| | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Monday morning! Gov. Phil Murphy and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Spadea aren’t going to like reading this, but those two have something in common: Saying they didn't say things that they did say. Seriously. We’ve been over this with Murphy quite a bit regarding his comments that suggested he housed an undocumented immigrant above his garage. Sure, if you listen to his words very carefully, he didn’t explicitly say it. But the meaning was clear. But there’s more. When asked last week about New Jersey’s status as a sanctuary state, Murphy said “That’s sort of a verbiage or a label that we’ve never really accepted” – then went on to defend the Immigrant Trust Directive, which is what most people would consider the implementation of the sanctuary state idea. Here’s what Murphy said in a 2017 debate with Kim Guadagno: “If need be, we will be a sanctuary not just city but state.” As for Spadea, he made news during the raucous Republican debate by pledging to serve just one term. Or did he? Here’s the quote: “I’m going to commit to you tonight to serve one term as your governor, because we have to separate the politics of reelection from the job of governing.” The news coverage and social media response to Spadea’s statement took it at face value. I parsed his words in last Wednesday's edition of this newsletter, noting they didn’t explicitly rule out another term, but that the meaning was plain. But on Friday, Spadea told POLITICO’s Daniel Han that, well, actually, he wasn’t saying he wouldn’t seek a second term. “I’m going to commit to serving one term. And ... if the people of New Jersey, say, ‘Wow, that was great’ well, then we can have a discussion about the possibility of another term,” Spadea said. Spadea’s explanation effectively makes his pledge meaningless. Most politicians don’t start talking about reelection during the first part of their terms, even if you can bet they’re thinking about it. As Rider University’s Micah Rasmussen put it, Spadea’s statement “conveyed a very clear understanding.” “Walking them back undermines the notion that he means what he says, that what he says can be taken at face value,” Rasmussen wrote. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Phil Morin, Mark Bonamo, Kelly Redkoles QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They are simply trying to dismantle the government. So, yes, look, if we have to take steps to be able to hold them accountable — we use the leverage that we have to force it.” — Sen. Andy Kim on Meet the Press TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | SAVED FROM EMBA-RAS-MENT — Sherrill wins first Democratic county convention, by POLITICO's Daniel Han and Madison Fernandez: New Jersey — Rep. Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey’s first Democratic county convention on Sunday — notching an early symbolic victory in the party primary for governor. The contest to win the endorsement of the Hunterdon County Democrats had less than 200 participating voters — made up of low-level party officials and Democratic activists — and covers one of the smallest counties in New Jersey where Democrats are the minority party. But the win gives Sherrill momentum in the race. It solidifies her position as the frontrunner in the primary — and proves her standing in the race is built off more than party leaders who have coalesced behind her. Speaking with reporters, Sherrill described a governorship focused on perennial concerns of affordability, but also vowed to push back against the new Trump administration. “I think it's important now to stand up against what's coming from Washington, but at the same time to build out a broad coalition among people that want to see housing costs go down, that want to understand what their job is going to be in the future,” Sherrill said. The convention also had a somewhat unexpected runner up: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. The race came down to a run-off vote — a candidate needed to win a majority of delegates to win the convention under the party bylaws — after no candidates won a majority of the initial vote. Sherrill beat Baraka by a margin of 89-67.
GET OUTTA HERE WITH YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR YOUR HUDDLED MASSES — It’s a race for NJ governor, but Republicans want to focus on immigration, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: The path for a Republican to occupy the New Jersey governor’s mansion may run along the nation’s southern border. New Jersey is around 2,000 miles from Mexico, but immigration is a focus in the state’s Republican primary for governor — and the issue is shaping up as a key fight over which candidate can win over the Donald Trump-loving base. The path for a Republican to occupy the New Jersey governor’s mansion may run along the nation’s southern border. The two top GOP candidates are aligning themselves with the Trump administration’s strict immigration agenda — with one welcoming limits to birthright citizenship and another considering using the National Guard to prevent migrants from arriving in the state.”
— New Jersey’s ultimate traveling schmoozefest draws big field of candidates for governor"
THEY KEY TO DEALING WITH POLITICALLY-SENSITIVE BILLS IS TO NOT READ THEM — “Amid ICE raids and deportation threats, N.J. Democrats are split on immigrant protection bill,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Netio-Munoz: “In the years following Donald Trump’s first election as president, New Jersey Democrats banned immigration detention centers and approved driver’s licenses for all residents regardless of immigration status. But with Trump’s second term underway, legislative leaders have not moved a bill that would codify protections for undocumented immigrants, even amid renewed pressure from activists and Trump’s push to make good on his threat to jail and deport undocumented immigrants … Dubbed the Immigrant Trust Act, the bill was introduced in September but has not advanced. Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) said he still hasn’t read it, so he ‘can’t really speak intelligently in terms of what it does and what it doesn’t do.’ ‘But that’s not to say that the bill passes or doesn’t pass. It just hasn’t been considered yet,’ Scutari said, adding it’s a ‘complicated issue.’ … Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) declined to comment.”
—“ICE raid in Newark reignites call for permanent immigration protections in N.J.” JERSEY SCOURGE — “New evidence allowed in brazen Jersey Shore polluter case. Site considered one of worst in U.S.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “It’s not the final victory Jersey Shore advocates are looking for, but it’s a big step in that direction. Nonprofit Save Barnegat Bay and Toms River officials have long challenged a proposed $500,000 settlement between the state of New Jersey and BASF, which took over Ciba-Geigy and is blamed for decades of pollution at its former 1,255-acre chemical manufacturing site. A court order issued Tuesday will allow new evidence to be considered in the challenge, according to documents provided this week to NJ Advance Media. The additional items will provide a better understanding of groundwater and other toxic impacts polluters brought to the region’s land and water, Save Barnegat Bay said … The settlement would force BASF, which took over ownership from the chemical manufacturer in 2009, to pay half-a-million dollars and require the company to maintain nine restoration projects for two decades. The settlement agreement — which Save Barnegat Bay called “‘inadequate’ — has not been finalized amid the appeal.” | | | | 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. | | | | |
WEIMMER RUNNER — “Weimmer to run for Assembly with McCann Stamato on Fulop’s slate in LD-31,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer will run with Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato (D-31) as part of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s ticket in a race where they’ll battle a slate backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) … This time around, [William] Sampson is expected to run with County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3) with the party’s backing.
—Kim on ballot redesign bill: 'I didn't like it' —“New Jersey doesn’t have enough farmers. A lawmaker wants to change that” —“N.J. woman awarded $12.9M after State Police mistook stroke for intoxication, arrested her” —Katie Brennan: “When democracy is under attack, we need leaders who will fight back” | | TRUMP ERA | | STEPPING UP TO THE PLAT — Judge orders sweeping restriction on DOGE access to sensitive Treasury payment systems, by POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney: A federal judge on Saturday issued a sweeping block on most Trump administration officials — including Elon Musk and his allies — from accessing sensitive Treasury records for at least a week while legal proceedings play out in New York. Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer issued the middle-of-the-night order after an emergency request by 19 Democratic attorneys general warning that the efforts by Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency allies to take control of Treasury’s sensitive payment systems — which have access to personal information of millions of Americans and the government’s financial transactions — were putting their residents at risk. Engelmayer said he agreed with the states’ assessment that the abrupt changes in policy implemented by the Trump administration had created a risk that sensitive data would be disclosed or that the system could be hacked. He also said the states were very likely to show that the new arrangement was legally improper. —“Serrano Glassner stepping down in Mendham to take Trump admin position” | | LOCAL | |
OCEAN TURNS TO ICE — “Ocean County to defy Murphy and work with ICE, seeks more state aid to educate undocumented,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “Ocean County is defying Gov. Phil Murphy and will cooperate with federal immigration authorities, while at the same time demanding the state pay millions more to cover the cost of increased enrollment of undocumented students in local school districts. The all-Republican county Board of Commissioners — which has sparred with the state’s Democratic governor on immigration enforcement in the past — adopted a resolution Wednesday that calls on the Murphy administration and state Legislature to revise its school funding formula to “provide full funding for the cost to educate multilingual learner students attending our schools.” Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, a former president of the Berkeley Board of Education, said that Murphy had made New Jersey ‘a sanctuary state’ and that his administration had a fiduciary responsibility to compensate those communities negatively impacted by such policies.”
— “Passaic City rally protests ICE raids that don't just target criminal immigrants” DESALINATION — “Ex-Clark mayor gets probation, fine,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Former Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso was sentenced to three years probation and a $15,000 fine for using municipal employees to run his private oil tank removal business using taxpayer resources. Bonaccorso also admitted to filing fake applications to some towns to receive illegal permits for tank removals. ‘The former mayor misused taxpayer-funded resources in Clark to benefit and enrich himself at residents’ expense,’ said Attorney General Matt Platkin.” AC — “Hilton to return to Atlantic City as part of a new hotel-condominium project, developer says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Eric Conklin: “Hilton has reached a deal to operate a hotel at a former Atlantic City casino once the building is refurbished into a combination hotel and condominium complex, according to the developer behind the project. Colosseo Atlantic City Inc. has plans to rehabilitate the former Atlantic Club Casino, a boardwalk property that has been vacant since closing in 2014, turning one tower into 100 condominiums while the other tower will be hotel rooms … Sebastiani said he’s dealt with a cumbersome permitting process while Atlantic City officials said Colosseo had been in “non-compliance” with state construction codes.” CHIDIAC ARREST — “Stafford schools superintendent arrested last year returns to work. Parents ‘outraged.’,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Amanda Oglesby: “While Stafford school officials will not say whether Superintendent George Chidiac, who took a leave of absence after his alcohol-related arrest last year, has returned to work, parents are "flabbergasted and outraged" over his apparent return. Parents in the district are expressing outrage through social media and a Change.org petition over what appears to be his quiet and apparent comeback. Chidiac addressed parents this week in an electronic newsletter about schools being closed for Presidents' Day … In November, Board of Education President Tammy Wagner announced Chidiac would take a leave of absence following his arrest in Berkeley Township on Oct. 27. Chidiac, who lives in Berkeley, drove into a utility pole near Chelsea Drive and Mill Creek Road after leaving the Stonefire Bar and Grill in Beachwood earlier that night, according to a Berkeley Township Police report obtained by the Asbury Park Press through the New Jersey's Open Public Records Act. Police charged Chidiac with driving under the influence, reckless driving and careless driving.” — “N.J. teachers wear ‘Gulf of America’ shirts to school. Controversy ensues” —“Passaic Dems tap Ramaglia, Schratz for county commissioner” —“Hackensack school board appoints new member to fill vacant seat” —“[Wyckoff] suspended me after cancer diagnosis, tax assessor says in lawsuit” R.I.P. —“Edward Smyk, Passaic County historian for nearly 50 years, dies at 79” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
AND HERE I THOUGHT THEY WANTED LESS RELIABLE PUBLIC TRANSIT — “South Jersey commuters want more reliable public transit, Rutgers researchers say,” by WHYY’s Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza: “More than 300 residents across South Jersey responded to a survey and focus groups conducted by Rutgers University researchers trying to better understand how public transportation could be improved in the region. Results from the study conducted last year were recently released. Riders told researchers that they wanted more transit stops for both the bus and the train lines with greater frequency … About one-third of riders surveyed expressed a need for expanded train and bus service between 6:00 a.m. and 9 a.m., while about one-quarter of respondents called for more late night routes. Some industrial park workers reported being stranded for at least an hour after getting off a night shift because the buses don’t start running until 7 a.m., one respondent said.”
REMEMBER WHEN NORCROSS THREATENED TO SUE THE EAGLES? — Fly, Cooper, Fly: Norcross-led health system buys Super Bowl ad, by POLITICO’s Madison Fernandez: Cooper University Health Care is hitting the airwaves on Super Bowl Sunday to tout its multibillion-dollar expansion in South Jersey. The hospital — of which indicted Democratic power broker and “longtime passionate” Philadelphia Eagles fan George Norcross serves as board chair — is running an ad in the Philadelphia market during this weekend’s matchup between the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs promoting the health system. Wendy Marano, a spokesperson for Cooper, did not provide a dollar amount for how much the ad costs. | | | | 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. | | | | |
UNNECESSARY ROUGHAGENESS — “Brussels sprouts spill at ShopRite caused serious injury, customer says in $3M lawsuit,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A New Jersey woman has filed a $3 million lawsuit against a ShopRite store claiming she was seriously injured when she fell after slipping on loose Brussels sprouts. Linda Swedin, 64, of Ringwood, claims in court papers she fell on Dec. 28, 2023 in the produce section of the store in Wyckoff.”
—“Right whale mom and calf spotted in NY/NJ shipping lanes; NOAA urges boats to go slow”
| | | | 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 | | | |
