News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Candidate who once killed someone drunk driving faces new drunk driving charge

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Candidate who once killed someone drunk driving faces new drunk driving charge

Mar 29, 2022

Presented by American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation

Good Tuesday morning!

We all have flaws. Ian Smith, the owner of the Bellmawr gym who built a name for himself on the far-right for defying Covid restrictions and is now running for Congress, killed a 19-year-old while drunk driving when he was 20 years old.

"It's something that I fully accept responsibility for, and for anybody out there who hates me, I think you are completely justified in doing so," Smith said at the time.

Smith did his time in prison. Now he's running for the Republican nomination for Congress in the 3rd District. But a ccording to NJ.com, Smith was arrested in the wee hours Sunday and charged with driving under the influence, refusing to take a breath test, and several other offenses — including reckless driving.

Smith's campaign consultant, Steve Kush, told me that Smith was not drunk and that he passed the field sobriety test. "As a matter of fact, he passed the field sobriety test. And I'm sure when the body camera footage is released, it will show he indeed passed the test. The officer, apparently not satisfied, placed him under arrest. Took him to the police station. At which point he refused a breathalyzer," Kush said.

But what about the reckless driving? I.E. the " willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others." "It was windy Saturday night," Kush said, saying the car might have been blown around a bit. Kush suggested Smith may be facing all those charges because he took a disrespectful tone with the cop.

We'll see when the dash and body cam videos come out. Smith, like everyone else, is innocent until proven guilty. His actions as a young man ended another person's life and caused many people deep pain. And while in a previous era this arrest and his history would all but doom a campaign, today I'm just not so sure.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 42

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I think a lot of us had forgiven what he's done ... enough to get our own peace from it. What hurts from it now and makes it fresh is that he clearly did not learn a thing." — Jimmy Connolly, cousin of Congressional candidate Ian Smith's 2007 vehicular homicide victim, Kevin Ade, in a May 2020 interview.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Missed yesterday: The Lakewood Shopper's Shlomo Schorr

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

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

ACCOUNTING TO BE DONE BY THE FIRM OF ERNST & GROWN OLD — "Vets families still await Murphy promise of 'full accounting' 2 years after COVID disaster," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "Despite repeated promises to conduct an independent investigation and develop a 'full accounting' of his administration's handling of the pandemic — and in particular what happened in the veterans homes — Gov. Phil Murphy has not provided any substantive explanation for why so many men and women died in the three nursing homes his administration operates. In fact, his administration has fought against the release of key veterans home documents for more than a year … Since the early months of the pandemic, Murphy has been calling for a 'full accounting' and a 'post-mortem' — terms he has used repeatedly but has never precisely defined — to find out what went wrong at the veterans facilities and other nursing homes. Murphy promised 'a full accounting to get to the bottom of what happened' in October 2020, days after he fired four top officials in charge of the homes that housed hundreds, including many veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars. A year later, Murphy said there will be 'a full accounting, without question, independent of my office,' during a gubernatorial debate in October 2021 when pressed by GOP challenger Jack Ciattarelli. And this month at his last regular pandemic briefing, Murphy said he didn't have a 'precise answer' about when an examination would begin."

LOOK, IF YOU HAD ONE SHOT, ONE OPPORTUNITY TO FUND EVERYTHING YOU WANTED… — "Murphy's budget relies on 'one-shot' revenue sources for about 5% of spending," by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: "With tax collections reaching historic highs, Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed budget would reduce the total amount of spending backed by one-time sources of revenue. Yet newly released budget details indicate it would still rely on a significant allocation from budget reserves to reach a balanced bottom line. The budget figures, obtained by NJ Spotlight News through a public-records request, indicate Murphy is calling for roughly 5% of annual spending to be backed by what are known as non-recurring sources of revenue during the fiscal year that begins in July. Major credit-rating agencies and other fiscal watchdogs generally like to see annual expenditures line up with annual revenues; they often view a heavy reliance on one-time sources of revenue that are called 'one-shots' as a sign of trouble."

CARPENITO DIEM —Former U.S. attorney representing top Murphy staffer in Neuwirth lawsuit, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: Former U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito is representing George Helmy, Gov. Phil Murphy's chief of staff, in a nearly two-year-old whistleblower lawsuit against the state, Murphy and top members of the administration. Carpenito joined the case earlier this month, according to a court filing, and filed a motion on March 15 to dismiss former Assistant Health Commissioner Christopher Neuwirth's claims against Helmy. Neuwirth, who's suing for wrongful termination and defamation, claims he was fired after refusing an alleged request made indirectly by Helmy that he personally administer Covid tests to Helmy's in-laws.

CRANK YANKERS — "GOP senators want to know if N.J. workers are picking up their phones," by New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov: "A pair of Republican senators want a new method of oversight for state offices: cold calls. Sens. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) and Tony Bucco (R-Morris) on Thursday introduced a bill that would create the State Office of the Consumer to measure the availability of live-person assistance at state agencies, local governments, and regulated industries, like insurance companies. The push for a consumer advocate comes amid complaints the Department of Labor, Motor Vehicle Commission, and some other state agencies had spotty availability during the pandemic. 'This is really simple. If I'm running a company — even my own company — I call my office and see who picks it up, how they act,/ Bramnick said. 'No one does that at the Labor Department.'"

—Sarlo announces schedule for budget hearings

—" Dozens die in N.J. prisons each year. Families say it's taking too long to find out why"

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BIDEN TIME

IT'S A TAYLOR SHAM — "NJ Democrats want an early presidential primary. They should consider the risks — Stile," by The Record's Charles Stile: " New Jersey has made a compelling case, which state party Chairman LeRoy Jones detailed in a letter to Democratic National Committee officials earlier this month. But Jersey Democrats, beware. The intense, national attention has the potential of casting a harsh light on everything about New Jersey, warts and all. Be careful what you wish for … . The national media, discovering New Jersey politics anew, will all but certainly dive deep into the state's history of corruption — much of it linked to Democratic Party bosses of yore. And then there are the close ties between old Jersey politics and organized crime, including Richie "The Boot" Boiardo's control of Newark City Hall during the 1960s. Someone is almost certain to conjure the ghost of Frank "I Am The Law" Hague, the four-decade boss of Jersey City, and then wander down the long lane of Hudson County scandal into the modern era. There was the 2004 departure of Gov. Jim McGreevey after he admitted an affair with a male aide, or the convictions of (mostly) Democratic politicians, both petty and powerful, during the Christie era as U.S. attorney for New Jersey. It wouldn't be all that surprising if CNN hired Solomon Dwek, the fraudster and stool pigeon informant of Operation Bid Rig, as a consultant."

LAW — Sellinger establishes Civil Rights Division within U.S. Attorney's Office, by POLITICO's Jonathan Custodio: U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced Monday the formation of a Civil Rights Division within his office that will focus exclusively on enforcing federal civil rights laws in New Jersey. The division, Sellinger said, will be the first and largest of its kind in the district's history. "No one should ever be subject to acts of discrimination or hate because of where they are from, what they look like, whom they love, or how they worship," Sellinger said in a statement. "Hate crimes and unlawful bias incidents are antithetical to the core principles underlying our democracy, and the U.S. Attorney's Office will do all it can to combat these threats to constitutional and civil rights."

ALL SIZZLE NO RIZZO — "For off-the-line congressional candidates, March 31 is the most important day in the world," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "As New Jersey's annual avalanche of party conventions begins winding down, the frontrunners for the state's 12 congressional districts are becoming increasingly clear. With near-universal backing from their party's establishments, candidates like Democrat Tim Alexander in the 2nd district or Republican Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th district have put themselves in the driver's seat for their party's nominations. That makes the upcoming first quarter fundraising deadline on March 31 all the more important. The reports, which must be released to the public by April 15, will be the final concrete indication of how candidates are faring before the June 7 primary, and are the last chance for candidates without party support to show they're still in the running."

—"End of fishing, hunting? Redesignating Delaware Water Gap to national park faces obstacles"

—"Superstorm Sandy victims get 2-year reprieve on repaying federal disaster funds"

—" For off-the-line Congressional candidates, March 31 is the most important day in the world"

—"Biden's proposed budget includes $100M for Gateway Tunnel "

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

LOCAL

A SHREDDED-INCRIMINATING-DOCUMENT-TAPE PARADE — "Jersey City parade to honor NCAA Tournament heroes will be Friday, mayor says," by The Jersey Journal's Joshua Rosario : "Jersey City will whip out the blue and white this Friday to honor the St. Peter's University men's basketball team with a parade after its amazing run in the NCAA Tournament. SPU's Peacocks have spent the last two weeks dazzling viewers with a stunning and historic run all the way to the Elite Eight of the basketball tournament. Saint Peter's was eliminated Sunday night by North Carolina. Mayor Steve Fulop told The Jersey Journal the city will honor the team and its coach Friday afternoon with a parade that will end at the school with a rally for the students with the public.

R.I.P. — "Colandus 'Kelly' Francis, longtime Camden activist, dies at 87"

—Snowflack: " There's a recurring Republican sheriff in town"

—"Years after premonition, Teska Frisby running for Trenton's West Ward seat "

—"Paterson cop suspended after alleged drunk-driving crash that injured one in Clifton"

—"Essex County's Richardson: The pathway to apprenticeship – and leadership"

—" Judge dismisses Burlington GOP bid to stop appointment of a new county commissioner"

DON'T MISS POLITICO'S INAUGURAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT ON 3/31: Join POLITICO for a discussion with health care providers, policymakers, federal regulators, patient representatives, and industry leaders to better understand the latest policy and industry solutions in place as we enter year three of the pandemic. Panelists will discuss the latest proposals to overcome long-standing health care challenges in the U.S., such as expanding access to care, affordability, and prescription drug prices. REGISTER HERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE

RUTGERS ATHLETICS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY WASTER OF MONEY — "Stringer's return uncertain as leave approaches a year, leaving Rutgers players in limbo," by The Record's Jean Rimbach and Abbott Koloff: "They expected to learn from a legend. But when players on the women's basketball team arrived on the Rutgers University campus last summer to get ready for the 2021-22 season, coach C. Vivian Stringer was nowhere to be found … During a video call on Nov. 8, the coach told her team that she would be out for the rest of the season … Stringer, 74, remains on a paid leave that has so far included at least $235,000 in bonuses on top of her $1 million annual salary, a leave that began in April — just days after she signed a new five-year contract. The university said she initially intended to be back for the season, but her leave was extended three times. Rutgers' explanations for the leave are murky."

SANTA MUST LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR NAUGHTY CHILD STOCKING SUPPLY — "N.J.'s last two coal plants set to close. 'A world without coal' is cleaner, safer, Murphy says." by NJ Advance Media's Brent Johnson: The era of power plants using coal to generate electricity is ending in New Jersey. The last two remaining coal-fired plants in the Garden State — both in South Jersey — are preparing to cease operation within months, Gov. Phil Murphy's administration announced last week. Murphy called the move a "very good step in the right direction" as the state continues to shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable, or greener, energy sources. The Democratic governor has set a goal of using only carbon-free — or "clean" — energy sources by 2050."

THE ROBOTS WILL TURN AGAINST HUMANS BUT INSTEAD OF 'SKYNET' THEIR NETWORK WILL BE CALLED 'HAIRNET' — "First robot burger vending machine, RoboBurger opens in Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City," by The Record's Rebecca King: "'Hello Human," says the glowing screen of RoboBurger in the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City. RoboBurger is essentially a burger vending machine — or as co-founder Dan Braido puts it, "a whole kitchen shoved into 12-square feet … The RoboBurger in Newport Centre is the first in operation in the country. But founders Braido, Audley Wilson and Andy Seliegl hope to soon open more in malls, colleges and hospitals nationwide."

—" Ex-Olympian mounting insanity defense for shooting trainee at N.J. equestrian farm"

A message from American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation:

No worker in New Jersey should have to choose between their health and a paycheck, but that's exactly what a loophole in state law forces Atlantic City casino employees to do every day. It's past time to eliminate the casino smoking loophole by passing S264/A2151, bipartisan bills supported by legislators across the state and which Gov. Murphy says he'll sign. New Jersey should not allow any worker to be subjected to known carcinogens. Atlantic City casinos have been setting revenue records and operating with the fewest employees in years. Now is the time to protect casino employees' health. Just like restaurants adapted and thrived 16 years ago, casinos will do the same—and going smokefree can be a win-win, as several Pennsylvania casinos have voluntarily gotten rid of smoking and are setting revenue records. Learn why thousands of casino employees are speaking out on this life and death matter.