News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Democrats rally behind Malinowski

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Democrats rally behind Malinowski

May 26, 2021

Presented by Pre-K Our Way

Good Wednesday morning!

In a press release that surely wasn't arranged by Rep. Tom Malinowski's allies, all six Democratic chairs from the counties that make up his district put out a statement yesterday in support of the congressman, who's facing trouble over his stock trades.

The statement pushed back against the notion that Democrats on the redistricting commission would be willing to throw him under the bus to shore up other members in tight districts like those of Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-11th Dist.), who so far haven't faced stories that are potentially as damaging.

"The idea that we would be willing to give away Congressman Malinowski's seat for 10 years is categorically absurd," they wrote. Hours later, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Executive Director Saily Avelenda put out a statement expressing "unequivocal support" for Malinowski.

Of course, the congressional redistricting commission hasn't been appointed, so some of these chairs or their close allies may or may not be on it. And, of course, talk is cheap.

"I would expect nothing less publicly ," tweeted Mike DuHaime, who led the GOP's successful 2011 redistricting team.

Read more about it here

WHERE'S MURPHY?: In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference

QUOTE OF THE DAY : "A ballot must be a neutral and fair forum upon which voters select the candidate(s) of their choice. Yet, New Jersey combines all the worst elements of electioneering, vote dilution, unfair/unequal treatment, forced associations/punishment for non-associations, democracy inhibition, party-insider influence, political gamesmanship, voter confusion, bad ballot design, and candidate ostracization — and features them all prominently on its primary election ballot." — The first line of a 108-page brief in opposition to a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the county line balloting system.

QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: "I like circles." — GOP gubernatorial candidate Hirsh Singh endorsing traffic circles

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 423 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 886,271. 24 more deaths for a total of 26,124 confirmed or probable deaths. 707 hospitalized, 144 in intensive care. 4,107,003 fully-vaccinated, or about 44.2 percent of the population.

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks, Governor and Legislature! Pre-k expansion funding's been in every recent state budget! Working families in 150+ school districts have pre-k expansion – but families in 110+ districts still wait. They're waiting in rural, suburban and suburban communities – from east to west, north to south. Continue substantial pre-k expansion THIS YEAR! Visit prekourway.org

WHAT TRENTON MADE

CIATTA-TAT-TAT — In only debate of the GOP primary campaign, Ciattarelli goes on the attack against Singh, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli is the heavy favorite to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination next month, but on Tuesday, during the only debate of the primary season, he relentlessly attacked his opponent, Hirsh Singh. "One reason you've been rejected by the people who know you best, the reason you've lost race after race after race is because you haven't done anything for anyone else," Ciattarelli told Singh during the radio debate on NJ 101.5. "Let's not kid anybody. It's not about New Jersey. It's not about the Republican Party. It's all about you. What have you done to help anybody in the Republican Party get elected?" It's a somewhat unexpected strategy for Ciattarelli, who has the backing of every Republican organization in the state, favorable ballot placement that comes with that support and far more campaign cash than any other candidate. Singh, a 36-year-old engineer from Atlantic County, is running a pro-Trump campaign. He called the former president "the greatest president of my lifetime" and attacked Ciattarelli for not showing enough fealty to Trump. Ciattarelli once referred to Trump as a "charlatan." "Mr. Ciattarelli is a Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney Republican here in New Jersey," Singh said, referring to two of the most high profile Republicans who have criticized Trump.

1-877-MASKS 4 KIDZ. M-A-S-K MASKS 4 KIDZ — Murphy: Masks will likely still be required in schools this fall, by POLITICO's Sam Sutton: Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday he expects face coverings will still be required in New Jersey schools this fall absent a widely available vaccine for children aged 12 and younger. "If I had to bet today, we'll have masking in schools in the fall as a result of that," the Democrat said during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," responding to a question about parents who might be hesitant to send their kids back to school later this year. "I would suspect we'll continue with some of the public health protocols inside the classroom and inside the school buildings to mitigate the concern, which is a legitimate one." Even though schools have not been a major source of viral transmission in New Jersey, which has reported the highest per capita rate of deaths during the pandemic, the absence of a vaccine distribution program for children under the age of 12 does present avenues for new infections.

—"School mask mandate the latest draw for Republican ire," by New Jersey Globe's Nikita Biryukov: "Gov. Phil Murphy is facing Republican calls to walk back comments saying children would still be required to wear masks in school next fall. 'It's an outrage for our caucus and for parents across the state,' Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) said. 'To these mothers and fathers out there: We see you, we hear you, and we're fighting to end this senseless mask mandate for our children.' … State Sen. James Holzapfel (R-Toms River), Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (R-Toms River) and Assemblyman John Catalano (R-Brick) said they intend to introduce a bill that would bar requiring students to wear masks when they return to school in the fall."

PERIOD. FOLD… — "NJ voters jumped to drop their masks. Pressure forced Murphy to catch up — and relent," by The Record's Charles Stile: " The flat-faced denial from Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday just didn't cut it. Political pressure, he said, had nothing to do with his sudden decision to lift his indoor mask mandate for the vaccinated. But then he proceeded to explain how his hand was forced by public pressure — which, for a governor running for reelection, amounts to the same thing. Anyone scratching his head over Murphy's mask-lifting hesitancy is also a potential voter. 'I am aware that if you are the only state in the entire neighborhood, and everybody is doing something differently, it puts a certain amount of pressure on our business community,'' Murphy said, explaining how diners, who no longer wanted to wear masks in a Jersey City restaurant could hop a PATH train to New York and dine there … Still, on Monday, Murphy pivoted on ground that had been rapidly shifting. As Memorial Day loomed, Murphy found himself looking like he was fighting the war while millions of vaccinated New Jersey residents were toasting their newfound liberation at dinner tables and barbecues. After more than a year of trying to break the curve of infection, the governor was now behind the curve of public pressure."

—Golen: " Murphy may have overreached by seeking caveat on COVID-19 restrictions"

—"Drop the mask mandate for teachers, students, N.J. district asks Murphy"

—Edelstein: " Mask rules for kids in New Jersey make zero sense"

MORATORIUM EMPORIUM — "New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy needs a moratorium on moratoriums," by The Star-Ledger's Paul Mulshine : "When I put that question to Senate President Steve Sweeney, he said he expects the two houses to agree on a bill by early next month that will address the eviction moratorium. 'We're working on it,' said Sweeney. His fellow Democrat, state Sen. Brian Stack of Hudson County, has a bill that would provide $750 million to cover back rent, he said. He added that the final decision on any bills will be up to Murphy. 'We can send them,' Sweeney said. 'He has to sign them.'Will Murphy sign any bill that limits his power to order people around? If he's smart, he will. His habit of governing-by-decree might not be so popular at the polls.'"

POLICE — "Since George Floyd's death, 17 people have died during police encounters in N.J.," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonovage: "Each of these deaths in the last year are under investigation by the state Attorney General's office under the Independent Prosecutor's Directive, a 2019 order that mandates the office probe the deaths and follow a step-by-step process in doing so. But over the last year, all of those cases have stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic, creating frustration among family members who are seeking closure and justice, as well as advocates who insist these investigations must be transparent in order to build trust with communities often most affected by police violence .. grand jury due to the public health emergency, a spokesman for the Attorney General's office said. 'To be clear, these cases are of the utmost importance,' said spokesman Peter Aseltine."

— More types of New Jersey police officers must wear body cameras, attorney general says, by The Record's Steve Janoski: "More New Jersey police officers will be strapping a body camera to their chest after the state attorney general announced Tuesday that he will require SWAT teams, proactive enforcement groups, canine units and others to wear the equipment. Previously, state law mandated that only uniformed patrol officers must use bodycams, as they're known, to record their interactions with the public. The new directive, sent to local chiefs and county prosecutors throughout the state, will boost transparency and the public's trust in law enforcement, according to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal."

A VERY SERIOUS CANDIDATE — "Singh tries to wrangle a win out of his debate forfeiture," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "There are many villains in Trump World — the 'deep state,' the corporate elite, so-called woke culture and, of course, the despicable 'liberal media.' It's worth considering all that when looking at the kerfuffle over the cancellation of Wednesday's scheduled NJ PBS debate between Republican gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Hirsh Singh … Singh probably hopes he can get more political mileage out of trashing PBS than he wou'd have actually debating Ciattarelli for the second night in a row. After all, portraying yourself as a 'victim' of the left-wing media is fairly common for Trump himself. It's no surprise Singh is following suit. The backstory here is not nearly that dramatic."

—R.I.P. "Millville woman is third fatality in deadly shooting at Fairfield house party"

—"9 shots 'and then it was over': What Fairfield NJ pastor heard on night of mass shooting"

—"Second district state Senate Republican primary candidates Q&A with the Stockton's Hughes Center"

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BIDEN TIME

THE RIGHT WAY, THE WRONG WAY AND THE CALLAWAY — "NJ Democrats want operative investigated amid voter fraud claims," by NJ Spotlight's Jeff Pillets: "Credible allegations of mail-in ballot fraud and other voting irregularities continue to stream from one corner of New Jersey, where Democrats are demanding investigations and shouting for election monitors ahead of next month's primary. At the center of the controversy is a political operative who's been instrumental in getting an entire generation of South Jersey Democrats elected to city council, school board and the state Legislature. Craig Callaway is also an ex-convict who spent 40 months in federal prison after accepting $36,000 in bribes while serving as Atlantic City Council president … Callaway's alliance with his party suffered a big hit last year when, in exchange for $110,000, he signed up with Democrat-turned-Republican Jeff Van Drew … Last week, Democrats in Atlantic County formally asked the New Jersey attorney general's office to investigate claims that Callaway manipulated mail-in ballots in the 2020 general election. The complaint, first reported by the Atlantic City Press, alleges that Callaway improperly assisted more than 125 people to fill out and deliver their mail-in ballots … 'The time has come for the party to finally cut ties with Craig Callaway,' said Atlantic City Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman. 'How can we claim to be the party of open and fair voting with a guy like this on our side?' Suleiman acknowledged that party leadership over the years bears responsibility for promoting Callaway despite widespread allegations that he abused mail-in ballot procedures through an elaborate and effective system of vote messengers."

—"At George Floyd anniversary, Booker says there's no deal yet on policing bill"

—" N.J. activists still fighting for change gather one year after George Floyd killing"

—"Spezakis intends to run for Congress In 2022, court filings say"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

LOCAL

SOME LONG TRIPS FOR VISITING HOURS — "Under proposed deal, Cumberland County inmates could go to Hudson County jail," by The Jersey Journal's Peter D'Auria: "The Hudson County Correctional Facility could house dozens of prisoners from Cumberland County as part of a proposed deal between the two counties. Hudson County commissioners will vote this week on a deal under which Cumberland County would pay Hudson County $104 per inmate per day to house 'a minimum of 64' inmates at the Kearny jail. The agreement would begin June 1 and last for one year … Since last month, Hudson County officials have expressed a newfound desire to exit the county's agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under which the federal agency pays the county $120 per person per day to hold detainees at Hudson County jail. Officials have said that exiting the controversial agreement is contingent on finding a new source of revenue."

THE TOXIC AVENGERS — "South Jersey residents sue chemical companies over 'public health catastrophe'," by NJ Spotlight's Jon Hurdle: "A local battle against toxic chemicals polluting water, soil and air in parts of South Jersey is going to federal court, as multiple lawsuits are being prepared alleging that chemicals emitted by two industrial plants caused birth defects, cancers and other illnesses in dozens of people. Four of the suits against a total of five companies have been filed in federal court for the District of New Jersey over the last year, and 'dozens' more are expected soon, said a lawyer for the plaintiffs. 'You really have a witches' brew exposing a population for years and decades. It's a public health catastrophe,' said attorney Steven Phillips in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. The plaintiffs are families in Carneys Point, Pennsville, Pedricktown, and nearby in Salem County who have claimed that their illnesses are the result of environmental contamination from the plants that include heavy metals like arsenic, lead and mercury, and solvents like benzene and toluene. Targeted too are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as 'forever chemicals,' which are linked to a range of serious illnesses and are increasingly subject to state oversight."

— " Figueroa throws his hat in the ring to challenge Ridley in Jersey City Ward A council race"

—"Jersey City commemorates first 'Black Lives Matter Day' on anniversary of Floyd's death; Black activist group calls it 'hypocritical'"

—" Trenton Public Schools board hires new superintendent with prior district experience"

—"New racist mailer hits Edison, with Bhagia ally promoting division between Indian, Pakistani community"

—" Camden schools will be open for the summer for all grades"

—"New Paterson sewer fee proposal is a mixed bag of increases, decreases"

—" Perth Amboy marchers support ban on recreational marijuana businesses'

—"In this NJ suburb [Summit], a gas blower ban backs residents and businesses into a corner | Opinion"

Did you know that POLITICO Pro has coverage and tools at the state level? All the state legislative and regulatory tracking, budget documents, state agency contact information, and everything else you need to stay ahead of state policy movement integrate into our smart and customizable platform. Learn more and become a Pro today.

EVERYTHING ELSE

WHIP IT BAD — "Monmouth Park threatens ban of jockeys who boycott opening day races Friday," by The Asbury Park Press' Stephen Edelson: "Jockyes who boycott Monmouth Park's opening-day card on Friday in a dispute over a new anti-whip rule could be banned from riding for the rest of the season at the Oceanport track, officials said Tuesday. The rule imposed by the New Jersey Racing Commission for the 2021 season states that use of whips 'except for reasons of safety' is prohibited. Critics of horse racing say striking a horse with a whip is unacceptable; the protesting jockeys say it's a necessary part of racing and that whip restrictions create an unsafe situation for riders and horses. Track officials took the new stance against jockeys who refuse to ride just hours before the draw for opening day entries was to take place."

— "In some places, people are returning pandemic pups. Why NJ pets may avoid that fate"

—"N.J. bars, restaurants cheer end of COVID restrictions, but labor crisis remains"

—"Company that runs Turnpike, Parkway service areas to be sold for $375M"

A message from Pre-K Our Way:

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, there's been pre-k expansion funding in every recent state budget! That's enabled NJ to expand pre-k for working families into 150+ school districts.

However, families in 110+ eligible districts still wait in rural, suburban and urban communities, and from east to west – and north to south.

The proposed FY2022 budget would continue to recognize pre-k expansion as a priority for now, and for our future. We agree with former Governor Tom Kean, "There are a few priority reforms we need to make to improve education in our state. One of our highest priorities should be the availability of quality pre-k programs for all of our children. These programs offer our best hope for future success in school and life."

Let's maintain pre-k expansion as a statewide priority. Continue substantial pre-k expansion in the coming year for New Jersey, and especially for its working families.

Visit prekourway.org