News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Steinhardt runs for gov, potentially touching off contest for state GOP chair

Friday, December 11, 2020

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Steinhardt runs for gov, potentially touching off contest for state GOP chair

Dec 11, 2020

Presented by AARP New Jersey

Good Friday morning!

On the same day that Jon Bramnick announced he wouldn't run for governor, Republican State Chair Doug Steinhardt made his long-expected candidacy official in a state filing incorporating his campaign. He's expected to make a formal announcement today.

Steinhardt's Wednesday filing, revealed Thursday, sets up the primary between him and Jack Ciattarelli that we've all been expecting for about a year now.

Steinhardt is also stepping down as state GOP chair , which comes with its own drama. Attorney Michael Lavery, a nephew of former Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore who briefly served as chair before Steinhardt in 2017, has told others he's running to succeed Steinhardt until the term expires after the primary. But Avery, a Steinhardt ally from his home county of Warren, isn't going down easy with Ciattarelli allies.

"After a year where party leaders have both privately and publicly complained about the current state chairman using the NJGOP and its resources to run a shadow campaign for governor, it's all the more important that the new, interim chair of the NJGOP be completely free of even the perception of bias," Ciattarelli campaign manager Eric Arpert said. "The interim chair needs to be qualified, independent, and focused on electing Republicans across the state."

So it looks like it's possibly headed to a proxy fight for control over the state GOP ahead of the election, unless a choice can unite the sides. Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon's name was floated.

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 2 p.m. coronavirus press conference. Media: Harry Hurley at 8:15 a.m.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 5,370 newly-reported cases for a total of 386,606. 68 more deaths for a total of 15,740 (and 1,868 presumed deaths). 3,545 hospitalized, 644 in intensive care.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It's not about Republican or Democrat at all, it's about money … It's about who controls the contracts. And the taxpayers end up going into debt for goods and services that could probably be purchased cheaper — political machines are expensive.'' — Collingswood Democratic committee member Kate Delaney, who plans to run for mayor

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Attorney Benjamin Brickner, Former Emerge NJ E.D. Truscha Quatrone, former Clark Superintendent Ken Knops. Saturday for Lyndhurst GOP Chair Gary Berner, Monroe Councilman Cody Miller. Sunday for electrical contractor Lenore Jenkins-Beauliere, Senate Democrats' Gene Lepore, Dem fundraiser Stephanie Wohlrab

A message from AARP New Jersey:

Too many Garden State residents are forced to choose between filling life-saving prescriptions and paying rent, buying food and meeting other critical needs. In 2017, nearly one in four New Jersey residents stopped taking prescription medication as prescribed due to cost. Tell NJ lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs now ! Drugs don't work if people can't afford them.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

NJ OFFICIALS RESPOND BEST TO BALLOTS STUFFED IN BROWN PAPER BAGS — 2 state senators proposing cash grants to help counties count ballots faster, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman : Two New Jersey state senators — one Democrat and one Republican — want to help counties that were slow to count ballots last month improve with cash grants, and at the same get the deceased off the voter rolls more quickly. Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic) have introduced legislation that would create a $10 million grant program for county boards of elections to improve their counting capabilities. The bill is part of a three-bill package Gopal introduced Monday that seeks to streamline elections based on lessons learned from New Jersey's unprecedented 2020 election, which for the first time ever was conducted primarily by mail-in ballot. None of the bills appears online yet.

A GROWING CONCERN — "N.J. should allow medical patients, low-wage earners to grown their own marijuana," by David L. Nathan for The Star-Ledger: "In my role as founder of the international organization Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR), and as a founding steering committee member of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform (NJUMR), I have supported people's right to home cultivation both here and around the country. The possibility that New Jersey would not allow home grow is a perplexing one. Every one of the 11 states that have legalized cannabis for adult use also legalized home cultivation for medical and/or personal use. Among the four states that voted to legalize adult use in last month's election, only New Jersey has threatened to prohibit all home cultivation … We voted overwhelmingly to end cannabis prohibition in the Garden State last month because of its devastating effect on low-income communities and communities of color. Banning our citizens from growing their own cannabis will only perpetuate the harms caused by overzealous policing. Just as Black New Jerseyans are far more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts, they would surely be disproportionately targeted for the simple act of growing a few plants for medical or personal use."

2021 WILL BE LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE — " In a Trump-dominated GOP, a Jersey moderate won't run for governor," by The Record's Charles Stile: "Some cynical observers have seen Bramnick flirt with a run and then retreat to the safety of the Legislature before. But the Nov. 3 election results also produced more gloomy warning signs for a moderate hoping to travel down the centrist lane that was trod by the likes of other successful Republican governors: Kean, Whitman and Chris Christie. But the flip side of that story is that the election yielded some 280,000 more votes for Trump in New Jersey than in 2016. He collected 39,000 more votes in Ocean County, 25,000 more in Monmouth. And Trump made surprising gains in urban strongholds of Passaic and Hudson counties. The New Jersey GOP, in other words, is now dominated by a larger and more ardent and defiant army of Trumpians … The election has clarified the stakes for Republican candidates seeking the party's nomination for governor next June. Pandering to Trumpians is now priority No. 1 if they are to have any shot of winning."

RETROFITTED T-SHIRT GUNS? — "How will NJ distribute COVID-19 vaccines now that nursing home residents are at the front?" by The Record's Scott Fallon: "With nursing home residents moving to the front of the COVID-19 vaccination line alongside health care workers, New Jersey officials are now revising their distribution plan to cover 45,000 residents and the 95,000 employees who care for them. Gov. Phil Murphy said this week the expected first round of 76,000 doses will be split between health care workers and nursing homes, but offered no details. Questions still remain: Will it be an even split? How long will it take to vaccinate every home? Which nursing homes will get the vaccine first? "

MURRAY TO NAME EGON, ZUUL TO RUTGERS BOARD OF GHOSTBUSTERS — "Murphy to name Egan, Zubair to Rutgers Board Of Governors, replacing two incumbents," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein : "Gov. Phil Murphy is replacing the only Latino member of the Rutgers University Board of Governors, as well as a key ally to Democratic powerbroker George Norcross, the New Jersey Globe has learned. Murphy will name Kevin Egan, a New Brunswick city councilman and the son of Assembly Labor Committee Chairman Joseph Egan, to replace Martin Perez. Dr. Mohammad A. Zubair, a Scotch Plains pulmonologist and vice president of American Muslims for Democracy, will replace Susan McCue, a prominent Democratic fundraiser who once headed Norcross' General Majority PAC."

—"Collision in financial institutions: Danielsen objects to McKeon's Horizon timing"

—"NJ top insurer Horizon built on 1932 rules; here's what a change would mean for you"

—New Jersey DOE announces learning loss grants, but only 16 districts will get them

—"Sweeney sponsors job protection bill for state college employees"

—" Voter turnout shows that NJ is solidly blue but GOP still has signs of life"

—"What one expert thinks of N.J.'s anxiety-inducing COVID-19 forecasting"

—" Melanie Walter is leading candidate to head HMFA"

—"N.J. unemployment claims on the rise as 500K set to lose benefits at end of month"

CARTOON BREAK — " The government is not trying to inject you with a microchip," by Drew Shenaman

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TRUMP ERA

THE CONSTITUTION STATES THAT ELECTIONS ONLY COUNT IF THE CANDIDATE YOU PREFER WINS — "N.J. joins legal effort to stop Republican-run states from overturning Biden's victory over Trump," by NJ Advance Medila's Jonathan D. Salant: "New Jersey and 19 other states, some with Republican governors, on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an unprecedented effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election by 18 GOP-run states. The states joined an effort led by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine asking the U.S. Supreme Court to oppose the suit brought by Texas and other states that supported President Donald Trump last month."

— 106 House Republicans signed an amicus brief in support of the Texas effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd Dist.) and Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) were not among them.

LEE HOLDING OUT FOR LATINX MUSEUM — Mike Lee blocks legislation to create Smithsonian museums for Latinos and women , by POLITICO's Marianne Levine: Sen. Mike Lee blocked bipartisan legislation Thursday that would establish national museums dedicated to the histories of Latino Americans and American women, arguing the museums would create further division. In an exchange with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who sought to pass the National Museum of the American Latino Act by voice vote, Lee said that the history of Latino Americans and women should be a part of the National Museum of American History, rather than in a separate museum. "The last thing we need is to further divide an already divided nation within an array of separate but equal museums of hyphenated identity groups," Lee said. Menendez shot back at Lee, saying that he was standing "in the way of the hopes and dreams and aspirations of seeing Americans of Latino descent having their dreams fulfilled and recognized."

—U.S. solicitor general urges Supreme Court to review PennEast case

LOCAL

NEWARK — "Crossroads of a plague," by NJ Advance Media's Spencer Kent: "The haunting stare was frozen on his daughter's face. Walter Andrews found her in the middle of the night, dazed and unseeing as she rocked back and forth on his living room floor … The plague arrived in Walter's Newark household in early April. His father-in-law contracted COVID-19 first. Then his wife, Gloria. And now, he watched helplessly as his 33-year-old daughter, Latasha, suffered a coronavirus-related stroke … both would be dead within days of each other … COVID-19 devastated his family and then all of Newark … The virus cut an especially destructive swath of sickness and death from the western boundary of the South Ward to the eastern edge of the Central Ward, spanning three miles across the ZIP codes 07108, 07103 and 07102. It was the hottest of hot zones, the crossroads of the pandemic in the Brick City and home to a majority Black community … Newark, a city of 282,000, is nearly 50% Black, illustrating the stark divides the worst pandemic in a century has drawn along racial and class lines."

JERSEY CITY — "Jersey City says it is better prepared one year after mass shooting," by The Wall Street Journal's Ben Chapman: " Jersey City officials say they have trained police and engaged communities to guard against future incidents of domestic terrorism after a mass shooting targeted the city's Jewish community one year ago … Mayor Steven Fulop, who is Jewish, said in an interview that the incident left deep wounds across the city, traumatizing Jewish residents, members of law enforcement and members of the city's Black community. In the months since the attack, city officials have worked to counter anti-Semitism and strengthen tactical preparedness, Mr. Fulop said, by holding meetings with community leaders and residents, and implementing training for officers. 'We've done some things that are very, very visible to the public, and some things behind the scenes, that really build the support and framework to make sure that we continue to be a welcoming community to everybody'" Mr. Fulop said."

—"On anniversary of Jersey City shooting, Blacks and Jews reflect on how tragedy sparked unity"

—Grewal: " Honor those we lost in Jersey City by standing up to bias and hate"

SALEM COUNTY — "Employees, public weren't told about COVID-19 outbreak that killed election worker, NAACP says," by NJ Advance Media's Matt Gray : "The head of the Salem County chapter of the NAACP says that county workers and the general public weren't notified about a COVID-19 outbreak at the county board of elections that has claimed a life. County officials confirmed Monday that one worker died as a result of the outbreak that began last month. In all, 17 confirmed cases were tied to the outbreak. NAACP Chapter President Nelson Carney Jr. described the man who died as a good friend and an executive committee member with the local NAACP, but declined to identify him for privacy reasons."

SWAN SONG — "Englewood Cliffs councilman 'suddenly' resigns," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "After a councilman resigned over the weekend, a new member of the governing body was appointed during the last regular meeting of the Democratic majority council Councilman Jimmy Song resigned on Saturday. Mayor Mario Kranjac said it happened 'suddenly' but Councilwoman Deborah Tsabari said that it was a long time coming after Song had endured what she called 'verbal abuse' led by Kranjac. 'Mr. Song did resign and it wasn't abruptly,' she said. 'It was because of the way he's been treated by you and your verbal abuse and the residents who went to his home and literally picketed outside, scaring his children and his family, having to ask them to move to the corner of Sylvan Avenue.' … Song said it was 'truly an honor to serve the residents" and he looks forward to living in town for many years to come. He did not comment on Tsabari's statement about why he may have resigned."

IMAGINE IF A CORRUPT FORMER MAYOR HAD TO PAY TOWARDS HIS HEALTH INSURANCE LIKE MOST PEOPLE — "Convicted ex-Mayor Joey Torres prevails in health insurance case against Paterson," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico : "Convicted former Mayor Joey Torres should resume getting free health insurance through the city government, a Superior Court judge has ordered. Under the decision rendered by Judge Randall Chiocca on Nov. 6, the city also must reimburse the Torres family for all of its medical and health insurance costs after Paterson removed the former mayor from its coverage on Jan. 1, 2019. The judge determined that Torres provided sufficient evidence — including testimony from former Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino and former municipal budget director Russell Forenza — to prove that Paterson was wrong when it dropped him from its list of retirees getting free health insurance … Torres said in his lawsuit that he only learned his coverage was terminated when his daughter went for dental work in January 2019 and the family got a bill for $1,080. The family then went without health insurance until February 2020, when the ex-mayor's wife, Sonia Torres, got a job at Passaic County Technical Institute that provided health benefits, according to court documents."

—"Cumberland County officials say coronavirus outbreak in jail is under control "

—"Atlantic City Electric wants to raise your bill by $9 a month, but not yet"

—"[Mercer] County will take over this 166-acre quarry in 2023 and turn it into a park"

—"Vas slate urges supporters to oppose Caba"

—"Nutley's roadblock stands in the way of development, Clifton and ON3 lawsuit says"

JOIN TODAY - A PATH TO CLEANER SKIES: Before the pandemic, increased demand for air travel resulted in rising global emissions. Then, Covid-19 changed everything. As airlines start to recover from the resulting financial fallout, what is happening with the use of cleaner jet fuel, investments in technology, and international pacts to cut the airline industry's carbon footprint? Join POLITICO for a conversation on the future of air travel, climate change, and sustainability, as well as an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

R.I.P. — "Horrific killing of woman took place at former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli's horse farm in Hunterdon,' by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: " The scene of the gruesome murder in Hunterdon County was a horse farm owned by former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, who was in Florida at the time of the attack. 'It's horrific,' Torricelli told NJ Advance Media. 'It's an incredible tragedy. My head is still spinning,' he said about the death Sunday of Michele Carkhuff. The farm has six buildings, including a main house and a smaller structure with apartments for a housekeeper and a farmhand who cares for the animals on the property. Carkhuff, a mother of two, had been visiting his housekeeper and arrived with Brandon Petersen, 31, who has been charged with her death. According to Torricelli, an argument led to the deadly altercation and she tried to escape in his pickup truck parked on the property. He said Petersen slit Carkhuff's throat. She was 38-years-old. Petersen, a resident of Newton, has been charged with first-degree murder."

JOHN WYCKOFF — "Monmouth County 'John Wick' producer is 'hell-bent' on making movies in NJ," by The Asbury Park Press' Alex Biese: "Basil Iwanyk knows all about the stories of tough people stuck in dangerous situations. He's the producer behind the 'John Wick,' 'Sicario' and 'Expendables' franchises, whose latest feature, 'Greenland,'follows a family trying to survive the impending impact of a comet on a collision-course with Earth. It should be no surprise, given the grit and resiliency of his characters, that Iwanyk is a Jersey guy. 'For me, what I love about the people in this state is they are tough as (expletive deleted), they're incredibly loyal and emotional,' said Iwanyk, who grew up in Monmouth County … Now Iwanyk is home at the Jersey Shore, living in Spring Lake, with a mission at hand. 'I am hell-bent on making movies here in New Jersey. ... I am going to do my part to try to bring a lot more production here to the state,' he said."

WHEN HE GETS OUT OF PRISON A JOB WILL BE WAITING FOR HIM AT A CERTAIN NJ RADIO STATION — "Customer attacks restaurant staff, pulls knife after being told to wear mask, police say," by NJ Advance Media's Noah Cohen: "A customer attacked a Morris County restaurant manager and threatened to kill workers there after he was told to leave the eatery for not wearing a mask, police said Thursday. Jose Canales, 21, faces aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, weapons offenses and other charges in the Wednesday confrontation at Fattys Restaurant in Morristown, according to authorities. The manager told officers Canales refused to put on a mask, in line with state regulations, and 'became disrespectful,' Morristown police said in a news release. The manager canceled the maskless patron's order and refunded his money. According to the manager's account, 'at that point, Mr. Canales began to assault him by punching him over the counter,' police said. The alleged assailant also pulled a small knife, threatened to kill the staff and threw the weapon at them, police said."

—"No new bridge tolls! For 10th-straight year it won't cost more to cross Delaware River"

— Atlantic Shores proposing 2,300-megawatt project as part of offshore wind bid

A message from AARP New Jersey:

In New Jersey, a large majority of registered voters are impacted by high prescription drug prices, with 79% reporting they or someone in their household have taken prescription drugs in the past two years. Three in five report they are concerned about the price of their medications, according an AARP study . And now, New Jerseyans are facing the one-two punch of skyrocketing drug prices and the pandemic. Our elected officials can no longer stand by as prescription drug prices continue to rise. People of all ages depend on their prescriptions, and outrageous prices are putting their medicines out of reach. Tell NJ lawmakers to lower prescription drug costs now! Drugs don't work if people can't afford them.