News: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Propping up the conspiracy theorists

Friday, July 22, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Propping up the conspiracy theorists

Jul 22, 2022

Presented by Rise Light & Power

Good Thursday morning!

Gov. Phil Murphy is vice-chair of the Democratic Governors Association and will soon be its chair for a second time. He's also spoken out against 2020 election deniers and the conspiracy theory-laden extremism that's gripped much of the Republican base.

So I have to ask: How does Murphy feel about the DGA spending over $1 million to highlight the primary campaign of Maryland's new Republican gubernatorial nominee, Dan Cox, a "Stop the Steal" Republican who bused Trump supporters to the Jan. 6 rally? I put the question to a Murphy adviser Dan Bryan, who referred the question to DGA spox David Turner.

"The best way to protect democracy is by electing Democratic governors. Primary after primary, Republicans are either committed to overturning democratic elections, or refuse to commit to protecting democracy. Democrats have a duty to expose this extremism whether it is explicit or implicit," Turner said in a statement, adding that it's abundantly clear Republican primary voters "want these extremists because they keep nominating them."

There is plausible deniability that these ads are meant to help the far-right Republicans win in the primary because they're written in such a way as they can look both negative to Democrats and positive to Trump Republicans.

Interfering in the other side's primary to run against the candidate you think would be weaker in the general elections is not a new tactic, and the DGA is far from the only organization to do this ( See Josh Shapiro's spending to help Doug Mastriano swing state Pennsylvania). But election conspiracy theorists really are a threat to democracy. Should that take priority over considering them potentially easier to beat than a Republican who doesn't engage in this kind of rhetoric?

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 156

WHERE'S MURPHY? In Lincroft for an 11 a.m. State Police graduation ceremony

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "No matter the circumstances or outcomes, all hit-and-runs deserve the utmost condemnation. It is never acceptable to leave the scene of a crash. It is not only criminal—it reduces the chance someone injured gets timely, possibly life-saving aid." — A joint statement by Safe Streets JC and Bike JC on Jersey City Councilmember Amy DeGise's alleged hit and run . They're also calling for the release of surveillance video of the incident.

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Kivvit's Adam Steinberger , Volunteer of America's Alexis Degan, State Department's Marelyn Rivera, former Rep. Mike Ferguson, former Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano. Saturday for Dem operative Michael Muller. Sunday for Asssemblymember Ned Thomson. Sunday for AP's Michael Catalini, Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark

A message from Rise Light & Power:

The Clear Choice for NJ Clean Energy — What would advance New Jersey as a national leader in the fight against climate change and repurpose a decades-old brownfield? Transforming the site of a former coal plant into a gateway for offshore wind with strong community support. That's the Outerbridge Renewable Connector, an "extension cord" connecting clean offshore wind energy to New Jersey's power grid.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE SHBP HITS THE FAN — State Health Benefits Commission delays vote on potential 24-percent rate hike , by POLITICO's Matt Friedman: The State Health Benefits Commission has put off a vote that had been scheduled for Monday to raise health insurance rates for thousands of state, county and local government employees by 24 percent, according to local government lobbyists. John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties alerted his organization's membership to the potential rate hike in a series of emails this week … Treasury spokesperson Jennifer Sciortino said in a statement that rates for active members and earlier retirees will likely rise between 12 and 20 percent, rather than 24 percent, and attributed that to "several extraordinary factors," including inflation and increased use of medical services because of Covid and people who put off care earlier in the pandemic … "We believe that these circumstances are an anomaly, rather than the norm, and we believe that it is more likely than not that utilization and costs will normalize," she said.

NO SAVINGS ON THE HORIZON — " New Jersey's disputed $34 million insurance program failed to stem rising health costs ," by Bloomberg's John Tozzi: "Last year, New Jersey officials in charge of the state employee health plan sought a major refund from their insurer for failing to deliver on a money-saving program, but their complaint stalled. Now outside consultants confirm the program yielded no apparent savings, one reason New Jersey's health-care expenses are rising. The finding adds new evidence to a contract dispute in which the state tried to reclaim $34 million from insurer Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, which manages billions of dollars of medical spending for the state plan."

GIT-R-DUNN — " Dunn to introduce bill requiring budget resolutions be released by June ," by NJ Advance Media's George Christopher: "Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Mendham), a member of the Assembly Budget committee, announced today that she plans to introduce legislation that would require budget resolutions be published publicly by June 1, well before the June 30 deadline for passing a final budget. 'Timely disclosure of budget documents is intended to allow for ample examination and instill public confidence in the process,' Dunn said in a statement. 'Unfortunately, legislative leaders have failed to follow the rules, so it is time we spell them out clearly in law.' Dunn, who was outspoken about the lack of transparency in this year's budget process, noted that requests for changes to the budget still have not been released nearly a month after the budget was approved."

SECRET BALLOT — " Risking not-so-secret ballot for NJ voters ," by NJ Spotlight News' Colleen O'Dea : "An analysis by NJ Spotlight News of early in-person voter rolls from last month's primary found that the votes of more than 2,500 people statewide could have been exposed had county clerks been required to report results at the district level. That's because those voters were the only members of their political party to vote early in person in their voting districts. Likely thousands more who voted by provisional ballot also could have had their votes uncovered … The analysis found 42 voters in Hunterdon were the lone Democrat or Republican to vote early in their respective districts last month. Among them were the county's chief financial officer and U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7th). Hunterdon officials found that 73 people who voted by provisional ballot, more than a third of all who did so, also could have had their votes revealed."

—" Pandemic overdose deaths took heaviest toll on Black, Hispanic communities "

—" Bipartisan bill would end 'stranger loophole' for restraining orders "

—Mulshine: " Governor Murphy pours cold water on craft brewers' hopes "

— Murphy signs police licensing bill

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today .

BIDEN TIME

TO SHEREEF'S RELIEF — " After a 5-year wait, VA gets a new top medical leader ," by The Air Force Times' Leo Shane III: "After more than a five-year wait, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a Senate-confirmed official leading its health care operations again. Lawmakers on Thursday voted 66-23 to confirm Dr. Shereef Elnahal as the next VA under secretary for health. 'Now more than ever, the Department of Veterans Affairs needs a steady hand to guide the Veterans Health Administration,' said Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Montana, in a floor speech just before the vote. Elnahal'"has an impressive record of leading health care systems and health agencies,' he said. 'But more importantly than that, he is committed to caring for the more than 9 million veterans currently in VA's care.' … President Joe Biden nominated Elnahal in March. He currently serves as chief executive officer of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. He received largely positive reviews from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee members during his confirmation hearing in April, but his nomination has been stalled since May after Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, blocked an attempt to fast-track his appointment over general concerns about Biden's nominees."

—" Long-awaited bill to end federal ban on marijuana introduced in U.S. Senate "

—" The prodigal 'family': Richard Wolfe and the Republican Party "

A message from Rise Light & Power:

LOCAL

COMMISSIONERS TO BLOCK: YOU'RE FIURED — " 'How does this help our county?': Removal of Block riles up public, Ocean County GOP," by The Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: "There is political trouble ahead for the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, warned county GOP Chairman George R. Gilmore on Wednesday. The five-member, all-Republican commission had just voted unanimously to appoint Michael J. Fiure as county administrator and thus oust his soon-to-be predecessor, Carl W. Block ― effective Sept. 1. A standing-room-only crowd filled the first floor meeting room to protest the move as armed sheriff's officers stood guard to enforce the peace. Before Commission Director Jack Kelly opened the floor to the public, he noted Gilmore's objection to the board's pending action and likeminded letters 'from a number of Republican clubs (and) a number of mayors.' "What seems to be at issue is not the fact of whether or not Mike Fiure is ready to be our next administrator, but rather when,' Kelly said … Block wanted to stay (even if only until the end of the year) but a majority of commissioners wanted him out by the end of August … Gilmore, who has been friends with Block for more than 40 years, told the administrator that he was the victim of age-discrimination and advised him that he ought to sue."

GROTESQUE — " Newark police officers, father and son, indicted in Parkway crash that killed a nurse ," by NJ Advance Media's Anthony G. Attrino: "A Newark police lieutenant and his police officer son have been indicted in the death of a nurse who was killed last year while walking on the Garden State Parkway after a Halloween party, authorities said. Lt. Luis Santiago and his son, Officer Louis Santiago, also a Newark cop, are charged in the death of 29-year-old Damian Z. Dymka, a nurse who was struck and killed as he walked on the shoulder of the Parkway … The younger Santiago allegedly struck Dymka, of Garfield, after he had been drinking at a local tavern … 'Instead of immediately calling 911 it is alleged that Santiago and his cousin, Guzman, left the scene, and went to the Santiago family residence where they met with Lt. Luis Santiago,' Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, said in a statement. The younger Santiago then returned to the scene and placed Dymka's body in his car, Stephens said. As Santiago drove away with Dymka's body, his father went to the scene of the crash and 'after a significant delay,' called 911, the prosecutor alleged in the statement."

IS ONE OF THEM A DRIVER FOR AMY DEGISE? — " Jersey City councilmembers hire new staffers to meet growing demands ," by The Jersey Journal's Jake Maher: "Jersey City residents may soon start seeing new faces around city hall, at community events, and answering questions for their councilmembers as the city council goes on a mini-hiring spree for staffers. The city enacted a law in January quadrupling the number of staff members a councilmember can have to four, and since the New Jersey Civil Service Commission approved the changes in May some councilmembers have taken on new aides."

MEANWHILE, EVERY POLITICIAN HAS CHALLENGED A LAW THAT ALLOWS THEIR PANTS TO BE SET ON FIRE IN RESPONSE TO LIES — " Judge upholds N.J. Sore Loser Law," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "A Superior Court Judge defended New Jersey's Sore Loser Law on Thursday, ruling that a Colts Neck man who ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for township committee in the June Republican primary was ineligible to file as an independent candidate in the same election. Joseph Abutel filed a lawsuit to get on the ballot after Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon had rejected his nominating petitions, citing the state's Sore Loser Law. Superior Court Judge Linda Grasso Jones agreed. 'The court is satisfied that Hanlon's determination,' Grasso Jones wrote in a decision issued a few hours after a short court hearing. 'He cannot petition for direct nomination as an independent candidate and cannot appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.'"

OTHER HOBOKEN CANDIDATES KICKING THEMSELVES FOR NAMING THEIR SLATE 'KID LAST' — " Opposition Hoboken ed board slate forms in wake of high school referendum defeat ," by The Jersey Journal's Teri West: "In the wake of the failed Hoboken mega-high school referendum, three Hoboken residents — including one of the most prominent voices in the "vote no" movement — have teamed up to run for Hoboken Board of Education in November. Pavel Sokolov, Donna Magen and Cindy Wiegand comprise the opposition slate called 'Kids First' The deadline to file petitions to run is Monday. Residents seeking to oust sitting board members is the most recent, and potentially impactful, result of the Board of Education's proposal for a new $241 million taxpayer-funded high school posed to voters via a January referendum."

—" Court rejects Englewood Cliffs bid to block affordable housing project at Unilever site "

—" Three can't sue county over Hudson jail COVID-19 cases, appellate court rules "

—" First woman, Latina becomes deputy chief in Camden police history "

—" Lake Hopatcong algae bloom triggers first health advisory of year as temperatures soar "

—" Trenton rises against Thomas Edison State University's anticipated sale of historic painting "

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EVERYTHING ELSE

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE A HOFFA — " FBI: No sign of Jimmy Hoffa under New Jersey bridge ," by The AP: "The FBI found no evidence of missing Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa during a search of land under a New Jersey bridge, a spokeswoman said Thursday. The decadeslong mystery turned last year to land next to a former landfill under the Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City. The FBI conducted a search there in early June."

—" North Jersey animal shelters facing severe overcrowding due to inflation ,"

—" 12 New Jersey VFW posts placed under suspension by state office "

—" GoFundMe fraudster gets prison time after fake homeless vet story raises $400K "

A message from Rise Light & Power:

The Outerbridge Renewable Connector (Outerbridge) – a proposal before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities – would enable the state to harness offshore wind energy by repurposing an abandoned brownfield, revitalizing an industrial-zoned waterfront, and supporting the local and state economy without impacting our beaches.

Outerbridge, proposed by Rise Light & Power, would be an underground electrical transmission project functioning as an "extension cord" and connecting energy generated by offshore wind farms to New Jersey's power grid. Outerbridge would support New Jersey's economic growth and resilience strategy. It is projected to deliver clean energy to 1.4 million homes and generate more than $1 billion in economic activity.

The project would minimize community disruption, protect environmentally sensitive areas and repurpose the past to power the future. Outerbridge would play a key role addressing the health and economic dangers of climate change while protecting the Jersey Shore we know and love.