| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by AARP | Good Friday morning! Is this just an anomaly, or the start of something bigger? Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello III has registered to challenge Sen. Bob Menendez in the 2024 Democratic primary. Signorello isn’t talking about it yet. He just filed paperwork with the FEC. But you can be sure that Menendez will do everything he can to squash this small town mayor’s challenge early. The question is, even if he’s able to do that, will he still wind up playing Whac-a-Mole? After all, Menendez is once again under federal investigation — this time related somehow to New Jersey Halal meat company that got exclusive export rights to Egypt. Nobody but a few prosecutors and attorneys have any idea just how advanced this investigation will go. But the timing isn’t ideal, just a year before Menendez will have to start gearing up for reelection. Menendez is still extraordinarily powerful. If he wasn’t, his son wouldn’t have just walked into a U.S. House seat. Democrats will almost certainly publicly rally around him. But there are a lot of ambitious Democrats in New Jersey, and if they start to smell blood, I imagine more high-profile names than Signorello will surface. And keep in mind there are political bosses who would love a release valve for the 2025 gubernatorial candidate logjam. But even if this is a lone long shot challenge by Signorello, it’s not necessarily quixotic. Remember: Lisa McCormick, a virtually-unknown and unfunded Democrat, got 38 percent of the vote against Menendez in the 2018 primary simply by being a non-Menendez name on the ballot. That came after Menendez beat corruption charges. If McCormick could do that with no real campaign, could a scrappy mayor who’s already shown a gift for social media do better? I think it all depends on where this investigation goes. Read more about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Book banning is incredibly archaic.” — Assemblymember Britnee Timberlake WHERE’S MURPHY? Our nation’s capital HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mark Bonamo, Phil Morin, Kelly Redkoles. Saturday for Samantha Marcus, Rebecca Symes, Charlie Graziano. Sunday for Cosmo Cirillo, Jim Logue | | | | A message from AARP: Many family caregivers in New Jersey struggle to keep their older loved ones at home – and out of costly, taxpayer-funded nursing homes – often sacrificing their jobs and tapping into their savings to make it work. Now increases in the cost of gas, food, and housing are making it even more difficult. We need to give family caregivers financial relief. Tell your state lawmakers to pass the Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) now. We need it. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
THE WHO’S TAMMY — Tammy Murphy tops name recognition among potential 2025 gubernatorial contenders, poll finds, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Add another first for first lady Tammy Murphy. Tammy Murphy had the highest name recognition of any potential 2025 candidate for governor mentioned in a poll Thursday by Fairleigh Dickinson University. The news comes even though Tammy Murphy’s name is not often seriously bandied about to succeed her husband, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, when he’s term-limited out of office in January 2026. The poll included more good news for the Murphys: Gov. Murphy’s approval rating stood at 48 percent positive and 36 percent negative — up 8 points and down 4 points, respectively, from an October FDU poll. “Right now, the race on the Democratic side is wide open,” professor Dan Cassino, director of the poll, said in a press release. “There are a lot of candidates who have been biding their time and waiting for their chance, and this is it.”
BAD NEWS FOR RIDERS BUT GOOD NEWS FOR ICE CREAM LOVERS — “Murky future of NJ Transit led to vice chair's abrupt exit, he says in exclusive interview,” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “The future of NJ Transit — specifically its handling of financing and budget issues — was Cedrick Fulton’s concern when he shocked New Jersey’s transportation circles by abruptly resigning Tuesday, he told The Record and NorthJersey.com in an exclusive interview. ‘There are some rocky roads ahead financially speaking for NJ Transit and I was concerned on multiple fronts with regard to how NJ Transit could become a better, more efficient organization,’ the former vice chairman of the board said. ‘I’m concerned about the future of NJ Transit and I began to get the sense that others did not. And that’s very troublesome to me especially when there are matters that the board has to vote on that has long-term implications.’ … [H]is sudden departure naturally raised questions about the agency's management.” CHILD WELFARE — “N.J.’s child welfare system stopped investigating child-on-child sexual abuse cases, watchdog says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “The state’s child welfare agency declined to investigate more than 100 reports of child-on-child sexual assaults and other “inappropriate sexual activity” in 2021, according to a report by the Office of the State Comptroller Wednesday that accuses the Murphy administration of not following the law and its own policies. Officials at the state Department of Children and Families — backed by the leader of a prominent child advocacy organization — say the comptroller report is missing important context. The state is trying to reduce the instances in which it investigates families in what is often an invasive, traumatizing experience. If the allegations involve a child perpetrator, the agency refers these cases to the children’s mental health system so they both can receive treatment … The critical report lands at a very sensitive time for the Murphy administration, which is about five months away from ending 20 years of court supervision of its child welfare system.” | | | | 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. | | | | |
WHARTON STATE RACETRACK — “Critics slam state’s proposal for vehicle permits in Wharton State Forest,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Six months ago, with dirt bikers and ATV riders illegally tearing up the Wharton State Forest in the Pinelands, state environmental officials proposed a controversial solution — requiring motorists to buy permits as a way to ferret out the law-flouters. Wednesday, the Pineys were clear. They don’t want it. About 350 people tuned in to a three-hour, virtual public hearing Wednesday night on the state Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal to create a vehicle permit system in the 124,350-acre forest, similar to one at Island Beach State Park where people pay $195 a year for permits to drive on the beach to go fishing. A steady stream of critics — from lifelong residents to hunters to kayakers to elected officials to even a ‘Subaru ambassador and soft-road enthusiast’— were clear in their disgust for the permit plan.”
SHE WILL INSTEAD RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON THE SWEENEY-TODD TICKET — “Somerset Dems still looking to keep Assembly seat after withdrawal of their only contender,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Patricia Taylor Todd dropped out of a race she had not yet entered on Wednesday, saying she would no longer pursue the Democratic nomination for an open State Assembly seat in the 16th legislative district. The move comes as Mitchelle Drulis, a veteran Democratic staffer who served as Rep. Tom Malinowski’s district director for four years, has emerged as the clear favorite to replace Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer (D-Montgomery), who unexpectedly announced last month that she would not seek re-election to a second term. Todd, appointed to the Montgomery Township Committee late last year, was a no-show at the Hunterdon County Democratic convention on Tuesday evening” —NJ Transit looks to move offices, creating potential redevelopment opportunity in Newark —“N.J. looks to expand drug, mental health treatment for people accused of crimes” —“NJ group homes have a staffing crisis. Can cameras and 'remote care' fill the gaps?” —“Why does a NJ assemblyman want to be Brick mayor instead?” —“O’Toole re-elected Port Authority chairman” —“Port Authority cops will get body cameras under new labor contract” | | BIDEN TIME | |
—“Bipartisan caucus renews push in new Congress to lift SALT deduction cap for homeowners”
—“Celia Cruz quarter will honor New Jersey's 'Queen of Salsa'” —“Murphy leads Democratic governors in 2022 victory lap, says ‘playbook’ should work in 2024” | | | | A message from AARP:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
DWUMFOUR MURDER — “Eunice Dwumfour was killed in Sayreville a week ago. Why have authorities remained quiet?” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp and Ken Serrano: A week after the brutal killing of a Republican council member stunned this community and became national news, authorities have yet to offer many details about the case or even hold a news conference. About all they have revealed is that Sayreville Borough Council member Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was shot to death outside of her home on Feb. 1 … That has some residents concerned. “People need to be informed,” said Marty Sica, who lives in the Parlin section of the borough, where the killing occurred. While some experts side with Sica, some don’t … ‘There is a lot of public interest in this case. Ms. Dwumfour was a public official representing the citizens of Sayreville,’ said Rod Hicks, director of ethics and diversity for the Society of Professional Journalists. ‘They have a right to know what happened to their elected official.’ … “I am going to guess that they are worried about tipping off the perpetrator or perpetrators,” said Brian Higgins, the former director of Public Safety for Bergen County and a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “It is for the protection of the investigation. If there is information that can save lives they would put it out. The integrity of the investigation would trump that, if the information is not going to save lives they are making a decision to protect it.”
—“'Making her place in our history': Sayreville councilwoman remembered for service, faith” R.I.P. — “Killing of N.J. councilman at PSE&G facility ‘not politically connected,’ authorities say,” by NJ Advance Media Jeff Goldman: “The killing of a 51-year-old PSE&G employee who also served as a borough councilman in a small town in western Hunterdon County was “not politically connected,” authorities said Thursday. Russell D. Heller was shot and killed Wednesday by a former co-worker in the parking lot of a PSE&G building off Weston Canal Road in Franklin at about 7 a.m., the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said. The gunman — Gary T. Curtis — later took his own life in the parking lot of TD Bank Ballpark in neighboring Bridgewater.” —“Small N.J. borough wracked by killing of local councilman” GLEN OR GLENDA RIDGE — “Glen Ridge Library won't ban LGBTQ books as a thousand people show up in opposition,” by The Record’s Julia Martin: “The way the throngs streamed into the Ridgewood Avenue Middle School on Tuesday night, jockeying for position to get to a speaker signup sheet in the lobby, you would have thought Beyoncé herself was signing autographs. The event, a meeting of library trustees, sounds far more quotidian. But to the roughly thousand people who packed the auditorium and the many who spoke passionately against a proposed ban on six books for young adults that touch on issues of gender nonconformity, the event held enormous significance. Speakers included local clergy, parents and students and members of library groups and advocacy groups for LGBTQ+ youth. Jane Clementi, mother of Tyler Clementi − who jumped to his death after his roommate at Rutgers circulated a webcam of him kissing a male student − spoke, along with NJ State Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake. George Johnson, the author of ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue,’ one of the books in question, prepared a statement that was read by his mother and aunt. The other books included ‘Here and Queer,’ ‘It's Not The Stork,’ ‘It's Perfectly Normal,’ ‘This Book is Gay,’ and ‘You Know, Sex.’” | | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | |
ULTIMATELY, IT WAS FRISBY — “Fractured vote for Trenton council prez job continues dysfunction,” by The Trentonian’s L.A. Parker: “West Ward Councilwoman Teska Frisby became president of City Council with a 4-3 decision and the three council members who voted for East Ward Councilman Joe Harrison (himself, North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams and South Ward Jenna Figueroa Kettenberg), self-identified as champions of collaboration, instead opted for collusion. Of course, Harrison had earned quid pro quo by supporting the campaigns of Figueroa Kettenberg and Williams … In the end, despite knowing that the East Ward representative did not have the political influence to secure the coveted position, Williams, Figueroa Kettenberg and Harrison refused to get behind Frisby.”
E-RAS-ING HISTORY — “Newark’s Amiri Baraka stripped from AP African Studies course,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Frank Scandale: “Famed Newark poet Amiri Baraka was one of the major forces in the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 70s. So it made sense that Baraka was included in an initial draft of the College Board’s Course Framework for Advance Placement African American Studies issued last year. But when the final version of the framework was released last week, Baraka was among the black activists excised from the document. What happened between the first iteration of the AP African American Studies framework and the final version that led to the late poet's ouster is largely unknown. But what is clear is the backlash from Newark, including by his son, Mayor Ras Baraka. ‘My initial reaction is the country is being pushed backwards,’ Mayor Baraka said.” TIRED: COFFIN. WIRED: COUGHIN’ — “North Jersey entrepreneur to open weed dispensary at site of longtime funeral home,” by The Record’s Phil DeVencentis: “An entrepreneur from Bergen County is under contract to buy the decades-old funeral home on Belmont Avenue with a plan to open a cannabis dispensary there in a matter of months. Molly Ann Farms, a name borrowed from the brook flowing south of the 1.1-acre site, near the corner of Henry Street, could begin selling marijuana products as early as June.” 36 BONG CHAMBERS — “Wu-Tang Clan rapper to open cannabis lounge in N.J.,” by NJ Advance Media’s Christopher Burch: “A cannabis lounge helmed by a member of the famed rap group Wu-Tang Clan is set to come to New Jersey. The lounge — Hashtoria — will open at 799-805 Broad St. in Newark’s Four Corners Historic District … Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon — also known as Raekwon The Chef — co-founded the Hashtoria brand collective.” —“Referee at center of Buena high school wrestler haircut controversy loses another lawsuit” —“Collingswood High students walk out for a second day of protest over allegations of racism” —“Paterson teacher who survived baseball bat attack by student may get $350K settlement” —“Long Beach cop retired 2 days before he was charged with stealing $67K from PBA” —“Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen community restaurant coming to NJCU campus in Jersey City” —“Jury finds [Perth Amboy] was negligent when firefighter repeatedly sexually assaulted boy” —“Portside Towers advocates again dominate Jersey City Council meeting over rent increases” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NURSING HOMES — “Nursing home residents were pushed to sign over their money to a guy they never met, lawyers say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Future Care calls itself a healthcare management company that provides financial and accounting services for nursing homes … But [Shmuel “Sam”] Stern and Future Care do not just take in federal assistance checks for nursing homes. He has sought at times to take control of the savings, the assets, and ultimately the lives of nursing home residents, ostensibly to pay off the debt for their care, according to court records and attorneys representing some of those residents. Federal records show that Stern also serves or has served as a financial officer in some of those same nursing homes that benefitted from any additional collection of money from residents.”
GEORGE SANTOS HOOKED THEM UP — “N.J. hospital’s $1.8B redesign would be a massive upgrade. But where’s the $ coming from?” by NJ Advance Media’s Spencer Kent: “The massive overhaul of New Jersey’s sole public hospital could take 10 years and cost $1.8 billion — an expenditure that remains largely unfunded, officials say. A new conceptual plan was unveiled at a recent University Hospital board of directors meeting. Created by the global architecture firm Gensler, the master plan draft envisions a sprawling campus enclosed by modern glass walls and open spaces filled with trees and gardens. The current Newark facility has been in disrepair for years. Its buildings have been prone to flooding, and the emergency room is bursting at the seams, receiving more than 90,000 patients a year when it was designed for 60,000.” | | | | A message from AARP: Every day, thousands of people in New Jersey care for their spouses, aging parents, or other loved ones – helping them live at home instead of costly nursing homes. This saves New Jersey – and taxpayers – money since nursing home care is mostly paid for by the state, through Medicaid; yet, family caregivers pay out of their own pockets. The average family caregiver spends 26% of their income on caregiving activities, assisting with everything from bathing and dressing to medical appointments and transportation – often while juggling a job too. With inflation making everything more expensive, too many families are struggling to make it all work. That’s why we need state legislators to make family caregiving more affordable in New Jersey. The Caregiver’s Assistance Act (A1802/S2021) would provide a modest tax credit for families who take on caregiving expenses. It’s crucial financial relief that family caregivers have earned. Tell state lawmakers, support (A1802/S2021). | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
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