaders are calling for state police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan to step down in the wake of two scathing reports that found systemic failures in how the New Jersey State Police treat female troopers and troopers of color. NAACP State Conference President Richard T. Smith and Gregg L. Zeff, the group’s legal redress chair, applauded Attorney General Matt Platkin for having ‘the strength to reveal the nefarious, biased underbelly of the New Jersey State Police.’ Platkin released the reports Tuesday. Still, Zeff told the New Jersey Monitor that he and other NAACP leaders have 'been really screaming about it from the mountaintops for years now' … Murphy has no plans to can Callahan, according to a statement his office provided. ‘I am committed to working with Attorney General Platkin and Colonel Callahan to ensure that all of the recommendations contained in the reports are enacted without delay,’ Murphy said via a spokeswoman … Eric Dobson, executive director of the United Black Agenda, joined the NAACP’s call for Callahan’s removal Wednesday. The state police’s culture — where critics say Black officers are repeatedly overlooked for promotions, subjected to racist taunts, and retaliated against when reporting discrimination — is unacceptable, he added.” — “'Egregious & disturbing': NJ AG's report flags bias within South Jersey state police troop” WATER ENDORSES WETNESS — “Donald Norcross officially endorses Steve Sweeney for governor,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) has become the first sitting New Jersey member of Congress to issue an official endorsement in the 2025 race for governor — and it’s not for either of his two House colleagues who are likely to enter the race. Norcross will instead support former Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford), a fellow South Jerseyan who until a couple of years ago was one of the most powerful people in state government … Norcross said that Sweeney was the man he most trusted to stand up for organized labor. ‘When it comes to passing legislation and helping the men and women of organized labor, there is nobody who has a resumé even close to what Steve Sweeney has,’ Norcross said.” — “An interview with Donald Norcross” — “Gas prices to go down 5% for PSE&G customers, company reports” — “Prosecutors push to bring prior offenses into domestic violence trials” — “Insisting ‘routine lawyering is not a crime,’ Tambussi seeks dismissal of charges” — “Assembly approves bill raising penalties for some assaults against police” | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:   | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
ON THE WATERFRONT — “Complaint filed against NJ-based union threatening strike to shut East Coast port,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “With the threat of a dockworkers strike shutting down East Coast ports on Tuesday, an association of shipping and terminal companies said it has filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board, seeking to force the dockworkers union back to the negotiating table. The International Longshoremen's Association, based in North Bergen, represents about 85,000 port workers across the East and Gulf coasts. Its leaders cut off contract talks in June after learning that a form of automation had been introduced at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, which they said violated the existing contract. The contract between the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, or USMX, which represents the shipping and port terminal companies, expires on Monday, and a strike could start the next day.”
IF YOU CAMPAIGN IN A SUBURBAN, YOU FORFEIT THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT GAS PRICES — “Curtis Bashaw, a Cape May hotelier, faces off against Andy Kim for ‘the Menendez seat’ in U.S. Senate race,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg: “The Congress Hall hotelier from Cape May is way, way on the opposite end of New Jersey, at a commuter train station in Summit in North Jersey on a Tuesday morning, 42 days from Election Day. Having logged 71,000 miles in his Suburban during this U.S. Senate campaign, the Republican developer and newbie politician has familiarized himself with the nooks and crannies of New Jersey retail politics. He is facing off against the high-metabolism campaign of Democratic favorite: U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, of Moorestown, in an unexpectedly South Jersey-flavored race between two men who both attended Cherry Hill East, though decades apart and Bashaw just for 9th grade … Used to welcoming guests on his gracious hotel veranda, Bashaw, 64, is nudging his way into people’s hectic morning routines, trying to get himself in front of voters, especially Democrats and independents, giving his best (train) platform pitch. 'I’m a business guy from Cape May, I run hotels and restaurants, I employ a thousand people, fiscal conservative, social moderate, not a politician, running for the Bob Menendez seat,' he told commuters.” — Bashaw: “Andy Kim would deepen Jersey’s economic woes” — Moran: “MAGA NJ Congressman Kean Jr., always silent, should just quit” — “Booker scuffles with Ted Cruz after blocking deepfake porn bill in Senate” | | LOCAL | |
JEAN-PHILIPPE PROMISED THE INVESTMENT IS SOUND — “Jersey City Council approves 30-year tax break for Pompidou at heated meeting,” by Hudson County View’s Daniel Ulloa: “The Jersey City Council approved a 30-year tax break for the Centre Pompidou at a heated meeting that lasted a stunning six hours last night. ‘The mayor … thought the residents should control the destiny of Journal Square. If he actually believed in those words, this would not be a rush vote. It is going to cost taxpayers $4 to $5 million dollars a year,’ Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano said before public comment. Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh then encouraged opening the hearing, which was the second reading of an ordinance to approve a 30-year tax abatement to the KRE Group at 808 Pavonia Ave., to the public. Gage Wright appeared to be in disbelief that the project was being rammed through 'at light speed for the Kushners,' claiming it would cost the taxpayers of Jersey City at least $92 million ... over the next decade.”
KEYSTONED COPS — “Three Jersey City ‘cannabis cops’ are reinstated, but not allowed to carry their guns,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “Three Jersey City police officers whose termination over off-duty cannabis use had been overturned by the courts are finally back on the job, but the city will not allow them to carry their service weapons. Omar Polanco, Norhan Mansour and Mackenzie Reilly were called Tuesday and told to report to work Wednesday, and they were placed on pay status as of Sept. 20, a source told The Jersey Journal. Polanco was fired March 1, 2023; Mansour on March 23, 2023; and Reilly on Aug. 25, 2023. All three were placed on modified duty and are working in an 'office capacity,' city officials said. ‘The officers were brought back in an office capacity where they don’t have a firearm because federal law prohibits the city facilitating use of a firearm to anyone that is positive for a schedule 1 drug,’ city spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.” NOT A DROP IN THE OCEAN — “Ocean City says no to alcohol, again,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “In case it wasn’t yet clear, Ocean City does not want alcohol sales. That has been one of the organizing principles of the city since its foundation in the late 1800s, written into ordinance and in deed restrictions and asserted in public votes. On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved a new resolution supporting the existing prohibition of the manufacture, sale, possession or consumption of alcohol in public places … Alcohol sales have also been a concern, in part because of a persistent rumor that a liquor license could be part of an as-yet indefinite project where Gillian’s Wonderland now stands at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk.” TOWN WITH LOW VACCINATION RATE LOVES PHARMA — “Lakewood's industrial zone attracting top pharmaceutical firms,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “In recent years, numerous pharmaceutical and health-related companies have either moved to Lakewood or expanded existing operations. Among those now operating in the area are EzriRX, Knipper Health, Axis Solutions, Accupac, and Worthington Biochemical. Geri-Care Pharmaceuticals, which provides over-the-counter prescription drugs and dietary supplements, moved its headquarters to Lakewood in 2021. Meanwhile, Church & Dwight, a personal care and over-the-counter health product firm, recently sought planning board approval for a new 6,000-square-foot building for labs and office space at its Airport Road location. 'We don’t have a Merck, we don’t have a Johnson & Johnson, but these are important players and their reach is significant and they tell an important story about Lakewood,' said Steve Reinman, Lakewood’s director of economic development.”
— “Paterson mayor will tout city's RealFix opioid addiction program at Mexico City conference” — “Woman with postpartum depression sues Passaic County over return-to-work dispute” — “Over 200 come out to hear plans for mosque in residential neighborhood in Marlboro” | | | | A message from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is generating cleaner air, cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, and a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans.
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VIRTUA INSANITY — “State says NJ hospital system is drug testing pregnant women without their consent,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “A New Jersey hospital system has been routinely drug testing pregnant women without their consent in violation of state law, authorities said Thursday. The complaint filed against Virtua Health by the state Attorney General's Office involves at least two pregnant women who were investigated for child abuse even though their positive drug results were apparently the result of eating foods with poppy seeds prior to being tested. It revives a decades-old issue involving the rights of pregnant women and the protection of newborn children. The complaint says Virtua's six-year-old policy of universal drug testing for all pregnant patients arriving at its hospitals to deliver or receive care is not only discriminatory but can often be a mistake due to a high-rate of false-positive results.”
— “Freehold Raceway's closing grows more certain with WARN layoff notice for 93 workers posted” — “Winner of $1.13B Mega Millions jackpot in N.J. remains mystery after 6 months. Clock is ticking” — “Multiple Christ Hospital doctors call for change in CarePoint Health leadership” | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
