| | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Tuesday morning! Campaigns often boast about small dollar donations as a strength. And Bill Spadea did just that at the Republican gubernatorial debate last week. “I started a group called Elect Common Sense. And Elect Common Sense raised $1 million in 10 months and our average donation was $11.14 per person,” he said. Something’s always stuck out to me about donations to Spadea’s PAC, and more lately his campaign for governor. Quite often, donors are from faraway states, they list their occupation as retired, and they give small amounts repeatedly. Madison Fernandez and I also found that, unlike other New Jersey gubernatorial campaigns we looked at, Spadea’s fundraising appeals have an automatically-checked box to make donations recurring. “KEEP THIS BOX CHECKED,” the ads say. So we called a bunch of those donors. And of the more than a dozen we got in touch with, most had no idea who Bill Spadea was. And just two were aware that they were donating to him frequently. They were all over the age of 70. A common theme was they wanted to help Donald Trump. Indeed, when you look at the fundraising emails. They’re often about Trump — or at least a Trump. One I looked at about Melania Trump didn’t mention Spadea at all until the disclaimer at the bottom. ”I don’t understand it,” one of the donors, an 85-year-old from Georgia, told me. “It bothers me a lot. I don’t remember him … [I]t’s my personal money and my funds are limited. In fact, I’m totally out right now.” Since most of the donors weren’t even aware they were giving to Spadea, there’s no way to know for sure how they started giving. But it’s a reasonable guess that they intended to give a small amount once without realizing they were signing up for recurring donations. One of the donors we talked to had no idea who Spadea was, despite giving him a total of about $1,000. Then she discovered she had $4,000 of unknown donations to many different candidates. She canceled her credit card. While we didn’t see this pattern with other gubernatorial campaigns in New Jersey, plugging some of these donors’ names into the Federal Election Commission's website shows Spadea is not the only candidate doing this. Indeed, it was a significant scandal four years ago, when The New York Times wrote about the fundraising practice. We do not allege there’s anything illegal about this. But how would you feel if your non-tech-savvy parent or grandparent had their credit drained by political donations they didn’t know they were making? Read all about it here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sam Beson, Samantha Marcus, Jermaine James. Missed yesterday: Patrick Sheehan WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This agency must have the public trust and the fact that so many questions remain unanswered is a problem.” — State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, on whether State Commission of Investigation commissioners were aware of Tiffany Williams Brewer’s full-time job at Howard University when they hired her to lead the agency. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com | | | | We’ve re-imagined and expanded our Inside Congress newsletter to give you unmatched reporting on Capitol Hill politics and policy -- and we'll get it to your inbox even earlier. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
DON’T BUY LAND, A.J., ‘CAUSE NEW JERSEY IS MAKING MORE OF IT — “14,000 acres in reported land miscalculations threaten NJ’s goal to build affordable homes,” Gothamist’s Mike Hayes: “Officials from more than 100 New Jersey municipalities say the state overestimated the amount of developable land in their towns by more than 14,000 acres combined — the equivalent of more than 2,800 standard New York City blocks. The challenges threaten to set back a new push to build 84,000 low priced homes in the state over the next decade. The state used those land estimates to help calculate how many low-priced homes each of New Jersey's 564 municipalities is required to build under a state law passed last year. But town planners who spoke with Gothamist said the Department of Community Affairs, which was responsible for the assessments, included flood zones, municipal facilities, land already under development and preserved open space in the acreage it identified for possible affordable housing development … A Gothamist analysis shows that more than 120 towns are seeking to cut their requirements by a total of 11,256 affordable units, a possible 13% reduction of the state’s goal.”
NJ SINGLE-USE PAPER BAG BAN HAS CUT DOWN ON BRIBERY — “He is accused of accepting $10G in bribes in a paper bag. But was it just a trap?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “They wanted him to incriminate himself. At issue was a meet-up between a suspect and a cooperating witness in connection with a sweeping New Jersey corruption sting that would lead to the arrests of five low-level political figures in 2019. ‘The sole purpose of tonight’s meet is to generate a conversation of illegal financial support to O’Donnell in his upcoming bid for the mayoral seat,’ a deputy attorney general wrote in an email to a colleague. The meeting was between Jason O’Donnell — a former assemblyman seeking money to support a campaign he ultimately lost to become mayor of Bayonne — and a corrupt lawyer then working with authorities after he was caught in a scheme to pay off other elected officials in exchange for lucrative public contracts. But attorneys for O’Donnell, 53, say the email they recently obtained about illegal financial support showed he was essentially being lured into a trap … The Attorney General’s office denied the assertions. In their own brief, prosecutors said the state’s cooperating witness in the case, a now-disgraced Morristown lawyer by the name of Matthew O’Donnell (and no relation to Jason O’Donnell) told investigators back in January of 2018 after making a deal to cooperate with them that the candidate had sought campaign funds from him previously.” IN STUNNING MOVE, HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRAT CHOOSES TO DRAW JUST ONE PUBLIC SALARY — “Marenco won’t run again in LD-33, citing new North Bergen Housing Authority gig,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Assemblyman Julio Marenco (D-33) won’t seek re-election in the June 10th primary, citing his commitment to the North Bergen Housing Authority after becoming their executive director in September … ‘I believe that it would be best for the constituents I serve for me to suspend my campaign at this time in order to devote my full attention to my role as executive director of the North Bergen Housing Authority, as well as to continuing to provide excellent constituent services.’ … In June, Marenco was announced as part of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s slate as part of his bid for governor, one of four Hudson County incumbents, but he and Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) has since announced they won’t be running." HUNTERDON DEM CONVENTION TURNOUT RIVALS NEWARK PRIMARY ELECTION TURNOUT — “Baraka upbeat after Hunterdon,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “The [Newark] mayor’s journey west on I-78 seems to have paid off. [Ras] Baraka forced a runoff and finished second at Sunday’s Hunterdon County Democratic convention when it came to endorsing a gubernatorial candidate. Mikie Sherrill won the endorsement with 89 votes compared to 68 for Baraka … To many observers looking at this race, Baraka was the candidate of Newark — of urban New Jersey. And not a bucolic place like Hunterdon County. But from what we can tell, Baraka spent some time in Hunterdon, talking to local Dems. In other words, he did not limit his visit to speaking at the county commission meeting, although that seems to have been important.” IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE EXPENSIVE TO PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET — “Donald Trump's shadow looms large over NJ's governor race. This is how,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “The six Democratic candidates demonstrated how Trump’s victory has complicated their path forward. Under normal circumstances, the Democrats should be resting on their formidable position, namely a 900,000-voter advantage over the Republicans. But Trump had success in capturing the blue stronghold of Passaic County and making eye-popping in-roads among Latino communities around the state, including the Democratic Party heartland of Hudson County." GO BIG AND GO HOME — “N.J. governor’s big plan to overhaul parole system and give second chances,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “People on parole in New Jersey are often sentenced for technical violations, not new arrests, according to the state Office of Public Defender. Now, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration is promising reform to make things less punitive. Murphy first pitched his plans at his State of the State address last month. They require legislation and a sponsor has been lined up, but the bill has not yet been introduced … The governor wants to limit instances when a technical parole violation would send someone back to prison in New Jersey, allowing parolees to have two technical violations before penalties set in. Those penalties would be graduated after that. Statistics by the Public Defender’s office show 67% of individuals faced parole revocation due to technical violations, not for new criminal offenses.” PETERPAUL AND MARGIE — “Two Republicans emerge to take on Peterpaul and Donlon in Monmouth,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Monmouth County Republicans appear to have settled on Andrew Wardell, a former Neptune City Mayor, and Jessica Ford to take on first-term Assemblywomen Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch) and Margie Donlon (D-Ocean) in the politically competitive 11th district … Wardell lost his bid for re-election in 2023 by 17 votes to Democrat Rachel McGreevy, who was boosted by the landslide victory of State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch). This is Ford’s second bid for office: she ran for the Neptune Township Committee last year and lost by 3,722 votes. Wardell was elected mayor in 2019 by 13 points.” CANNED — Robert Canfield, a nominal candidate running for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, announced late on Sunday evening that he suspended his campaign and endorsed Bill Spadea. Canfield cited recently signed legislation that makes it harder to get on the ballot, saying in a statement that “Trenton’s recent move to increase signature requirements for ballot access is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to limit outsider candidates from challenging the political establishment.” — Madison Fernandez — "N.J. school districts can’t enact controversial new policies about transgender kids — for now, court says" — “GOP bill would expand automatic voter registration to gun, hunting permits” — “With federal funding at risk, calls grow for state to prep for ‘bumpy times’” — “Why Uber and Lyft will no longer be part of this popular NJ Transit program” — “Ramirez bill would make posting sexually explicit images of a candidate a crime” — “Ex-Supreme Court justice joins Archer & Grenier” | | | | A new era in Washington calls for sharper insights. Get faster policy scoops, more congressional coverage, and a re-imagined newsletter under the leadership of Jack Blanchard. Subscribe to our Playbook Newsletter today. | | | | | | | TRUMP ERA | |
MEDICAID IN DYING — “NJ grapples with real prospect Republicans will slash Medicaid,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Lilo H. Stainton: “Republicans in Congress are considering massive spending cuts and program changes to pay for sweeping tax cuts sought by President Donald Trump. A 50-page list of programs targeted for reduction or elimination includes proposals to slash funding for Medicaid and to cut money for hospitals in poor communities or eliminate subsidies that help middle-class people afford health insurance. Some changes could save as much as $900 billion over a decade, according to the Republican analysis. Medicaid covers nearly 2 million people in New Jersey, including more than 30,000 individuals with disabilities and at least 60% of nursing home residents, and pays for more than one-third of all births, state figures show. The program will cost more than $21 billion this year, with $12 billion from federal sources, $6 billion from state tax dollars and $2 billion from other sources, according to a nonpartisan legislative analysis of the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.” OH HELL NIH — “NJ joins fight against attempt to defund medical research,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Raven Santana: “New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin has joined 21 other attorneys general to sue the Trump administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health over funding for cutting-edge medical and public health research. The group is suing over the Trump administration’s attempts to cut 'indirect cost' reimbursements at research institutions, covering biomedical research, labs, faculty and infrastructure. Most NIH-funded research occurs outside of federal government institutions at public and private universities and colleges." THE VART OF POLITICS — Another Democrat wants to take on Kean, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: A second Democrat has stepped forward to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th Congressional District. Greg Vartan, a councilmember from Summit who briefly sought the Democratic nomination in the district last year, formally announced his 2026 campaign Monday. “I was raised to believe that if you worked hard, everyone got the chance to get ahead,” Vartan said in a statement. “That way of life is gone — instead of working for New Jersey families, Tom Kean has sat quietly and watched [Donald] Trump and [Elon] Musk sow chaos in Washington. While he continues to fold to fringe extremists, New Jersey families are left to wonder how they will afford to live in this district and who will stand up for them.” BUT I THOUGHT THEY STOPPED WIND POWER TO SAVE SEA LIFE — "Jersey Shore lab is in peril because of Trump freeze on $5M, Congressman says," by NJ Advance Media's Steven Rodas: "A halt on federal funds and hiring freezes are trickling down to the Jersey Shore with more concerns on the horizon, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone called out Monday afternoon. Specifically, the inability to hire and the at least temporary loss of $5 million from the Inflation Reduction Act threaten operations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sandy Hook, officials with the Congressman’s office told NJ Advance Media in a statement. The primary mission of the lab is 'to conduct research in ecology, leading to a better understanding of both coastal and estuarine organisms and the effects of human activities on nearshore marine populations and their habitats,' according to researchers there." — “Here's how Trump's new tariffs on steel and aluminum will affect NJ consumers, businesses” | | LOCAL | |
UNHAPPY GILMORE — “Paterson developer hires PI to get dirt on city official. It's not the first time,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Charles Florio, the city's most prominent housing developer, hired a private investigator who he says compiled evidence of Florio nemesis and municipal official David Gilmore committing ‘time theft’ involving his job. Florio’s investigator, Harry Melber, said in his report that he followed Gilmore for at least 14 days between November and January. Melber’s report says he found at least five instances in which Gilmore, Paterson’s director of community improvements, took lunch breaks that were more than two hours, including trips to the Grand Lux Cafe in Paramus, the Kosher Nosh in Fair Lawn, and Jamie’s Cigar Bar and Restaurant in Clifton. Gilmore brushed aside the allegations, saying the developer was trying to distract people’s attention from the hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid sewer connection fees that Florio owes Paterson. Florio has said he is making monthly payments of $50,000 to address his Paterson sewer fee backlog. ‘Why is he so obsessed with me?’ Gilmore said. ‘Why doesn’t he put some effort into paying the city what he owes?’”
MASTROS IN TRAINING — “Lawyers take home over $3 million from school buildings fight,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Therese Jacob: “The legal fees associated with Superintendent Roger Leon’s attempts to have two district properties 'unsold' have now exceeded $3 million. The district sold the two buildings for $1.8 million combined — so legal fees in trying to get the buildings back have now dwarfed what the district received from their sale … The Newark Board of Education has spent nearly $1.6 million in legal fees, according to invoices obtained through an Open Public Records Act request. The Newark Housing Authority has spent over $1 million in fees and Friends of TEAM, which supports the KIPP charter schools in Newark, has spent about $380,000 … The costly saga began in 2016, when then Superintendent Chris Cerf, facing school budget deficits, decided to sell underutilized and unused school buildings … In 2020, Superintendent Roger León sought to have the properties at the State Street and Maple Avenue schools 'unsold' by suing the Newark Housing Authority, the Hanini Group, and Friends of TEAM. Neither the lawsuit, nor the subsequent appeal, were voted on by Board of Education members.” — “The Cherry Hill school board has banned cell phones for its members during meetings — mirroring a student phone ban” — “Ocean City resident wants to take her own video at meetings” — “The fight against Route 75: A turning point for Newark’s Black political power” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NO, NO, NO! OH, REILLY! — Cardinal orders review of abuse investigation tied to Seton Hall president, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: New Jersey's highest-ranking Catholic Church leader on Monday said he had hired a law firm to conduct a "comprehensive third-party review" of a 2019 investigation into sexual abuse at Seton Hall University that implicated its new president. The announcement by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of the Diocese of Newark, follows reporting by POLITICO that the university promoted Monsignor Joseph Reilly to the presidency despite recommendations, which the university adopted, that he be removed from school boards and the leadership position he held at the time … Tobin said on Monday he had hired the firm Ropes & Gray to review the facts regarding the investigation and the Latham & Watkins report, "as well as any and all other findings, including the development of the Responsive Action Plan" that the university adopted.
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