| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Friday morning! Today, Rep. Josh Gottheimer kicks off his gubernatorial campaign at a diner in South Hackensack. It’s a working-class part of his district that probably reflects the direction Democrats want to take to appeal to working class voters who went for Trump, as South Hackensack and much of South Bergen did. It’s also fortunate timing. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul just made her attempt to renew congestion pricing , first reported by POLITICO earlier this week. And Gottheimer has been New Jersey’s most high-profile opponent, though a whole bunch of other politicians in the state have come out against it as well. But a primary election message is different than a general one. And it's not clear whether New Jersey progressives — who could have outsized influence in the primary without the line — will be in a conciliatory mood as Trump, especially if Trump's cabinet picks are a sign of things to come. While it’s generally a no-brainer to oppose a policy that’s going to cost New Jersey drivers more money, if there’s one group of voters more sympathetic to congestion pricing, it’s probably the one that shows up in Democratic primaries. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Daddy’s home, you know, and things are going to change, and we’re going to go back to being a strong America.” — Rep. Jeff Van Drew HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Aura Dunn, Christina Zuk, Aura Dunn, Christina Zuk, Matt Fried (sans man). Saturday for Tony Ciavolella, Ilene Lampitt, Shai Goldstein. Sunday for Nicholas Sacco, Betty Lou DeCroce. WHERE’S MURPHY?
Acting Gov. Way is in Teaneck at 7:30 p.m. for the Jessie Banks Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Scholarship Awards Gala.
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FLIGHT OF THE VALKURPHIES — "How often does Gov. Phil Murphy fly in New Jersey State Police helicopters?" by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “While Gov. Phil Murphy may have access to a taxpayer-funded helicopter, he’s certainly not putting it to use the way his predecessor did. Records obtained through a public records request by NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network show that Murphy has used the chopper a scant 34 of times since assuming office in 2018. Murphy utilized the perk a dozen times during that first year, the most of his administration. He used it eight times in 2021, six in 2022, three in 2023, twice in 2019 as well as so far this year and just once in 2020 ... Christie made nearly 100 trips in 2015 and 2016 but that wasn’t unprecedented. Former Gov. Jim McGreevey used the helicopter more than 250 times in his first year in office, and former Gov. Jim Florio used it more than 2,300 times in his four-year term, according to NJ.com … The helicopter isn’t exclusively Murphy's to use either. It is a privilege of the governor’s office so in the event Murphy is out of state, helicopter access is available to the acting governor. And on Aug. 7, 2023, while serving as acting governor, Senate President Nick Scutari logged a flight. He used the helicopter for a flight that included stops in Trenton, Linden and Atlantic City.”
MAYBE IT JUST SEEMS THAT WAY — “Cannabis operators say consumption lounge process too slow,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Raven Sanatana: “The state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved rules for consumption lounges in January, but no applications are yet available to entrepreneurs who want to open the lounges. Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez, CEO and founder of The Other Side Dispensary in Jersey City, said waiting for the green light from the commission hasn’t just been time-consuming, it’s also been expensive. And without a timeline or direction from the state on how she can build out her consumption lounge, she said she is stuck in limbo. ‘We have built this business organically through community and this dispensary is performing very, very well. But the reality is that we take on so much debt, there is so much red tape and the waiting game month over month paying for rent…’ Chris Riggs, chief counsel for the commission, said, ‘I don’t think there are any obstacles. I think we have the rules in place. I think that we were concerned about the market and making sure that this industry gets established before diving into a new space with consumption areas.’” | | | | The lame duck session could reshape major policies before year's end. Get Inside Congress delivered daily to follow the final sprint of dealmaking on defense funding, AI regulation and disaster aid. Subscribe now. | | | | |
IN THE YEAR 2025 — “For Gottheimer and Sherrill, electability could be a potent argument,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “The dramatic shift towards Republicans in New Jersey’s 2024 presidential election likely means that Democrats running for governor in 2025 will all want to incorporate a new message into their pitch to Democratic voters: that they, more than any of their opponents, are best-positioned to keep the state blue. And two prospective contenders, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) and Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), have some very recent evidence working in their favor. In their races last Tuesday, Gottheimer and Sherrill – who are both expected to launch their gubernatorial campaigns in the next few days – each won by convincing margins. Sherrill beat Republican Joe Belnome 56% to 42% in the 11th congressional district, while Gottheimer defeated Mary Jo Guinchard 54% to 43% in the 5th district. (Results are subject to change slightly prior to certification as the remaining mail-in ballots and provisional ballots are counted.) More critically, both substantially outperformed the top of the ticket.”
SCWHY? — “ 4 months after director died, SCI won't say who's running the watchdog agency,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Michael L. Diamond: “Four months after its executive director died in a car accident, the New Jersey commission designed to root out mismanagement and corruption in the state has yet to select a replacement, and it isn't clear who has been leading the agency. A spokesperson for the State Commission of Investigation said the commission is working to fill vacancies in accordance with its authorizing statutes, but she didn't address whether an interim executive director had been named, who was actually running the watchdog agency, or provide a job posting. As of Wednesday, neither the state government job board nor the SCI website was advertising for the position … The Asbury Park Press asked SCI a month ago who was in charge of the agency in the aftermath of Lackey's death. The newspaper never received a response and followed up with a detailed list of questions about the SCI's leadership structure this week.” MONOFAIL — “Newark Liberty airport's new AirTrain price tag swells by 75% to $3.5 billion ,” by The Record’s Daniel Munoz: “Port Authority officials are projecting a massive 75% cost increase for construction of a 2.5-mile modern AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport. On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board approved an increase of the cost estimate by $1.45 billion, to a total of nearly $3.5 billion. Mega-projects such as the AirTrain — those ‘north of $1 billion’ — have been hampered by ‘COVID-related construction costs, disrupted supply chains and dramatically reduced construction market risk appetite on mega-projects,’ said Port Authority’s chief operating officer, James Heitmann, during Thursday's board meeting. JUDGE NOT — “Jill Mayer was confirmed for judgeship three years ago, fought to double-dip and won. now she doesn’t want the job,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Jill Mayer, who held a Superior Court judgeship hostage for three years while mounting a legal battle to keep her state pension while serving on the bench, won’t accept the post after all. The hoggish Mayer has received another offer, the New Jersey Globe has learned. The State Senate confirmed Mayer, a former Camden County Prosecutor and deputy attorney general, to her judgeship in January 2022, but she has delayed taking the oath of office for 34 months while she fought to double dip.” —“ PATH fare hike in new Port Authority budget. See how much you will have to pay” —“ NJ school board elections are supposed to be nonpartisan. What happened?” —“Will NJ gas tax rise? Stay tuned” —“Progressive think tank urges tax hikes to close budget gaps” —“ New Jersey Assembly moves ball on possibly banning prop bets on college athletes” —“Judge dismisses Derrick Green lawsuit against Fulop ” —Snowflack: “Living in an individual gubernatorial bubble” | | BIDEN TIME | |
THE DREAD KENNEDY — Trump expected to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS, by POLITICO’s Meredith McGraw and Chelsea Ciruzzo: President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate former presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a person with direct knowledge of the selection. The expected pick, which will roil many public health experts, comes after Trump promised to let Kennedy “go wild” with health and food policy in his administration after Kennedy dropped his own presidential bid to endorse the now-president-elect. It’s also a sign of the opening Trump sees after he scored a decisive electoral victory and Republicans won a comfortable majority in the Senate … Kennedy, 70, may still face a steep slope to confirmation after his years of touting debunked claims that vaccines cause autism, written a book accusing former National Institutes of Health official Anthony Fauci of conspiring with tech mogul Bill Gates and drugmakers to sell Covid-19 vaccines and said regulatory officials are industry puppets who should be removed.
HERBAL REMEDY — " Twenty years after first campaign, Herb Conaway at last arrives in Washington," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Twenty years have gone by since Herb Conaway’s first campaign for New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district. In 2004, Conaway – then a four-term assemblyman from Burlington County – ran against Rep. Jim Saxton (R-Mount Holly) and got crushed by nearly 30 percentage points, shattering his dreams of becoming South Jersey’s first Black congressman. This year, those dreams have finally been realized. Conaway arrived in Washington this week for new House member orientation, having won a redrawn version of the same 3rd congressional district last Tuesday over Republican Rajesh Mohan by a 53% to 45% margin. He’ll succeed Senator-elect Andy Kim, whose Senate campaign opened up the Burlington County-based district this year and gave Conaway an unexpected second shot at national prominence." | | | LOCAL | | |
RINGWOOD OF FIRE — “West Milford, Ringwood residents said they feared wildfire would take their homes,” by The Record’s Matt Fagan: “Would the wildfire take their home? Should they pack up and evacuate? These are the thoughts and fears expressed by some residents of Ringwood and West Milford who live near the Jennings Creek wildfire that has been burning since Friday. On Wednesday afternoon, as winds died down and firefighters said they had contained about 30% of the fire, the residents began to relax a bit.“
GROUNDED — “ Atlantic City Council postpones ordinance on lowering age to vote in school board elections,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “ City Council postponed a public hearing on an ordinance to lower the voting age for school board elections in the city to 16 from 18 at its meeting Wednesday night. Sponsor and Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz said there were still some details to be worked out before it comes up for consideration again. He declined to be more specific … The ordinance was ‘adjourned indefinitely,’ officials said.” | | | | Policy change is coming—be the pro who saw it first. Access POLITICO Pro’s Issue Analysis series on what the transition means for agriculture, defense, health care, tech, and more. Strengthen your strategy. | | | | |
‘CAUSE THIS IS DRILLER, DRILLER NIGHT — “Business spat between current and former Paterson councilmen gets thornier,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “The business dispute between Councilman Michael Jackson and former councilman Rigo Rodriguez has reached a new level. Jackson on Friday filed a burglary complaint with Paterson police saying he thinks Rodriguez stole $1,050 in power tools from Jackson's restaurant, called Jacksonville. The councilman filed that report nine days after Rodriguez told police that Jackson made threats against him. The hostilities are fueled by a conflict over the ownership of Jacksonville, a business on Grand Street that Jackson had run for many years … Rodriguez, who owns an auto parts store two doors down from Jacksonville, has told Paterson police multiple times that he acquired the restaurant property through a foreclosure sale during the summer. But Jackson has insisted that Rodrguez does not own Jacksonville and had no right to be inside the business.”
THE SOUTH JERSEY OF SOUTH JERSEY — “Cumberland Democrats retain clerkship, flip commissioner seat ,” by New Jersey Globe’s Zach Blackburn: “ Cumberland County flipped to Donald Trump last week, but downballot Democrats still appear to have had their strongest showing in years, likely winning a county commission seat for the first time since 2020. Democratic County Clerk Celeste Riley — who right now is the only countywide Democrat in Cumberland — won reelection, defeating GOP Commissioner Victoria Lods 52%-48% … GOP Commissioner Antonio Romero won reelection to the commission and possesses a 561-vote lead over his next competitor. Democrat Robert Austino, who served as Cumberland’s sheriff for 15 years until losing in 2023, appears to have unseated GOP Commissioner Joseph Sileo Jr. by about 50 votes … Democrat John Capizola, running 600 votes behind the other candidates, has lost. Republicans will still firmly hold the commission 6-1 with Austino’s victory. The downballot success comes despite a chaotic year for Cumberland Democrats.” —“A hotel is planned for the Wonderland Pier site, saving the carousel and Ferris wheel ” —“After the JJ closes, we must find new ways to bring accountability, community voices to forefront in Jersey City | Opinion” —“Trump will end offshore wind industry, opponents tell Atlantic City council” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
ALL IN THE FAMILY — “ Norcross family buys up $25M stake in Mid Penn Bancorp,” by The Philadelphia Business Journal: “ Embattled South Jersey power broker George Norcross and his family have invested more than $25 million to buy over 6% of Harrisburg’s Mid Penn Bancor … Mid Penn …. announced on Nov. 1 that it plans to further expand in the Philadelphia area through a $127 million acquisition of Bristol’s William Penn Bancorp … Norcross …, is joined in the investor group by his two children, PhillyVoice founder and Chairwoman Lexie Norcross and Alexander S. Norcross, an assistant vice president and private banker at Mid Penn. Also part of the group is Philip Norcross, CEO of South Jersey law firm Parker McKay and brother of George Norcross, and Susan Hudson … The move to buy into Mid Penn comes less than a year after an activist investment group comprising George Norcross, former TD Bank U.S. CEO Greg Braca and Philip Norcross withdrew a $35 million investment offer to gain control of Philadelphia’s Republic First Bancorp following a two-year proxy battle. The Norcross-Braca group bought almost 10% of Republic First in early 2022. Republic First failed in April and its assets were sold by the FDIC to Fulton Financial Corp.”
—“ Extreme drought conditions spread to 8 N.J. counties. See latest map” —“ Netflix at Fort Monmouth: Construction plans unveiled to public, studio seeks Oceanport OK” —"Retailer settles claims it illegally sold high capacity magazines to N.J. residents"
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