News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: A Bridget too far

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: A Bridget too far

Jan 06, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Second acts in politics aren't unheard of, but is this one a Bridget too far?

Bridget Anne Kelly, the former Christie administration deputy chief of staff who wrote the "time for some traffic in Fort Lee" email, is considering a run as a Republican for Bergen County Clerk, according to columnist Mike Kelly of The Record (no relation), who gave the idea a very sympathetic write-up.

I'm trying to figure out how this makes political sense for Republicans. Bridget Kelly's federal conviction for defrauding the government of its "property" was overturned by the Supreme Court this year. But it wasn't a vindication. As a deputy chief of staff in the Christie administration, Kelly played a major role in one of the biggest political scandals in New Jersey history and presided over an office notorious for mixing politics with government. Mike Kelly also paraphrases Bridget Kelly saying that her infamous email was sent "after she felt that Christie had given the go-ahead for a plan allegedly to punish Fort Lee's Democratic mayor for not endorsing Christie's reelection" — which seems to contradict her claim in court that she had no idea the George Washington Bridge access lane closures were part of a political revenge scheme.

But local Republicans want Bridget Kelly to run. And Democrats have got to be salivating at the idea. After Republicans have struggled to crawl out from under former Gov. Christie's unpopularity, imagine them running someone in New Jersey's most populous country — the site of Bridgegate — reminding voters of the Christie administration's darkest era and one of the worst political scandals in New Jersey history. It could reverberate beyond Bergen.

It's worth noting that Bergen County Republicans were also on the verge of welcoming Republican-turned-Democrat former Sheriff Michael Saudino back into the fold after he resigned over his racist rant being caught on tape. You know, President Trump recently pardoned Bergen County resident Bernie Kerik over his felony tax fraud convictions. What's next, recruiting him to run for sheriff?

I'm mystified by the political calculation here.

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference. Then swearing-in ceremonies for Atlantic City (4 p.m.), Essex County (5 p.m.) and Bergen County (7 p.m.)

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 5,400 newly-reported cases for a total of 499,636. 138 more deaths for a total of 17,361 (and 2,021 probable deaths). 3,702 in the hospital, 679 in intensive care. 118,635 vaccine doses administered of 387,000.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: New York Magazine's Olivia Nuzzi

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "boiling everybody" — Gov. Phil Murphy, according to a closed caption of his press conference yesterday. He may have been introducing NJ Transit engineer training graduate Patrick Boylan, but I think I'll go with the caption on this one.

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

NJ's pre-k is now in 150+ school districts, with more beginning in early 2021! Despite this remarkable four-year record of achievement, there are 110+ eligible school districts that still wait. Let's reach a total of 200+ districts with NJ's pre-k in 2021. Fund substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR! Visit prekourway.org for more info

WHAT TRENTON MADE

GETTING INTO THE WEEDS — Marijuana 'clean-up' legislation, with one major change, introduced in N.J. Assembly, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton and Matt Friedman : New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a "clean-up" bill intended to finally get Gov. Phil Murphy to sign into law legislation to legalize and decriminalize marijuana for recreational use. The bill, NJ A5211 (20R), would make largely technical changes to the two measures already sitting on Murphy's desk that would create a regulatory framework for legal marijuana, NJ A21 (20R), and remove criminal penalties, NJ A1897 (20R). The biggest change is how those under the age of 21 who are caught with cannabis — whether from a legal source or the black market — are treated. The bill's introduction does not necessarily mean there's a final agreement on every detail of the state's forthcoming cannabis policy, according to an administration official, but it gives the clearest indication yet of what the law will look like.

2.4 MASTROS — "NJ Transit didn't have tools, staff to implement its $22M GPS bus technology, officials say," by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "NJ Transit spent $22 million in 2011 to buy and install GPS bus technology that could have warned the agency if trips it paid private bus companies for weren't being run. But now that a state lawsuit claims Academy bus company bilked NJ Transit out of $15 million worth of rides it never ran, the agency is being asked to explain what happened to that expensive GPS technology. The information technology employees and back office software needed to generate that data from the devices that could have alerted the agency to the alleged problems were never acquired, NJ Transit officials said Monday."

—"After years of being understaffed, NJ Transit is near a full roster of train engineers"

ABORTION — "Access to abortion in N.J. would widen under proposed rules endorsed by Murphy," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio: "Doctors would no longer be the only medical professionals permitted to terminate pregnancies in New Jersey under rules proposed Monday that are intended to repeal medically unnecessary and 'outdated' regulations that have limited women's access to abortions. Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced the state Board of Medical Examiners, which licenses physicians and regulates the practice of medicine, voted to repeal rules that have limited who performs abortions and where they are done."

CULTURE OF RUPTION? — " Murphy campaign hires HR firm after toxic workplace environment allegations," by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: "Gov. Phil Murphy's re-election campaign has hired a New Jersey human resources firm to help foster an inclusive workplace culture and hold sexual harassment training after Murphy's first campaign faced allegations of having a toxic work environment, especially for women. Culturupt, a South Orange firm founded by attorney Ritu Pancholy, will implement an HR program that includes mandatory sexual harassment and implicit bias trainings for campaign staff members and consultants, the campaign announced. The company will also create a code of conduct for the campaign, develop ways to investigate and resolve workplace issues, and set up a system to discipline and terminate employees and consultants."

—@Jack4NJ: "I wonder if @Culturpt can help @GovMurphy figure out who hired Al Alvarez too?"

BAD FOR HISPANIC AND ASIAN NEW JERSEYANS, GOOD FOR MY WORKLOAD — " Legislative redistricting delay certain after census announces further data hold ups," by New Jersey Globe's Nikita Biryukov: " The delay of New Jersey's legislative redistricting was drawn into certainty Monday after a federal deputy attorney general said less-discrete data used to apportion House seats wouldn't be available until at least Feb. 9. Under a constitutional amendment voters approved in November, the state won't redraw legislative district lines until 2023 if the state doesn't receive census data by Feb. 15, and it now appears certain that New Jersey won't have the data in time. It's possible the house reapportionment figures will be delayed even further as Census Bureau officials work to remedy unspecified anomalies."

TRUMP 2024 SUPPORTERS READY FOR EARLY BOATING — "Hunterdon Clerk Melfi says early voting bill only scratches the surface," by InsiderNJ: "'From what I read they are looking for a $20 million appropriation, but that is not even going to cover the cost of electronic poll books,' Melfi said. 'They think the poll book is the be-all, that once we have electronic poll books we have everything we need to do early voting and we can have early voting.' It's not that simple, argued the clerk, who acknowledges the challenges of replacing old voting machines, which have presented new — and costly — hazards in other states. Moreover, 'The statewide registration system is still not ready,' Melfi said."

CHARGING SURCHARGES — Energy use surcharge, bond program would help finance climate projects under new bill, by POLITICO's Samantha Maldonado : A state lawmaker wants to charge New Jerseyans more for their energy consumption and sell bonds to invest in projects that help fight climate change. Assemblymember Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex) on Monday introduced a bill, NJ A5196 (20R), that would set a surcharge on the bills of electric customers and create a bond program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to finance climate mitigation and adaptation projects.

—" Early voting won't be ready by primary election, officials say"

—"Gov. Murphy vetoes bill on more affordable outdoor dining permits for NJ restaurants"

— Gov. Murphy signs bill to spread out increases in unemployment taxes businesses pay

—"Murphy talks Gateway with Buttigieg, offers to join him on visit through tunnels"

—" N.J. COVID-19 vaccine: State asks only health care workers use new registration portal due to huge volume"

—"NJ unemployment computers crash again, leaving 'unacceptable' void of answers"

—Mulshine: " It's 2021: Is marijuana legal in New Jersey — or is that just a pipe dream?"

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TRUMP ERA

'ELECTION INTEGRITY' = TRYING TO THROW OUT AN ELECTION BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULT — "The dishonor roll of leading Jersey Republicans still backing Trump," by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran: "Doug Steinhardt, who recently stepped down as state GOP chair to run for governor, is firmly with Trump. 'I will always stand with President Trump in his fight for election integrity,' he said in a statement Monday … The other formidable Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, is also a Trump supporter, but is not as honest about it. In 2016 he called Trump a 'charlatan' but as Trump captured the heart of the Republican base, he flipped … That's the same soul-less strategy embraced by Rep. Jeff Van Drew … State Sen. Tom Kean, R-Union, deserves special mention as well. True to form, he wouldn't discuss any of this, taking refuge instead in his well-worn hiding spot under his desk. But for the record, he endorsed Trump, attended his rally in Wildwood, and did not return calls to discuss the Georgia strong-arm. Should New Jersey voters hold this against them, or move on? Hold it against them, please. They have a choice between protecting their careers or protecting our democracy, and they are choosing their careers."

— "Why NJ congressman may have no choice but to stay loyal to Trump, reject Biden win ," by The Record's Charles Stile: "Under the guise of procedural concerns, Van Drew is joining the Double-Down Trumpers, sowing discord in the democratic process in an attempt to salvage Trump's presidency. It wouldn't come entirely as a shock if Van Drew donned a 'Trump Won' face mask in Congress, as did Marjorie Taylor Greene, the QAnon-sympathizing new congresswoman from Georgia who was sworn in Sunday. But in raw political terms, Van Drew really doesn't have much of a choice. Voting Wednesday to certify the results also means Van Drew would be siding with Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. In the eyes of Trump and his supporters, such a move would turn Van Drew into a traitor who can't be trusted … Van Drew is calculating that staying loyal to Trump during his death throes is good for his own career survival."

FORT DIX — "'Absolute chaos and terrifying.' The coronavirus is running rampant through N.J. prison again.," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage: "A little more than a month after Fort Dix prison reported the most coronavirus cases of any federal facility in the country, an assistant U.S. Attorney wrote to a federal judge that the correctional institution had the virus under control with only 13 inmates positive as of Dec. 17. Fast forward to now and Fort Dix is once again the epicenter of the virus in the federal prison system less than three weeks after the first significant wave was tamped down. Nearly 600 inmates out of 2,700 are positive with the virus as of Tuesday, putting the low-security prison once again at the top of the list for the number of cases in the federal prison system, according to the BOP."

—"Which NJ towns gave the most to Georgia Senate runoff candidates?"

—"South Jersey congressman [Kim] calls for faster vaccine rollout from federal government"

LOCAL

THE TITANIC OF NUCLEAR REACTORS — "New nuclear plant coming to Oyster Creek? Holtec expresses interest," by The Asbury Park Press' Amanda Oglseby: "Holtec International, which is currently decommissioning the defunct Oyster Creek nuclear power plant, is considering placing a prototype for a new type of nuclear plant in Lacey, the company confirmed to the Press on Monday. 'As part of our application to the (U.S.) Department of Energy for its advanced reactor demonstration program, we expressed interest in possibly locating an SMR-160 small modular reactor at the Oyster Creek decommissioning site in the future,' Holtec spokesman Joe Delmar said in an email. He continued: 'This concept is only preliminary and something we would likely discuss with Lacey Township and the community if plans to locate an SMR-160 small modular reactor at the Oyster Creek evolve.' The Camden-based company has partnered with the Energy Department to build and research what company officials describe in planning documents as a new form of safe, nearly meltdown-proof reactor."

GONE YESTERDAY, HERE MCMORROW — "This woman has sued Englewood Cliffs multiple times. Now she's the borough's new administrator," by The Record's Katie Sobko: "Just days after the borough settled a lawsuit by a former council president, agreeing to pay her nearly $400,000, the new council has appointed her as acting borough administrator. Carrol McMorrow, a vocal opponent of the residential development at the heart of the borough's affordable housing litigation, has sued the borough numerous times and most recently settled a lawsuit filed against the borough and former Police Chief Michael Cioffi. She alleged that Cioffi violated her civil rights for political purposes, and she received a $395,000 settlement. McMorrow's appointment was a focal point in an eventful two-hour reorganization meeting held virtually on Friday. Councilwoman Deborah Tsabari pointed out the settlement in voting against McMorrow. 'No. This is the woman that just sued our town and was awarded $395,000,' she said. 'I don't understand what's happening here. Is everybody aware of that?' Mayor Mario Kranjac responded: 'You voted. Next.'"

TOUGH SCHI — "Lakewood SCHI rabbi faces prison after appeals court slam. Here's why," by The Asbury Park Press' Kathleen Hopkins: "Rabbi Osher Eisemann, founder of Lakewood's School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, could be headed to prison after appellate judges issued a scathing opinion saying the judge who sentenced him to probation for money laundering and misconduct ignored the law and a jury's verdict. A panel of two appellate judges ordered Eisemann to be resentenced and, in a rare move requested by the state Attorney General's Office, took the case out of the hands of Superior Court Judge Benjamin Bucca, who presided over the rabbi's 2019 trial and sentencing hearing in Middlesex County, and ordered it assigned to a different judge."

IN TOTALLY UNRELATED NEWS, FULOP HAS SAID LITTLE ON THE ICE CONTRACT — "HCDO Chair Amy DeGise to run for Jersey City council-at-large on Fulop's ticket," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Amy DeGise will be running for Jersey City council-at-large on Mayor Steven Fulop's re-election slate, replacing incumbent Rolando Lavarro who ran on Team Fulop in 2013 and 2017 …. DeGise, the daughter of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, is the 8th member and first non-incumbent to join Fulop's November 2021 re-election bid, that includes nine seats on the city council."

LOCKER ROOM TALK — " Byram official's anti-GOP, anti-Trump, profanity-laced tweet draws ire," by The New Jersey Herald's Eric Obernauer: "A township official is getting blowback over a profanity-laced social media post aimed at President Donald Trump and 'every (expletive) Republican who voted for or supported him in any way ever.' The Dec. 23 tweet, which remained up as of Monday, contained six expletives and several vulgar hashtags. One of the hashtags was directed at all Republicans and made no distinction between those who did or didn't support the president's re-election. Scott Olson, a former councilman and current member of the township Planning Board, Open Space Committee and Board of Health, followed the tweet with a meme of a Byram councilman's face plastered on what appeared to be a pile of excrement after the councilman suggested that Olson leave voluntarily from his township posts."

—"N.J. cop who was fired after accusing his bosses of racism to get job back, judge rules"

—" Montvale school board swears in new member, a black woman who says representation matters"

—"Vineland City Council expected to seat first Black woman as president"

—" Audit finds Dover had financial errors, payroll discrepancies and more in 2019"

—"Paterson school board member Emanuel Capers loses bid to lift suspension"

A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW HUDDLE IS HERE: Huddle, our daily congressional must-read, has a new author! Olivia Beavers took the reins this week, and she has the latest news and whispers from the Speakers' Lobby. Don't miss out, subscribe to our Huddle newsletter, the essential guide to all things Capitol Hill. Subscribe today.

EVERYTHING ELSE

BEAKING NEWS — "2 chickens caught 'wreaking havoc,' chasing customers at N.J. McDonald's," by NJ Advance Media's Noah Cohen: "Police in Warren County were looking for the owner of two chickens that were nabbed after 'wreaking havoc' at a McDonald's on Tuesday. In a pun-filed social media post, the Washington Township Police Department detailed its response to the 'fowl' disturbance. After a report of the birds causing 'havoc' at the fast food chain's Route 31 location, a township animal control officer found 'two suspect chickens 'harassing' and 'chasing' customers and pecking at car tires,' according to police."

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

In four years, there has been statewide, bipartisan support for funding pre-k expansion. NJ's pre-k is now in 150+ school districts, with more beginning in early 2021! Despite this remarkable record of achievement, there are 110+ eligible school districts that still wait.

There are eligible districts in every county. They're in rural, suburban and urban communities, and they're located across New Jersey, from east to west – and north to south. You either live in an eligible school district or you live near at least one. There are 3- and 4-year-olds still waiting for NJ's pre-k in each of these 110+ communities.

Substantial funding for NJ's pre-k will provide a strong start to a lifetime of learning for more of our children – and immediate support for their working families.

Let's reach a total of 200+ districts with NJ's pre-k – there are 110+ communities waiting. Fund substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR!

Visit prekourway.org for more info