Good Wednesday morning!
New Jersey’s worst-kept secret is out: Tammy Murphy is running for Senate.
“I’m running for the United States Senate because New Jersey’s kids and families deserve better — plain and simple,” she said in a statement released this morning. “My parents taught me to never back down from a challenge or shy away from injustice, and that’s how we’ve dramatically reduced the rate at which mothers and babies are dying around childbirth in our state, and incorporated climate change education into our school curriculum.”
While there are likely to be several candidates in the race, this is shaping up mainly to be a Tammy Murphy vs. Andy Kim campaign.
In my conversations with Democratic insiders since Sen. Menendez’s indictment, few have been particularly excited about a Tammy Murphy candidacy. By contrast, a lot of progressives were enthusiastic about Rep. Andy Kim’s Senate campaign announcement in the immediate aftermath of the indictment. It didn’t hurt that Kim was first out to call on Menendez to resign.
But even if party leaders don’t appear extremely enthused, and while plenty of progressives have concerns about the whole nepotism thing, I believe she has more relationships with more party bosses around the state than Kim does. Oh, and did you know she’s married to the governor? Tammy Murphy’s quote referred to her bona fides on maternal mortality. It’s no small thing, and a potentially attractive point to Black voters obviously make up a huge part of the Democratic base.
Still, she can’t write off Andy Kim, who mild as he seems has demonstrated real political skill since 2018. He’ll need to work those to win off the line, which he’ll presumably be in most counties. Because I doubt the lawsuit challenging the county line system will be over by June.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: One of Lakewood’s own homeboys, if you will, being a member of the Legislature because that’s where the action happens — when you’re in the room, when you’re at the table.” — Rabbi Moshe Weisberg on Avi Schnall’s Assembly win
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Aura Dunn, Christina Zuk, Matt Fried (sans man),
WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule
LOOK WHAT DRAGGED THE KATZ IN — David Wildstein reports that after vote counting in Burlington County Democrat Andrea Katz leads Assemblymember Brandon Umba by 238 votes. Wildstein has called the race for Katz, which would flip a sixth Assembly seat to Democrats. While I have no reason to doubt that, we go by the AP, and as of last night, it hadn’t yet called it.
WHEN YOU CAN’T TRANSFER YOUR HUGE FEDERAL CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT TO A STATE CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT — Gottheimer launches ads for House race, which could also double as governor test run, by POLITICO’s Dustin Racioppi: Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer launched a six-figure advertisement and new website Tuesday to gather “some of the best ideas in action across the state,” a possible indicator he is moving toward running for governor as expected in 2025. The four-term member of Congress’ “Jumpstart Jersey” initiative follows what he said has been seven years of meeting with state leaders and families to bring ideas and solutions to Washington. … Gottheimer announced the new initiative in Fort Lee alongside Mayor Mark Sokolich and council members. It is backed by his House reelection campaign, but could also double as a precursor to a gubernatorial run — with stories highlighting efforts of local mayors, such as Union City’s Brian Stack, who is an influential state senator and Hudson County leader.
POTFIT — “NJ dispensaries are selling a ton of legal weed. Here’s how much the state is cashing in,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “The New Jersey cannabis market is on its way to becoming a billion-dollar industry. From July 2022 through June 2023, New Jersey dispensaries sold more than $734 million in cannabis products, according to statistics from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The vast majority of sales came from recreational marijuana customers, who spent over $555 million. The sales growth comes as the number of dispensaries in New Jersey has continued to grow exponentially … Medical cannabis sales have plummeted over 44% since April 2022, when adult use cannabis sales officially began. Meanwhile, adult use sales have increased by almost 40%.”
IRRELIGIOUS FREEDOM — The state has agreed to no longer require candidates for office to sign an oath that ends “so help me god” when they submit their petition signatures, according to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The group sued the state on behalf of James Tosone, a non-theist who said the state would not accommodate him allowing him to cross out the reference to God on the form. According to the foundation, New Jersey has agreed “to create and adopt a secular affirmation for candidates.” Whether that means there will be a separate oath or that New Jersey will just strike “God” altogether on its candidate filing form, I’m not sure. The state also sent a memo to county clerks to ensure they give local candidates the option of a solemn affirmation that makes no mention of the almighty.
—“Civil rights concerns grow over baby blood tests, as state mulls genomic sequencing”
—“Toms River attorney gets tapped by Murphy to become an Ocean County judge”
—“Tolls are going up at Delaware River bridges as E-ZPass discount ends”
—“State suggests mediation, not litigation, to resolve school segregation suit”
—“Two doctors, chiropractor are first to lose licenses under new N.J. law on convicted sex offenders”
—“Insider NJ’s 2023 Insider 100: Power”
STOPGAP VOTE — All but one member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation voted to pass a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown. Republican Reps. Chris Smith and Thomas Kean Jr. joined Democrats from their state and 325 lawmakers to pass the measure. Rep. Jeff Van Drew locked arms with 94 lawmakers along with other conservative Republicans — primarily members of the House Freedom Caucus — who opposed the funding patch because it lacked spending cuts, aid for Israel or border security provisions. The congressional resolution was part of a two-tiered plan proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson aimed at passing spending bills by mid-January and again on Feb. 2. Before lawmakers voted on the bill, House Democrats and the White House signaled their intent to support the stopgap — Lawrence Ukenye
THE FUGITIVE — “Military told FBI of Capitol riot suspect after Jan. 6 attack. He remained free for years,” by USA Today’s Will Carless: “Gregory Yetman, who was arrested by the FBI after a search last week, had been reported to the bureau as a Capitol riot participant by the military shortly after Jan. 6 – yet continued to serve in the National Guard for more than a year, and was not charged until this month, court documents show. … The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command identified Yetman to the FBI on Jan. 14, 2021 — eight days after the insurrection, the documents state. Army investigators sent the bureau screenshots from Yetman’s Facebook profile in which he brags about being at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and states ‘I’m not fighting for this country anymore.’ A few days later, FBI investigators interviewed Yetman for about 10 minutes, the documents state. … Yetman turned himself in Friday after a two-day search involving FBI agents and local SWAT teams. He had escaped into woods near his home after agents attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant on Wednesday morning.”
—“U.S. Rep. Andy Kim vows to restore trust in government in his bid for Senate”
—“U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear COVID vaccine case filed by N.J. nurses”
—“Christie campaign says it reached 4th GOP debate’s donor requirement”
—“Pushback against Tammy Murphy as candidate to replace Menendez”
BLUE FLIGHT — “These Bergen County towns are luring away Paterson police officers — with better pay,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Detectives Muhammed Dombayci and John Rikowich were so successful at getting guns off Paterson’s streets that they won awards earlier this month from a northern New Jersey law enforcement group. … But Dombayci, Rikowich, and Salemeh won’t be protecting Paterson much longer. They are part of a wave of seven Paterson cops who in recent weeks handed in their resignations to take better-paying police jobs in five Bergen County towns — Demerest, Dumont, Englewood, New Milford and Paramus. … Paterson Press interviewed several of the cops who are resigning. They asked that their names not be attached to their comments, for fear of violating departmental restrictions on speaking to the news media … One officer said he had to give up an apartment and move back in with his mother because his police salary was not big enough to cover his bills. Another cop talked about letting a gym membership lapse for months because of a lack of money. … The seven departing officers have between three and five years of experience in Paterson. Six of them make salaries in the $40,000 range, and one earns about $54,000.”
90-DAY POLICÉ — “Jersey City police officer just elected to BOE gets 90-day suspension from department,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “A Jersey City police officer that was just elected to the board of education last week received a 90-day suspension from the department yesterday, which he attributes to ‘an administrative oversight’ and still plans on serving on the governing body. ‘This suspension stems from an administrative oversight on my part concerning a sensitive case I was assigned to two years ago. I openly acknowledge my mistake in the course of investigating this case and take full responsibility for my failure to adhere to established policies and procedures.,’ Police Det. Dejon Morris said in a statement. … A November 13th personnel order from Acting Police Chief Robert Kearns says that Morris ‘is suspended from pay and duty’ from that date through February 13th, 2024. No reason for the suspension is provided.”
HOBROKEN RELATIONSHIP — “Border battle: DEP offering Jersey City $2.1 million for Hoboken floodwall project, but city wants more guarantees,” by The Jersey Journal’s Joshua Rosario: “Hoboken and Jersey City are feuding over expensive long-term flood mitigation plans in a fast-growing Jersey City neighborhood, and the state’s second-largest city says it won’t cooperate until it receives more financial guarantees. Part of the state’s $230 million Rebuild by Design project entails Jersey City granting easements to Hoboken along Grove Street, Marin Boulevard and Jersey Avenue to build a flood wall. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is overseeing the project, has promised Jersey City $2.1 million. But Jersey City officials, citing the need to protect its taxpayers, say they need ‘written and concrete guarantees’ the state will foot the bill for any additional costs associated with the 800-unit ‘Holland Park’ development and the building of a light rail station on Jersey Avenue. … Monday night, the Hoboken City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the state to get the easements from Jersey City by any means, including using the eminent domain.”
WHEN THE TAX LEVY BREAKS — “Pros say administration used financial tricks to boost Fulop’s 2021 campaign,” by Jersey City Times’ Aaron Morrill: “A legally mandated annual audit completed early this year and approved by the city council last Wednesday provides evidence for their conclusion, they say … The budget was anything but fiscally responsible, said one administrator, pointing to $16 million that was under-appropriated for insurance. ‘Health insurance, that never goes down … ever,’ the individual said. ‘I couldn’t understand how the state didn’t pick it up. … I don’t know how they got away with that. … if you budget less than the year before, they question you and ask, ‘Why is this less,’ and you have to give them an explanation.’ Another $4 million of under-appropriations related to police salaries, which one of the administrators found troubling. ‘You know what your salaries and wages are going to be. You know what your appropriations are going to be. You have full control over your salary and wages.’ As a result of the under-appropriations, noted one of the administrators, the city was able to lower the municipal portion of the tax ‘levy’ … from $266 million in 2020 to $207 million in 2021. That reduction, in turn, lowered the tax rate, allowing the mayor to announce a tax cut.”
ZIA LATER — “Atlantic City 5th Ward incumbent heading toward reelection,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Eric Conklin: “ The incumbent candidate in the city’s 5th Ward council race inched closer to reelection after the Atlantic County Board of Elections finished processing mail-in and provisional ballots Monday. Democratic Councilman Muhammad ‘Anjum’ Zia was ahead of his challenger, Republican Maria Lacca, 505-462, after officials tallied votes, Board of Elections Chair Lynn Caterson said Tuesday. Zia was ahead by 13 votes following election night.”
—“Atlantic City voter pressured to cast a vbm gets provisional ballot counted instead, judge says”
—“Van Drew calls for immediate federal takeover of Atlantic City Housing Authority”
—“Point Pleasant Beach judge, in Facebook trouble, says he didn’t know ‘likes’ remained”
—“Paterson BOE caught in legal crossfire over educator’s tussle with student”
—“[Perth Amboy] district sued in student sex assault case involving security guard”
—“Ex-[Long Branch] special cop charged with loan sharking”
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE NOTHING — “Last coffee for Nestlé as Freehold plant shuts. Here’s what could happen next,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Michael L. Diamond: “Nestlé is scheduled to officially end production of freeze-dried coffee at its plant here on Friday and plans to put the property up for sale in the first quarter of next year, a spokesperson said, closing the door on what has been a landmark in town for the past 75 years. As Nestlé winds down, Freehold Borough officials said they are considering redevelopment plans. And the company’s 227 employees are finding themselves in an unsettled position of continuing to work while looking for a new job.”
—“N.J. 19-year-old sentenced for synagogue threats that led to statewide FBI alert”
—“New Jersey casinos, track forfeit $77K in money won by prohibited gamblers, many of them underage”
—“School bus overturns after crash on Garden State Parkway in Ocean County”