| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Thursday morning! Democratic gubernatorial candidate and NJEA President Sean Spiller — or excuse me, an “independent” group called “Working New Jersey” that’s run by former NJEA officials and is totally not affiliated with him — has been filling Democrats’ mailboxes with flyers, airing TV ads, putting up online ads (including in this newsletter) and even canvassing door-do-door to promote Spiller’s gubernatorial campaign. Yes, actually canvassing — just a month before the presidential election. A Democratic leader I talked to was among those visited. Last month, I told you about how the group estimated it would spent $35 million to promote Spiller. That seemed like an ambitious number to me, but I’m starting to believe it. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a rival Democratic gubernatorial candidate, told me he’s gotten four pro-Spiller flyers from the group. Here’s one example. And Working New Jersey, according to the firm AdImpact, has already reserved $705,000 in TV air time. All told, Fulop estimates the group has already spent $5 million to $7 million. Spiller’s rivals, by contrast, have focused on the inside game of recruiting support and volunteers, but not public outreach. So why? I reached out to Working New Jersey to ask, and I didn’t hear back. But Democrats — including Fulop —believe it’s an effort to get Spiller’s name into the public consciousness by the time the first public polls come out. “I think [Spiller] views it as a decision he’s making with other peoples’ money, so it makes it easier. And I think he wants to be relevant when those first polls come out in December/January.” Of course, technically it’s not Spiller’s decision. It’s just the decision of a bunch of people with very close ties to the union he leads. But speaking of “other peoples’ money,” what’s the source of the money? Common sense says it’s likely all coming from the NJEA. But can we know for sure? Unfortunately, thanks to the ironically named Elections Transparency Act, Working New Jersey does not have to publicly disclose that information until 11 days before the primary. So while in this case it’s almost certainly funded by NJEA, allies of other 2025 gubernatorial candidates have already set up independent expenditure groups that are less active. Will we know who funds them prior to 11 days before the primary? Only if they go above and beyond what the law requires. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Vin Ciniello, Jennifer Sciortino, Pete Sheridan. Missed Tuesday: Eric Boland QUOTE OF THE DAY: “"If he called me right now and asked me for my endorsement, I’d give it to him." — Gov. Murphy on Andy Kim WHERE’S MURPHY? In New Brunswick at 9 a.m. for the Middlesex County Annual Business Summit |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
SUSSEX IS THE ONLY COUNTY WITH ‘SEX’ IN ITS NAME THAT HAS YET TO WEIGH IN — “Middlesex, Essex, Passaic appear ready to back Sherrill in ’25,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Three significant Democratic county chairmen are signaling a possible future support of Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor next year, the New Jersey Globe has learned. The party leaders — LeRoy Jones of Essex, Kevin McCabe of Middlesex, and John Currie of Passaic — appear to have agreed in concept that Sherrill would be the most electable Democrat in a general election in a meeting on Tuesday. The three cited Sherrill’s ability to attract a big coalition of support based, mainly as a female voice on reproductive rights, her service as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and Annapolis graduate, and her work as a federal prosecutor … Still, with the near certainty that there will be no county organization lines in the 2025 primary — Middlesex has already agreed to an office block ballot — the likely support of major party leaders won’t blindly produce pluralities for a candidate. Without the line, the powerful party leaders view Sherrill as a candidate who will appeal to rank-and-file primary voters in their counties.”
DANGER — GOP Assemblymember says home burglarized and car with legislative plates stolen, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Republican Assemblymember Paul Kanitra on Wednesday said that his home was broken into with his family still inside and "two brazen thugs" stole his car. Kanitra announced the break-in in a lengthy social media post, alongside footage of alleged burglars breaking through his front door. … The burglars found Kanitra’s car keys and were able to steal his car with his Assembly license plates on them, Kanitra said in the Facebook post. State Police have located his car in New York, he said . Gov. Phil Murphy in July 2023 signed a package of bills into law aimed at reducing auto thefts. A bipartisan bill, S3006, is currently on Murphy’s desk that would upgrade penalties for home burglaries. Kanitra used his home invasion experience to criticize Democrats, saying that people needed to vote out “every single one of these weak, woke assholes who votes for weakening penalties for crimes.” He said "the real crime" is "the lawlessness of Phil Murphy's New Jersey and the safe haven that Democrats" have created. "I'm going to make this political. Because this is political," Kanitra said. In response, Murphy's office said: “The governor is relieved that Assemblyman Kanitra and his family are safe and reached out to him privately earlier tonight." CASINO SMOKING — “Battle slows over smoking in NJ casinos,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Ted Goldberg: “Despite stalled legislation and a dragged-out lawsuit, casino workers remain optimistic that smoking in New Jersey casinos will become a thing of the past. ‘We’re like a caged animal,’ said Raymond Jensen Jr., a Region 9 assistant director at United Auto Workers, the union representing some of the casino workers. ‘We’re like a cornered animal fighting for our lives.’ The union recently met with Assembly Republicans who have pledged their support to a bill that would amend the state’s Smoke-Free Indoor Air Act, which currently excludes casinos from smoking bans. “The Democrats have been saying for years that they don’t have the votes from the other side of the aisle,” said Jensen. “So now they have the votes from the other side of the aisle. So what is your excuse?” State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who has long criticized New Jersey casinos for permitting smoking on 25% of their floors, said the votes just aren’t there yet, and it’s not worth bringing up for a vote until he has the numbers.” 0.1 MASTRO TAX — “Here's why New Jersey's $1 million 'mansion tax' should be reevaluated,” by The Record’s Maddie McGay: “As of July, 21 New Jersey towns had starter homes worth $1 million or more, up from 15 in 2023 and 2 in 2019. … Unofficially referred to as the mansion tax — but formally called the "Additional fee on certain transfers of real property over $1 million" — this is a 1% fee on most residential and commercial sales of more than $1 million, paid by the property's buyer at the time of closing. … In New Jersey, former Gov. Jim McGreevey signed the mansion tax into law in 2004 to deter the spread of urban development on undeveloped land and to fund projects that would better impact the environment. … Because this tax was put into place when home prices across the state were significantly lower than they are today, some say the Garden State should reevaluate its $1 million threshold. ‘Now it's becoming the average home that's being hit with this tax,’ said David Arabia, broker and owner of Corcoran Infinity Properties.” —“Amid book bans and school shootings, NJ teens demand a voice with Vote16 campaign” —“N.J.’s getting $44M to fix lead pipes. Half must go to disadvantaged areas” —“Another report finds faults inside NJ prison” | | BIDEN TIME | |
—“Van Drew says he's asked federal authorities to investigate Atlantic City Electric”
—“Black faith leaders look to increase unity, voter turnout” | | LOCAL | |
INCLUDES BONUS FOR NOT DOING HORRIFIC STUFF ON VIDEO — “Paterson approves new police contract that includes $20K raises for over 100 officers,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “The new police contract designed to stop officers from leaving Paterson for better-paying jobs in suburban towns cleared its final hurdle Tuesday night with approval from the City Council. ‘This is a historic night for the City of Paterson,’ proclaimed Council President Alex Mendez. ‘The decision that we’re making today is going to impact out police department in a tremendous way, in a positive way.’ Councilman Al Abdelaziz recounted conversations he has had with officers who resigned from Paterson to work for Bergen County police departments. ‘I had to leave,’ Abdelaziz said, quoting those who left the city force. ‘I couldn’t pay my rent. I couldn’t buy a home.’”
ICH BIN EIN BENNYER — “Highlands sea wall: Integral storm protection or 'Berlin Wall'-like eyesore?” by The Asbury Park Press’ Amanda Oglesby: “Federal and state officials say a flood wall is needed to protect Highlands from future storms, but borough residents worry it will be too high a price to pay for their way of life, not to mention their pocketbooks. Highlands voters will head to the polls in November and decide whether the borough will move forward with the $148 million initiative, of which $13 million would be borne by local taxpayers. In preparation for that November vote, experts in flooding management laid out the options and outcomes in a jammed meeting at Henry Hudson Regional High School Monday night. The project will be on the November ballot as a nonbinding referendum, one Mayor Carolyn Broullon said will help measure the will of the community.” HO-HO-KUS FOCUS — ”Where's the richest town in New Jersey? Just look in the North Jersey suburbs,” by The Record’s Lori Comstock: “With small town charm and easy access to New York City, Ho-Ho-Kus, a tiny but mighty borough in Bergen County with a population of about 4,200, is considered the richest in the state. The borough boasts a median household income of more than $250,000 — nearly 233% greater than the United States median income of $75,149, according to the Census data. The Census caps income at $250,000.” —“These two Howell mayor candidates have both bucked the system” —“Founded as a curfew enforcement program, Camden’s Open Gym invites kids every Friday to play basketball, get social services” —“The Trump helicopter tragedy that shook Atlantic City, 35 years later” R.I.P. — “'A mighty big man': Bernard Navatto, primary architect of Somerville's renaissance, dies” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
POTENTIAL STRIKE STRUCK — “Nurses strike avoided after N.J. hospital reaches tentative deal with union,” by NJ Advance Media’s Nyah Marshall: “A nurses strike was avoided at University Hospital in Newark after union and hospital officials reached a tentative agreement Wednesday following months of negotiations. The agreement addresses the nurses' key demands, including a new wage scale, updated benefit standards and contract language guaranteeing improved nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, according to the union. Details of the contract will be finalized and made public after the nurses vote on the agreement Friday”
IT’S NOT A CIVIL WAR SUB. IT’S A CIVIL WAR HOAGIE — “A drone might have just uncovered a buried Civil War sub sought for decades,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Frank Kummer: “A report released last week by the engineering firm that conducted the drone survey indicates that a large magnetic anomaly weighing from two to 10 tons rests under the mud. The outline is roughly what would be expected of the iron-hulled sub, and in the believed location. However, more work needs to be done to confirm it is indeed Alligator Jr. ‘It’s been a 20-year adventure, and extremely enjoyable,’ said [Alice] Smith, the retired president of the Riverside Historical Society who lives in Delran. ‘I’d like to accept congratulations, but I think we’re at a point where there are some additional steps to take and I have some mixed emotions. Still, this is probably the best report that I’ve gotten in those 20 years.’” OPRA — “State police, prosecutor's office to handle public-record requests in Gaudreau case,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Two law enforcement agencies have a state judge's approval to handle public-record requests related to the deaths of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. The New Jersey State Police and Salem County Prosecutor’s Office have said they’re unlikely to release the full contents of 911 calls about an Aug. 29 traffic accident that killed the men as they bicycled along a rural road. The Gaudreau family went to court on Sept. 26 to block media requests for the 911 calls, saying their release would violate the survivors' privacy rights.” SAM ASHES — “Going for broke: NJ a top venue for corporate bankruptcy filings,” by NJBIZ’s Kimberly Redmond: “When it comes to corporate bankruptcy filings, New Jersey is becoming one of hottest venues in the country. After Delaware and the Southern District of Texas, New Jersey was the third most popular jurisdiction for large bankruptcy cases over the past year, according to a new report from San Francisco-based consulting firm Cornerstone Research. For the Garden State, it marks the first time the state’s bankruptcy caseload topped the Southern District of New York. It also furthers the local trend of growing corporate filings. In recent years, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey has seen a surge of bankruptcy cases from big names like Bed Bath & Beyond, David’s Bridal, Sam Ash, Rite Aid, BlockFi and WeWork. Up until 2023, when New Jersey saw seven large cases, the state, had about two big filings a year since 2005, on average. … The most commonly cited factors among the largest bankruptcies were rising costs due to high inflation/interest rates and lingering impacts of the pandemic.” —“NJ National Guard heads south to help as Hurricane Milton surges toward Florida” —“Cyberattack on N.J.-based American Water hasn’t affected water service yet” —“American Water cyberattack renews focus on protecting critical infrastructure” —“Sea monsters, aliens, ghosts: Check out these 4 urban legends from around North Jersey” —“N.J. is getting its first Mormon temple, church officials announce”
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