| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | Good Wednesday morning! The national election looks like it’s headed in Donald Trump’s direction. New Jersey Democrats have kept their grip on most of the state’s federal offices, though it sure threatened to slip. Polls had barely been closed when the AP called the state for Democrats Andy Kim and Kamala Harris. But it appears that Harris’ margin over Donald Trump in New Jersey will be in the single digits. By the time I put this newsletter to bed, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean held a 7-point lead over Democratic challenger Sue Altman with 90 percent of precincts reporting and had declared victory. “Tonight, we celebrate not just a victory, but a commitment to the hard work ahead,” Kean said at his election night, thanking Altman for running a “spirited race.” In his victory speech he talked about the border, inflation, supporting the police, Israel and Ukraine. Altman acknowledged she likely lost in what she dubbed a “provisional concession” but pledged, “I think it is a district Democrats will win in the near future.” While Democrat Nellie Pou declared victory in the 9th District, the AP had not called the race as of late last night and Republican Billy Prempeh, running his third race for the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, trailed Pou by just 4 points in the AP count at about midnight. That was not supposed to be a competitive district. More on that below. Another big drama of the day took place in in Burlington County, where Attorney General Matt Platkin successfully sued to keep polls open an extra hour. People had reported waiting three or four hours to vote in some towns, and many blamed the new voting machines . But county officials said insisted were working well and blamed high turnout, even if there weren’t so many widespread voting issues elsewhere in the state. But this being New Jersey, at least one voter knew exactly how to cope with the long wait times: Order pizza. Now we’ve officially crossed into the 2025 governor’s race . Expect more candidates — especially freshly reelected Democratic Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer — to officially declare their candidacies soon, even if they’ve been all but running for months. And Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, an already-declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate, distributed flyers around Essex County. On the Republican side, I think this helps Bill Spadea in the primary. There almost certainly won’t be organization lines, and it seems like a good bet that Trump will endorse him. We don’t yet know the final margin of the presidential race in New Jersey, but it’s much closer than usual for a federal election. With 87 percent reporting last night, Harris led by just 5 points. — Daniel Han contributed reporting. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m having a hard time processing this moment right now, I’ll be honest with you.” — Andy Kim during his victory speech HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Nabila Baptiste, Jesse O. Kurtz, Axel Owen, Bill Thomson. WHERE’S MURPHY? Flying to the U.K. for a two-city “economic mission” trip. | | | | A message from Uber: Uber Expands Safety Features For Drivers. Uber’s CEO met with drivers and couriers to unveil new updates to make their experience safer and fairer. Among them, Record My Ride lets drivers use their phones as a dashcam on trips. Uber also revamped its deactivation processes, enabling drivers to appeal decisions directly in the app. Learn more. | | | |  | BIDEN TIME | | WHOA NELLIE — It looked like an inexplicable political earthquake. In New Jersey’s 9th District, where Nellie Pou declared victory, a data error in AP results initially showed Green Party candidate Benjamin Taylor leading the field by a lot . That was quickly corrected. Nevertheless, the race is far closer than anticipated. Since politicians often know the votes before the media, I called Passaic County Democratic Chair John Currie, who told me he’s confident Pou’s big margin in Paterson would make her the winner, at 11,347 for Pou to 4,921 for Prempeh with some precincts left to report. But in Passaic County’s other big Democratic towns, Clifton and Passaic, the margin was actually very close as of late last night, with Pou leading by just under 200 votes in Clifton and by under 600 in Passaic. I wasn’t able to get into the Bergen County results town by town, but Pou was trailing there late at night, and her lead in deeply Democratic Hudson County — about 7 points — was also quite narrow. POLITICIANS: THEY’RE JUST LIKE US! — “Regular Guy Kim Shows Up to Vote on Election Day,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Throughout an ordeal that began almost 14 months ago, Andy Kim has sought to establish himself as a regular guy – a guy who went to public schools and who still lives in that very same town. And on Election Day in this Burlington County town, Kim was indeed a ‘regular’ voter. When Kim, his wife and two children, arrived to vote around 8:30 a.m. at a local Baptist Church, the line snaked out the door and into the parking lot. Kim is a candidate for the United States Senate. And a sitting Congressman. One presumes somebody could have talked to somebody and gotten Kim to skip the line. But no, he and his family members assumed their spot at the end of the line.” FROM PENNSVILLE — “Jury convicts Army vet from N.J. of assaulting police during Jan. 6 riot,” by Kevin Shea for NJ.com: “A federal jury in Washington, D.C. convicted an Army veteran from New Jersey of assaulting police officers inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The jury also found Brian Bingham, 38, of Pennsville in Salem County, guilty of another felony, civil disorder, and four related misdemeanors for being disorderly and disruptive in the Capitol. Bingham’s trial started late last week. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February. In court documents and trial testimony, federal authorities showed Bingham repeatedly confronting and taunting police officers who were trying to clear rioters from the Capitol. When one officer pushed Bingham toward an exit with his baton, Bingham lunged and struck the officer in the face with his right hand, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington said in a statement.” WHAT ABOUT THIS BOB? — Republican State Chair Bob Hugin has now used profanity in two federal elections in a row. In 2022, he called U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill a “a piece of shit congresswoman.” And last night he expressed his displeasure with the same naughty word when the AP called the Senate race for Kim right after polls closed. “It's a bullshit thing that you guys do in your business,” Hugin said, according to The Record’s Daniel Munoz. But let’s be honest: This only just qualifies as profanity in The Garden State. — “What's the mood of South Jersey voters? Our conversations with those casting their ballots” — “ After tough primary, Rep. Menendez easily elected to 2nd term in general election”
| | | | A message from Uber:   | | | | | LOCAL | | R.I.P. — “Hoboken Council President Jen Giattino passes away suddenly at 52 years old,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Hoboken Council President Jen Giattino, who was elected to her fourth term to the council representing the 6th Ward last year, passed away suddenly at 52 years old this evening leaving the community at large in utter disbelief. ‘I am heartbroken to share that my beloved wife, Jen—the love of my life and mother of our three children—passed away suddenly. She was not only an incredible mother but also a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about this community’ her husband Joe Giattino said in a statement. ‘Jen’s unwavering commitment, kindness, and passion touched so many lives here in Hoboken. We are devastated by her loss, and I ask for privacy for our family as we try to navigate this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding and for keeping Jen in your thoughts and prayers.’ Giattino was first elected in 2011 on then-Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s ticket and won re-election convincingly in 2015, 2019, and 2023, most recently securing two thirds of the vote despite running against two opponents, with one backed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla. She had a stellar record of being responsive to constituents and was known to genuinely enjoy hitting doors during campaign season, a combination that made her a tough opponent to overcome.” MONICA MOSLEY — “4th man charged with murder in shooting death of N.J. prosecutor’s office detective,” by Matt Gray for NJ.com: " Authorities have charged a fourth man with murder in the Oct. 15 home invasion shooting death of a Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office detective. Byron L. Thomas, 35, of Paulsboro, is charged in the killing of Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday morning. … Thomas is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree murder during the commission of a burglary, second-degree burglary, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon, third-degree hindering apprehension and fourth-degree obstruction of justice. Thomas was charged on Friday and taken into custody on Saturday, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a Tuesday press release about the charges.” MERCURIOUS — “Calls for prosecution in Upper Township mercury tests ,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow : “The revelation that tests showing extremely high levels of mercury in the drinking water of some homes has led to anger, relief and more, and raised multiple questions. So far, one of the biggest is ‘Why?’ ‘I wouldn’t speculate,’ Mayor Jay Newman said Monday. ‘Who can tell why people do things?’ State and local officials say whoever is responsible should face significant punishment, including the potential of criminal charges, along with potential fines and civil action. As of Monday, there was no indication that a suspect had been identified. About a dozen homes were impacted by the unnerving discovery of mercury in wells above the maximum amount considered safe, 2 parts per billion.” — “[Vineland] school pays $150K to 8th grader who got thousands of sexual emails from teacher” — “Another Hoboken building owner sues rent leveling board & city over rent control exemption”
| | EVERYTHING ELSE | | THE INTERIM MCCOY — “ With top exec’s departure, CFO will step in to keep Gateway Tunnel project moving,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “With CEO Kris Kolluri’s resignation effective this coming Friday, Gateway Development Commission officials named the agency’s Chief Financial Officer as acting CEO to keep the $16 billion rail tunnel project moving ahead. The bi-state commission’s board named Patrick McCoy, GDC’s Chief Financial Officer, as Acting Chief Executive Officer, while a search for a permanent CEO is likely to continue past Kolluri’s Nov. 8 departure date, GDC leadership said in a statement. McCoy, who served as deputy CFO, was named permanent CFO on April 16. The commission hired a national search firm that is in the process of interviewing ‘excellent candidates’ to replace Kolluri, officials said.” — “NJ drugmaker paying $10M to settle claims it conspired with others to jack up prices,” by Asbury Park Press’ Michael L. Diamond: “Heritage Pharmaceuticals, a generic drugmaker once headquartered in Eatontown, will pay $10 million to settle charges that it was engaged in a conspiracy to artificially inflate prices on prescription drugs, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. As part of the agreement, Heritage officials will cooperate in ongoing lawsuits filed by New Jersey and other states against 30 drug companies and 25 individual executives, authorities said.” SEX ABUSE LAWSUITS — “ They’re seeking justice under a new N.J. law. Meet the Philly-area lawyers who are representing hundreds of child sex abuse cases,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Melanie Burney: "When New Jersey relaxed the law in 2019 for child sexual abuse victims to file civil lawsuits against their predators, it opened a floodgate of legal cases. … Nearly 600 cases across the state, more than any other firm, have been filed by John Baldante and his associate Daniella Price. … Baldante said his firm shifted gears to handle 'an avalanche' of cases that landed in its lap. The firm has the largest inventory of child sexual abuse cases, he said. It is believed that as many as 2,000 civil cases have been filed since New Jersey carved out an exception to the statute of limitation. … Five years after the law was changed, those cases are being resolved either through settlements or jury verdicts. Baldante estimates that his firm has settled about two dozen cases, with a typical average of about $2.5 million to $3 million, and several hundred cases are pending.” — “Ex corrections officer who watched inmate beatings gets jail time”
| | | | A message from Uber: Uber’s Latest Updates Put Drivers First
At an in-person event with drivers, Uber’s CEO announced updates to give them more peace of mind. Uber has started flagging inappropriate rider behavior when drivers report it. The Record My Ride feature allows drivers to capture video and audio during trips, improving accountability and safety. Plus the app also got more hands-free with Siri voice commands, letting drivers focus on the road while staying connected. Learn more. | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |
