News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Bridget Kelly finds open GOP lane for county clerk job

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Bridget Kelly finds open GOP lane for county clerk job

Jan 26, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

It's actually happening. Bridget Anne Kelly, the former Chris Christie aide who wrote the "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" email that kicked off the Bridgegate scandal, is running for county clerk. In Bergen County. Where Fort Lee is located.

There is evidence that Kelly was used as a scapegoat. And the Mastro report's theory that she ordered the lane closure because she was dumped by Bill Stepien was indeed baseless and misogynistic. She suffered longer-lasting consequences than many other people involved. But that doesn't negate Kelly's actions in the late summer of 2013, and she continues to argue that she was not aware that creating a huge traffic jam in Fort Lee was a political revenge scheme aimed at its Democratic mayor for refusing to endorse Christie's reelection.

In an interview with Elle Magazine, Kelly said she believed that the GWB access lane closures were part of a legitimate traffic study. "There was no ill will. I've never met the mayor of Fort Lee, not in my life. I ran the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. And I didn't know that there was this behind the scenes issues with the mayor of Fort Lee," Kelly told Elle.

So how do we square that with the testimony of Matt Mowers, who worked under Kelly at the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs? Mowers in 2014 told the legislative committee investigating the scandal — and the court during the federal trial — that the day before Kelly sent her infamous email, she had inquired with him whether the mayor was indeed refusing to endorse Christie. When Mowers confirmed it, he testified, Kelly told him "That's all I need to know." The next day, Kelly sent the email.

Kelly's federal conviction was vacated by the Supreme Court on technical grounds, so she has a right to run for office. But while she seeks political redemption, remember that two things can be true at once: That Kelly was both a scapegoat and a willing participant in one of the biggest political scandals in state history.

WHERE'S MURPHY ? In Kearny at 10 a.m. for a vaccination event. Media: ABC at 7 a.m., MSNBC at 7:40 a.m., Bloomberg TV at 12 p.m., WCBS 880 at 12:10 p.m.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 3,694 new positive PCR tests for a total of 598,660. 21 more deaths for a total of 18,851 (and 2,121 probable deaths). 3,254 hospitalized, 598 in intensive care. 565,401 shots administered of 989,900 distributed, or 57.1 percent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — BPU's Christine Guhl, Dow Jones News Fund's Heather Taylor. U.S. Rep. Albio Sires. Missed yesterday: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "The bar for standing up to Trump has been set so low that there was really no difficulty clearing it." — Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray on former Gov. Chris Christie emerging from the Trump era with his reputation more intact than most of the president's other supporters

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

EDNA MAHAN ABUSE SCANDAL — "Dozens suspended at N.J. prison after officers are accused of beating women inmates," by NJ Advance Media's Blake Nelson and Joe Atmonavage: "Dozens of staff have been suspended and a criminal investigation is underway at New Jersey's only women's prison after officers were accused of severely beating several women inmates earlier this month, according to state and union officials. Prisoners have told family members and advocates that at least three women at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility were hurt by officers Jan. 11, including one inmate who now has a broken eye socket and a transgender woman beaten so badly she cannot walk and is now in a wheelchair. The family members and advocates have shared letters and other first-hand accounts with NJ Advance Media. The corrections department is reviewing the alleged violence with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's office and the state attorney general's office, according to prison spokeswoman Liz Velez."

—Press release: "Weinberg, Greenstein call for Corrections Commissioner and Edna Mahan Warden to be placed on leave pending probe of beatings of women inmates"

AUDIT LEADS TO PLAUDITS — "Historic audit of N.J. mail-in election is complete. The results are promising, officials say," by NJ Advance Media's Steve Strunsky: "To test the accuracy of the machines used to tally the millions of mail-in ballots, Murphy called on each county to conduct post-election audits using a hand-count of a random sampling of ballots totaling 2% of the total number cast. Typically, county officials recounted batches of ballots from various election districts, and for most of the batches, the hand counts and corresponding machine tallies were found to be perfect matches. Six counties reported that their hand counts matched machine tallies for the entire 2% sample — meaning thousands of votes — while most other counties reported near-perfect matches, with variations in the vote counts mainly in the single digits."

THE COMPANY WE KEEP — "NJ 2021 election preview," by InsiderNJ's Jay Lassiter: "In June's primary election, incumbent Senator Joe Cryan will try to repel two off-the-line challengers: a relative unknown called Jason Krychiw and Cryan's own running-mate Assemblyman Jamel Holley. Assemblyman Holley frittered away his state house credibility by trafficking COVID myths and anti-vaccine lunacy with some of the same folks who ransacked the US Capitol earlier this month. At an anti-vaccine rally in September, Stephanie Hazelton called Assemblyman Holley a 'superstar.' 'Everyone here has love and appreciation for Assemblyman Jamel Holley!' Ms. Hazelton told told the crowd who chanted Holley's name as he approached the podium and fell into Ms. Hazelton's welcoming embrace. This week, Ms. Hazelton was arrested for her role in the Capitol Hill riot."

GLOUCESTERF**K — "No 2nd dose appointments made at COVID-19 vaccine 'mega site'," by Patch's Anthony Bellano : "Visitors to New Jersey's COVID-19 vaccine 'megasite' at Rowan College of South Jersey in Gloucester County were supposed to make appointments to receive their second doses when they got their initial doses. However, the megasite failed to make those appointments, leaving residents scrambling to make a second appointment, state officials acknowledged on Monday. Gloucester County's Mega Vaccination Site is currently using the New Jersey Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS) to schedule all vaccine appointments. This system is operated and maintained by the State of New Jersey. In a statement, officials said Gloucester County was not able to schedule appointments for the second doses when residents get their first dose because the NJVSS doesn't have that capability."

MATERNAL HEALTH — Tammy Murphy unveils plan to combat racial disparities in infant mortality, maternal health, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Two years after launching her Nurture New Jersey campaign that seeks to address racial gaps in the state's infant mortality rate and maternal health, first lady Tammy Murphy announced its strategic plan on Monday. Her goal, she said, is to reduce infant mortality in New Jersey by 50 percent over five years while also eliminating racial disparities. "The work outlined will not be easily or quickly accomplished, but with our collective and persistent commitment, we will root out the institutional racism that has affected every corner of our society, all the way to mothers and their babies," Murphy said during a virtual announcement.

WEED — "Why is Gov. Murphy still allowing thousands of marijuana arrests to continue?" by Erik Altieri for The Star-Ledger: "To allow this situation to continue for even one more day is an abject moral failing of the state government. If the leadership of the Garden State is truly as concerned with justice, the governor would immediately sign the depenalization bill into law and end the draconic policy of putting otherwise law-abiding citizens in handcuffs for the possession of a plant that 67% of the voters say should be legal. Historically, New Jersey police have made an estimated 30,000 arrests per year for marijuana-related offenses; the overwhelming majority of these are for low-level possession. That means that each day the governor fails to act, another 115 New Jerseyans are being arrested. Not only are these arrests morally reprehensible and overwhelmingly targeted at communities of color, they also come with an economic cost to taxpayers while consuming limited law enforcement and judicial resources."

—"Faith leaders say we must prevent the legalization of marijuana for children | Letter"

— Assembly panel clears bill establishing oversight board for veterans homes

—Learning loss bill clears Assembly committee; sponsors may consider amendments

— New Jersey primary candidates will be able to collect signatures in person and online

—"Tens of thousands call NJ COVID vaccine line on first day, but appointments can't yet be made"

—" Palisades Park Mayor Chris Chung enters 37th District Assembly race"

—"NJ candidates and activists join federal lawsuit to take election ballot design out of the party machines' hands"

—" Murphy will seek re-election on organizational lines"

TRACK THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: A new president occupies the White House and he is already making changes. What are some of the key moments from Biden's first week in office? Find out in Transition Playbook, our scoop-filled newsletter tracking the appointments, people, and emerging power centers of the first 100 days of the new administration. Subscribe today.

BIDEN TIME

SWAMP DRAINED — "Donald Trump's final gift to New Jersey? Crony justice for well-connected pals," by THe Record's Charles Stile: "Trump's final spree of 143 pardons and sentence commutations did include names of drug offenders who had long petitioned for clemency and who were backed by social reform advocates. But for the most part, Trump's pardon wave peeled away the thin coat of populist paint covering the former president's true elitism. As ever with Trump, the wealthy, the powerful, the self-made and those with the inside track were given priority consideration. And many appeals were approved without the standard Justice Department screening to determine whether they were worthy of justice or mercy."

NJ WILLING TO ACCEPT REPAYMENT IN BOURBON — "Second stimulus check update: As GOP opposes 'blue state bailout,' N.J. sends far more to D.C. than all red states," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: " While Senate Republicans describe federal aid to New Jersey and other states hard hit by the coronavirus as 'blue-state bailouts,' two new studies show the states they love to attack send billions of dollars more to Washington than they receive in federal spending. And the beneficiaries of their largesse were the states whose senators stand in the way of federal assistance, none bigger than Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's home state of Kentucky, according to a report by the State University of New York's Rockefeller Institute of Government."

FEARLAMB — "Missouri congresswoman accuses Stockholm man, charged in Capitol riot, of threatening her," by The New Jersey Herald's Lori Comstock: "A Missouri congresswoman says her life was threatened in June by an alleged U.S. Capitol rioter from Sussex County, whose U.S. Secret Service-brother reportedly led a security detail for former first lady Michelle Obama. 'This is Scott Fairlamb. In June, he threatened my life on social media,' Congresswoman Cori Bush, who represents Missouri's 1st Congressional District, said Sunday in a tweet. The tweet included a screen capture allegedly from a recently deleted social media account '@fairlambfit,' telling her, 'You're full of (expletive). Shoulda lit your (expletive) up.'"

THE COFFEE I ORDERED JAN. 3 HAS STILL NOT ARRIVED —@BillPascrell: "Today I am calling on President Biden to fire the entire Postal Board of Governors for their silence and complicity in trump and dejoy's attempts to subvert the election and destroy the Post Office."

— Pallone vows 'accelerating' push for ambitious climate action

—"Van Drew hopeful parties can agree on immigration reform for 'dreamers'"

LOCAL

0.16 MASTROS — "These Bergen County employees received $1.4M total in bonuses during COVID last year," by The Record's Terrence T. McDonald: "Bergen County gave $22,500 bonuses to its two top administrators and chief of staff last year, part of a $1.4 million package of extra pay given to 501 workers who the county says were instrumental in its response to the coronavirus outbreak. Stipends of $10,000 or more went to 18 county workers, including the health director, superintendent of elections, IT director and personnel chief. Another 68 employees received $5,000 or more. The bonuses, provided in a spreadsheet to The Record and NorthJersey.com through a public records request, were awarded toward the end of 2020 during a year when Bergen County, like other public entities across the nation, suffered deep financial losses."

PATERSON —"Paterson prepares for reduced COVID vaccine supply," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: " Facing growing criticism for problems at the COVID-19 vaccine site, city officials are bracing for two new challenges in the upcoming week: a major reduction in the amount of vaccine available and the need to start dispensing second doses. In contrast to the appointment systems used at other inoculation programs around the state, Paterson has opted to give vaccinations on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, senior citizens have been standing for hours in pre-dawn lines in freezing temperatures outside Paterson's International High School, where the vaccines are being given. Complaints about the situation prompted the City Council to convene an emergency meeting Friday night, a session that lasted almost three hours, during which all nine members of the governing body urged Mayor Andre Sayegh's staff to change the vaccination process."

MAPLEWOOD TO CONSIDER CHANGING NAME TO MONTCLAIR JR. — "'I Want to Meet My Teacher' A war over reopening schools has upended the progressive politics of the New Jersey suburbs," by New York Magazine's Andrew Rice: "Every community has struggled with the question of whether and how to reopen classrooms. But the debate has taken on a particularly anguished dynamic in places like Maplewood, where no one would ever imagine being on the same side of an issue as Donald Trump. (Joe Biden won 90 percent of the vote here.) Before the coronavirus, people in the town seemed to share the same set of values, venerating education above all. As the cliché went, everyone had moved there for the schools. But once those schools were shut, this imagined consensus was ripped up. It seemed as if Maplewood could no longer agree on the most basic things: science, morality, the right thing to do."

MISADVENTURE CROSSING — "Jackson Adventure Crossing warehouse plan slammed: 'This project is the worst yet'," by The Asbury Park Press' Mike Davis : "There are already plans for a sports dome, basketball courts, soccer fields, two hotels, three fast-food restaurants and an outdoor entertainment stage at Adventure Crossing. Now, the Jackson planning board will be asked to approve amended lans for over 1 million square feet of warehouses. The board on Monday will consider an amended plan for the second phase of Adventure Crossing, a warehousing plan that's been panned by environmental activists and neighbors as a 'disaster.'"

—" Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority will soon pick new boss"

—"Sussex County GOP to select among three candidates for Board of Commissioners"

—" Hudson County Democratic Black Caucus endorses Team Fulop in Jersey City"

HAPPENING TODAY - DRAWING THE ETHICAL LINE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: As AI becomes increasingly ingrained in our everyday lives, there are concerns about biases in these systems and ethical standards to guide their fair use. Without an international framework or set of principles governing AI, the ethical guidelines for its use vary across countries and cities and sometimes even come down to individual policymakers, elected leaders, the private sector, and grassroots advocates' work. Join POLITICO for a conversation to explore the pace of global AI innovation and development and what it means for the future of ethical standards in this space. The virtual program features an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and Workday EVP of corporate affairs Jim Shaughnessy. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

FUTURE BUILDING SITE OF THE NAPOLEON COMPLEX — "The former King of Spain was a Jersey guy, and his Bordentown estate is being turned into a park," by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Kevin Riordan : "At the crest of a windswept bluff overlooking the confluence of Crosswicks Creek and the Delaware River in Bordentown, Joseph Bonaparte — oldest brother of Napoleon, former King of Spain, self-exiled diplomat, and Philadelphia resident — built a country estate called Point Breeze that was a wonder of early 19th-century America … The estate's grand buildings are long gone … But the 55-acre heart of this extraordinary piece of Burlington County real estate now belongs to the public. The $4.6 million purchase by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Bordentown, and the nonprofit D & R Greenway Land Trust was finalized Dec. 18 with Divine Word Missionaries, the Catholic order that had owned the site since 1941."

—"Ten years after failed revolution, Egyptian exiles in NJ 'still fighting' for reform"

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