News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Hudson Dems' redistricting self-own

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Hudson Dems' redistricting self-own

Feb 22, 2022

Good Tuesday morning!

Have you ever seen a self-own like the one Hudson County Democrats just suffered in redistricting?

In the lead up to the vote to install a new legislative district map — an unprecedented consensus map between most Democrats and Republicans on the redistricting commission — I started getting calls from Democrats. Their strategy of drawing a map that would give the party pick-up opportunities rested partly on carving up Jersey City three ways. It was questionable whether that would fly legally. But they had arguments prepared.

Then Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop's letter all but threatening a lawsuit if they went ahead with the plan turned tie-breaker Phi Carchman against it. Fulop told me he wasn't alone in writing the letter. He had the help of allies of North Bergen mayor/state Sen. Nick Sacco.

"[I]f the Democrats' position today is to cast blame so that everybody should look the other way so they could do something illegal [then] that's their predicament. If that's their excuse, the Republicans would have won and should have won," Fulop said.

Regardless of those motivations, what resulted was a map that split Jersey City two ways but bunked Sacco and state Sen. Brain Stack (both D-Hudson) in a North Hudson district. While there were ways Democrats could have re-drawn Hudson to not put those two together (see Republicans' earlier proposed map that was intended for public consumption), the alternatives weren't politically palatable to other Democrats. This also created a senator-less Jersey City-Hoboken district that immediately made Assemblymember Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) a shoo-in for Senate.

And so on Friday, Hudson County Democrats were left futilely calling for the redistricting commission to delay a vote on the map. It didn't happen, and now we'll see if this progresses to a Sacco/Stack primary.

Read more about this here. See the new map here. And read more about Essex County's redistricting drama below.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Chairman Jones and the members of the Legislative Apportionment Commission voting in favor of this map have committed nothing short of political malpractice. A decade ago, with Democrats in New Jersey out-numbering Republicans by just over 300,000 people, we were able to construct a map that provided the possibility of 27 Democratic districts. Now, with over 1 million more Democrats, this Commission is agreeing to a map that will pit 4 incumbent Democratic senators into 2 districts. It is now clear to me that I was removed from the committee because it was known I would never allow this to happen; it is frightening to see what is occurring before us. " — Former Senate President Steve Sweeney, who was booted from the redistricting commission by Jones

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 8

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

IF IT CAN'T BE AN NFL FARM TEAM, WHAT'S THE POINT OF EVEN HAVING A UNIVERSITY? — "Rutgers president: Athletics 'highly unlikely' to ever break even financially," by NJ Advance Media's Steve Politi: "In a surprising speech to the Rutgers faculty senate, university president Jonathan Holloway acknowledged on Friday that the athletics department is "highly unlikely" to break even financially as it doubles down on its commitment big-time sports and the Big Ten conference. Rutgers spent $118.4 million to fund its athletics program during the most recent academic year, according to financial records. That includes a $73.3 million deficit during the COVID-impacted year, the largest school history, that was offset by millions in support from the university's operating budget, student fees, an internal loan and other sources. 'For too long the entire Rutgers community has been laboring under the illusion that athletics will generate enough revenue to pay for itself and, then, in time turn a profit,' Holloway said in his remarks. 'Let me disabuse you of that claim. While I would be thrilled if athletics were to cover all of its expenses, it is highly unlikely that it will.' Holloway's blunt assessment is a departure from previous university presidents' stances on athletics … They also come at a time when the university's spending on athletics are under increased scrutiny from some faculty members and even lawmakers. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., chair of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee, recently send a letter asking Rutgers to justify football coach Greg Schiano's eight-year, $32 million contract."

—"Rutgers-New Brunswick will offer free or lower tuition for students whose families make less than $100K"

CADDLE CONNECTION — " How did a N.J. political consultant find a hit man? Was his brother the connection?" by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "Caddle's older brother, James Caddle Jr., was in the same New Jersey state prison for more than three years with one of the men allegedly hired by Sean Caddle to do the job. According to the corrections department records, James Caddle served time for kidnapping, burglary and robbery in Northern State Prison in Newark from January 2007 through April 2010. During that same period, George Bratsenis, who has been named by federal prosecutors but yet to be formally charged, was also in Northern State Prison, overlapping James Caddle's sentence from September 2006 through November 2010 on weapons and robbery charges. While there are is no documentation the two men knew each other, the U.S. Attorney's office has charged that Sean Caddle hired Bratsenis to murder Michael Galdieri, who had worked on political campaigns with Caddle."

IN SOVIET JERSEY, LINE DRAWS YOU — "In both New Jersey and Soviet Russia, democracy requires a choice of candidates," by Julia Sass Rubin for The Star-Ledger: "As a child in Soviet Russia, I distinctly remember my mom voting. Like most Russians, she never missed an election — all adult citizens were expected to vote and failing to do so could have substantial economic and political repercussions. Although rates of voting participation were high, election outcomes were never in doubt because there was only one candidate available for each position. I've thought about the Soviet system a lot over the last few years as I've researched New Jersey politics, particularly our primary elections. As was the case in Soviet Russia, New Jersey residents are encouraged to vote. In fact, laudable recent reforms have made voting easier, with expanded access to vote by mail and early voting. And, like adults in Soviet Russia, voters in much of New Jersey have few choices when they get to the polls, particularly in primary elections. In the 2021 primaries, for example, I've determined that only 10% of the 240 legislative positions on the ballot were contested. Since most of the state is dominated by one of the two major political parties, voters have few real choices in the general election as well."

JONES DEPRIVES GILL OF POLITICAL OXYGEN — " Codey v. Gill v. McKeon, the talk, the walk, the waiting game, and the implications of Essex," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, who served as co-chair of the legislative redistricting commission, saw the opportunity to hit the eject button on Gill, who exercised senatorial courtesy to stall his choice for county prosecutor (not to mention the history of Gill beating Jones for the senate seat in 2003), and promote his own ally, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (D-34) in a reconstituted 34th District. Getting rid of Gill and promoting Timberlake gives Jones – a statewide power player who leads the Democratic state Committee in addition to the county party organization – a chance to beef up Essex … Jones wanted to rebuild the party, and he had Timberlake in part for that – but would he really allow three aging white Irish guys to occupy the ticket in LD27? … The hope, the source said, was that McKeon (309K in the bank) and Codey would sit down. They were old friends. Twenty years cemented as slate mates was a long time. They could sit, and talk, and come to an agreement."

—"Nia Gill vs. Richard Codey? Montclair's move to new legislative district could set up the battle"

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—"' This is going to be bad' N.J. wasn't ready for omicron. Can it fix the school chaos and testing woes before the next wave?"

—"'Abject crisis' of judicial vacancies hits NJ Supreme Court: How it affects prominent cases"

—"Why you still can't buy legal pot in N.J. 16 months after voters gave the go-ahead"

—" Whoops! NJ fixes understatement on cost of electric boiler switch Read More: Whoops! NJ fixes understatement on cost of electric boiler switch"

R.I.P. —"Sean Hughes, N.J. bus company executive, dies at 44"

BIDEN TIME

ROB WINS COVETED BOB ENDORSEMENT — "Rob Menendez, the congressional candidate, navigates stepping into and out of dad's shadow," by The Jersey Journal's Jake Maher: "Menendez (he's 'Rob,' while dad is 'Bob') said the most important lesson imparted by his father is that politics 'is about service, and you have to work hard every single day to improve the lives of your constituents.' That ethos — of politics as a form of public service to the district he grew up in — informed his decision to run. 'In this moment, with everything that's happening in our communities and our state and our country, I feel a need to be actively engaged,' Menendez said. 'To be of service to my community.' His father said he is in it for the right reasons. 'He's a lawyer that's making more money than he'll make as a United States House of Representatives member … so it's not about money. Not about fame, he's on the board of the Port of Authority of New York and New Jersey, that can give you some wide recognition,' Bob Menendez said. 'He has a deep and abiding sense of service to others.'"

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LOCAL

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO 'HMMM…' — "Bayonne knew of Turnpike Authority's interest in Marist property before making deal with developer, documents show," by The Jersey Journal's Teri West: "The future of the Marist High School property seemed certain for more than a year after it announced it would close in June 2020: It would become a public school. Then in late 2021, when that plan had disintegrated due to prohibitive costs, the city pulled together a proposed redevelopment plan for local developer Alessi Organization, a campaign donor to Mayor Jimmy Davis, to build on the land instead. The Jersey Journal has learned that well before Bayonne finalized its deal with Alessi, city officials knew the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) was interested in the property as part of the plan to expand the Newark Bay-Hudson County Turnpike Extension, which runs overhead past the site. Wednesday night the City Council approved the redevelopment plan. According to documents obtained by The Jersey Journal, city officials met with Turnpike Authority officials on April 20. Also, a letter dated April 26 from the NJTA informed the city that the agency may need to access the Marist High School land to 'perform preliminary engineering and environmental services' related to its project … That City Council approval means the property is likely more valuable than it was on Tuesday. Frank Alessi has donated $2,090 to Davis' campaigns since 2017."

MANVILLE — "N.J. police chief placed on leave after employee alleges rape in lawsuit," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio and Kelly Heyboer: "The chief of the Manville Police Department has been placed on temporary leave after a veteran employee alleged in a civil lawsuit that he repeatedly sexually assaulted her at work and raped her at her home in a 'prolonged pattern and practice of abhorrent sexual harassment"'that continued for 13 years. Police Chief Thomas J. Herbst, who has worked for the department for 30 years, is accused of masturbating in front of the woman at the police department and touching her inappropriately on a regular basis while he was a lieutenant and her supervisor, according to the lawsuit filed last week."

CORREA WAR — "Dirty politics behind redraw of electoral wards in Dover? Residents, candidate say yes," by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: "The Morris County Board of Elections tabled a bid by Dover officials Wednesday to redraw portions of the town's electoral wards after hearing accusations the proposed lines were placed to protect some incumbent aldermen from primary challenges. Allegations of 'backroom politics' were leveled during the public session of the meeting, which was attended by 27 people online. Several speakers objected to the short notice given for the meeting via a Daily Record legal notice on Monday while the issue of adjusting the wards had yet to be discussed in a public meeting. 'This was done behind our backs,' said resident Ana Cerrato … 'The town of Dover posts everything on Facebook and on their website, but the redistricting plan for our town was never posted,'said 3rd Ward resident Maria Chacon … Dover attorney and activist Karol Ruiz, who has filed to challenge incumbent 3rd Ward Alderman Edward Correa in the June Democratic primary, said the redistricting proposal would remove her from the ward, along with another likely Democratic primary challenger and a likely Republican candidate.

BRIDGEWATER — " Other boy from Bridgewater mall fight says cops were 'racist' to cuff Black teen but not him," by NJ Advance Media's Josh Solomon: "The way Joseph tells it, he was trying to prevent a fight from happening last Saturday at the Bridgewater Commons mall. Instead, he ended up in a brawl that was caught on video and then went viral because it showed two Bridgewater police officers handcuffing only the other teen in the fight, who is Black. Joseph, 15, is Colombian and Pakistani and says he's 'not white.' He has been referred to on social media and in some news reports as 'white' because he has light colored skin. The high school sophomore said once he saw cops put the other teen, Kye, into handcuffs, he offered himself up to be detained, too. Instead, the officers sat him down on a couch, the video shows. 'I don't understand why they arrested him and not me,' said Joseph, interviewed Friday by NJ Advance Media. 'I say that was just plain old racist. I don't condone that at all. Like I said, I even offered to get arrested.'"

BROKEN REED — "Trenton legislators call on council prez, VP to resign over clerk debacle," by The Trentonian's Isaac Avilucea : "Legislators said council president Kathy McBride and vice president Marge Caldwell-Wilson "are destroying the city" and should step down from leadership on the legislative body. 'Their main agenda is to destroy Reed,' South Ward councilman George Muschal said. 'Nothing's gonna get done. The people right now hate 'em. If Marge runs, they'll never vote for her. If Kathy runs, they'll never vote for her.' Muschal and East Ward councilman Joe Harrison are tired of watching council leadership allow city clerk Matthew Conlon to run roughshod over the capital city. Conlon, who was hired in August 2020, abandoned his post Tuesday after getting into a tiff with Muschal over allegations that the clerk sexually harassed three women from his office."

—"'They hate me.' Political clashes are stifling [Trenton's] redevelopment, mayor says"

—" Paterson City Council president's SUV stolen from outside her home"

—"Fired [Vineland] personnel head is suing, alleging pressure to lie about police leadership"

—"Brother of Nutley woman missing 26 years wins long battle for police records"

—"OPRA activist wins fight over Lawnside records"

—"'Child abuse' and 'mask mouth': The debate over masks in Hillsborough schools continues"

—"Fair Share Housing lawsuit over NY Red Bulls training site in Morris Twp. moves forward"

—"Monmouth chief toots county's horn: 'This is the best place to live in New Jersey'"

—"'It's not in my DNA to cooperate,' Former Operative [Bertoli] says of federal charges "

EVERYTHING ELSE

NURSING HOMES — "Nearly 200 people are locked down, living in 'inhumane' conditions at N.J. nursing home, advocate says," by NJ Advance Media's Susan K. Livio and Ted Sherman: "They live three to a room, in a space that is visibly dirty and smells like urine and feces. They have serious mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries and are segregated from the rest of the nursing home. Woodland Behavioral and Nursing Center at Andover in Sussex County, now facing a widening investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect, confines nearly 200 residents with mental illness and developmental disabilities on a locked floor that operates like an 'unlicensed psychiatric hospital,' charged the leader of a federally funded legal group that advocates for the human, civil, and legal rights of those with disabilities. After visiting the facility Wednesday, Gwen Orlowski, executive director for Disability Rights New Jersey said she immediately contacted the commissioners for the departments of Human Services and Health and urged them to go see it for themselves. 'They languish, prisoners of the 3rd floor without much hope that anyone cares, that they will ever leave and return to the community,"'according to Orlowski's email to Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli."

—" Two nursing home residents, in Parsippany and Teaneck, found dead outside of facilities"

THE CATCH IS IT WILL ONLY GET RID OF THE RIVER'S ACNE — Company offers $441M for Passaic River cleanup — with a catch , by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: One of the companies legally responsible for polluting the Passaic River is now offering $441 million to help speed the cleanup of one of the largest and most expensive Superfund sites in the country. But there's a catch. The company making the offer, Occidental Chemical Corp., known as OxyChem, wants something in return for its money. It wants to put conditions on any settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and some of the other 100 or so companies potentially responsible for polluting the river.

R.I.P. — "Loved ones say farewell to NYC stabbing victim Christina Yuna Lee in Palisades Park"

—"Only four Kmarts are left in the U.S. and two are in New Jersey"

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