| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by AARP | Good Monday morning! One of the saddest, strangest stories I’ve seen in a long time played out over the weekend at Central Regional School District, where a 14-year-old student, Adriana Kuch, killed herself days after being beaten in the school and having it recorded. That’s a huge wound for the girl’s family and entire community, where many of these kids will be affected for life. And the school district is facing a lot of heat from students and parents who say bullying is a big problem there. But in such raw time for the community, district superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides — well, now-former superintendent — fired off an email to a tabloid deflecting blame by publicly airing the girl’s alleged home life dirt, claiming she was in counseling for drugs and had suffered over an alleged affair by her father and her mother’s suicide. He immediately resigned. Much more news below, including some bonkers political news involving Sen. Sam Thompson. TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: - “[T]hank you, Councilwoman, for your work to destigmatize hit-and-run driving. You’re an example to all drivers across Hudson County.” — ”Will Knotstahp,” AKA Hudson County Clean Streets’ Matthew Graham, in a letter to The Jersey Journal WHERE’S MURPHY? Nothing public HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Caren Fitzpatrick, Stacie Sherman | | | | 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 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING —“Sam Thompson will switch parties and seek re-election to N.J. Senate as a Democrat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “State Sen. Samuel Thompson (R-Old Bridge), an 87-year-old conservative Republican facing a fierce primary challenge against Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry in his campaign for another four-year term, will switch parties and seek re-election to a fifth term as a Democrat in a heavily-Republican district. Thompson, who was a Donald Trump delegate in 2016 and 2020, confirmed that he would make his announcement on Monday. ‘I don’t feel I am leaving my party,’ Thompson said. ‘I feel my party leadership has abandoned me.’ Some political observers think Thompson has a better chance of winning a general election as a Democrat if he can bring some Republicans with him in November … It is anticipated that Republican leaders in Middlesex, Ocean, and Burlington will back Henry. Thompson had slammed Republicans for pushing him out based on age, saying that his cognitive and physical health remain strong.”
NO COMMONS GROUND — “NJ attorney general, Bridgewater mayor trade barbs over probe of cops' mall fight response,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: “State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has expressed frustration that Bridgewater Township has taken an ‘an inordinate length of time’ to review and release a report into the police response to an altercation between two juveniles at the Bridgewater Commons mall one year ago which drew a global response after a video went viral. Platkin, in a statement Friday, said that any further delay in releasing the report ‘frays the fragile trust between the public and the law enforcement community.’ … In a statement a short time later, Bridgewater Mayor Matt Moench said he found Platkin's statement ‘quite perplexing’ and said the township had been ‘stonewalled’ by the Attorney General’s Office SMOKING AND THE ONE-ARMED BANDIT — “Banning smoking in Atlantic City casinos finally gets public hearing Monday after years of inaction,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “After years of lobbying but little action, a proposed law that would completely ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos will get a spotlight in Trenton on Monday. State lawmakers will hold the first public hearing on the bipartisan bill, which would close a 17-year loophole that has allowed casinos to have smoking sections even after the Garden State banned smoking in most indoor spaces in 2006. It would also bar smoking in simulcast facilities. There won’t be a vote on the proposal at the 1 p.m. hearing hosted by the state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Instead, the event will be ‘discussion only,’ said Sen. Joe Vitale, D-Middlesex, the panel’s chairman and the measure’s main sponsor.” OSTRUM ON THE ROSTRUM — “Ostrum says he’ll take on durr in GOP Senate primary,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Salem County Commissioner Mickey Ostrum has decided to challenge State Sen. Edward Durr (R-Logan) in the Republican primary. “We’re going forward. It’s still in the early stages,” Ostrum told the New Jersey Globe. “I want to talk about my qualifications and experience. I want to do the best for our constituents.” Ostrum is likely to run with Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer (R-Woolwich) and former Harrison Township Committeeman Adam Wingate. Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (R-Mannington) is expected to run with Durr.” IS HE A MCCAPABLE BOSS? — “Boogeyman politics or heads-up baseball: the long game of McCabe,” by InsiderNJ’s Max Pizarro: “Since the regional shriveling up of George Norcross and the essential demise of the South Jersey Democratic Machine (yes, they still have Camden, but it’s not the southern suburban juggernaut it was once), New Jersey has cast around for its next eagle-crested, muscle-bound pharaoh. At this moment in time, politics watchers see Kevin McCabe, chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee, trying to inflate himself into roughly the same shape as that Macy’s Day Parade flotation symbiosis of Chris Christie and Norcross: simultaneously sinister, menacing, and prominently featured at every public function. The subject elicits back chatter, pro and con, on the subject.” | | | | 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. | | | | |
WHAT CHRISTIE MIGHT DESCRIBE AS ‘BLOOD MONEY’ — “Data from New Jersey is a warning sign for young sports bettors,” by Lia Nower for New Jersey Monitor: “The Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, which I direct, conducts those annual evaluations using data from all sports bets placed in New Jersey since 2018. Our findings suggest that the nation’s love affair with sports betting may be having unintended consequences. In a forthcoming statewide gambling prevalence study, we found that those wagering on sports in New Jersey were more likely than others who gamble to have high rates of problem gambling and problems with drugs or alcohol, and to experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Most alarming, findings suggest that about 14% of sports bettors reported thoughts of suicide, and 10% said they had made a suicide attempt. A small group of bettors seem to be most at risk. About 5% of all sports bettors placed nearly half of all bets and spent nearly 70% of the money. That means the people losing the most money are the most essential to operator profits.”
THE FORMER GOLDMAN SACHS EXECUTIVE? YOU DON’T SAY — Gov. Phil Murphy described himself as a “proud progressive” and a “cold-blooded capitalist” on national television Sunday. In the past, Murphy has used similar formulations, like “unapologetic capitalist,” but apparently not called himself “cold-blooded.” The show’s host, Chuck Todd, gave Murphy a chance to address how the one description might sound to progressives. “I don't know,” the governor said. “But — I don't mean this literally — but I kind of don't care. That's who I am.” Murphy appeared on the show with Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who suggested a Republican governor would make a good next president. Murphy is the current chair of the National Governors Association, Cox the vice chair. For his part, Murphy, who has been backing President Joe Biden for a second term, did suggest that one Republican governor run for president: “Spencer Cox.” — Ry Rivard CARTOON BREAK — “Governor Murphy is riding in style,” by Drew Sheneman —Coughlin's SDA overhaul bill clears first committee —“Thompson misses filing deadline, will not compete for Monmouth GOP organization line” —“Gov. Murphy says casinos to pay 'fair share' as state appeals court rulings in 2 PILOT lawsuits” | | BIDEN TIME | |
SURE — “Democratic governors eye red-state victories,” by The Washington Post’s Theodoric Meyer and Leigh Ann Caldwell: “The Early: Democrats won tough governor’s races last year in Arizona, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and elsewhere. How do they win in much redder territory this year? Murphy: We’ve got three what would appear to be away games for us: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi. Job No. 1 is to defend and reelect Andy Beshear in Kentucky. John Bel Edwards in Louisiana is likewise a great governor — really one of our best — but he’s term-limited. So we’ve got to figure out who’s going to step into his shoes, and then how do we win in Louisiana? And I think Mississippi is the sleeper. You’ve got a very unpopular governor who’s left a lot of the state behind, whether it’s water in Jackson or not expanding health or other services for folks who need it the most. And we’ve got a really credible, popular, high-name-recognition candidate in Brandon Presley, who happens to be Elvis’s cousin. He’s been elected statewide. [Ed.: Murphy misspoke. While Presley has been elected four times to the Mississippi Public Service Commission, he hasn’t been elected to a statewide office.] He’s a former mayor.”
—“Congressman battling lymphoma thanks rock, TV legend Steven Van Zandt for headband gift” —Mulshine: “Republicans are getting it wrong on ending public officials’ immunity from lawsuits” —“Auto thefts are a big Jersey problem.[Sherrill] has plan to combat them” | | | | A message from AARP:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
AS&S — “Ocean Township vote recount indicates wrong candidate was seated on school board,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen: “A recount of votes conducted in Ocean Township’s Board of Education race indicates that the wrong candidate was sworn into office due to a software error, according to a statement released on Friday night from Monmouth County election officials. In the Ocean Township school board race last November, the results indicated that Steve Clayton, a former board member, defeated incumbent Jeffrey Weinstein by a count of 3,523 to 3,503. Following the court-ordered recount, it was Weinstein who actually won. He received 3,408 votes and Clayton received 3,404 votes — a difference of four votes between them, according to the new results posted by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office on Friday … ES&S is one of four software companies certified by the state of New Jersey for use in elections, and one of the top election software companies in the United States”
DWUMFOUR — “Investigation into slain Sayreville council member shifts to her Newark church,” by News 12: “News 12 New Jersey has learned that investigators are now focusing on the Newark church that Eunice Dwumfour attended along with Sayreville Council President Christian Onuoha … Dwumfour was heavily involved in Champions Royal Assembly in Newark - a branch of a charismatic Christian ministry that's based in Nigeria. She was known there as Pastor Eunice. Members of the church have had their modems and phones scrutinized by investigators, according to Onuoha., Dwumfour's running mate. Both Onohua and Dwumfour were listed as officers or agents on corporate paperwork for Champions Royal Assembly. Onohua says the car Dwumfour was driving the night she was killed was a gift from a parishioner and was registered to a deacon at the church.” —“Eunice Dwumfour was devoted to Champions Royal Assembly. What do they believe?” by The Asbury Park Press Michael L. Diamond: “Dressed impeccably, Dwumfour, known as Pastor Eunice D., told members during one 2017 sermon that giving fell into the category of reaping what you sow. She urged them not to give grudgingly; their contributions would come back to them. And she reminded them of the passage from the Book of 2 Corinthians that God loves cheerful givers. ‘You're not giving to (the church leader),’ she said. ‘You're giving to the spirit that is backing him. And what does that spirit do? Works to your advantage.’ … The church, observers said, has its roots in Pentecostalism and the prosperity gospel − the idea that God wants you to be wealthy. ‘They are churches that focus on health, the healing of your body, and wealth, that God wants you to be rich,’ said David D. Daniels, a professor at the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.” | | | | 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. | | | | |
COUNCILMEMBER KILLINGS — “The killings of 2 council members has N.J. asking: ‘What the hell is going on?’” by NJ Advance Media: “The killings this month of Eunice Dwumfour — a 30-year-old Sayreville mother and political novice apparently on her way to church — and Russell Heller — a funny, 51-year-old family man from rural Milford — have sent shockwaves across New Jersey … Not a single council member had been murdered in New Jersey in more than 30 years. Then it happened twice in a week. “We’re in shock. Disbelief. Trying to rationalize and understand something that makes no sense and never will,” Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said Wednesday after Dwumfour’s memorial service. A disquieting pall hangs over Sayreville and Milford. And a disturbing thread runs through the grieving communities on opposite ends of the state: Why?”
ADRIANA KUCH — “4 teens charged for recorded attack of N.J. 14-year-old who later died by suicide,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Stanmyre: “Four students have been charged after a recorded attack against a 14-year-old New Jersey student in the hallway of her school spread on social media in the days before her family says she took her own life, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Saturday. One juvenile was charged with aggravated assault, two were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and one was charged with harassment. All four juveniles and their guardians were given copies of the complaints and they were released pending future court appearances, Billhimer said. Adriana Olivia Kuch killed herself on Feb. 3, days after a video of her being attacked by four classmates spread around Central Regional High School in Bayville, her father, Michael Kuch, told NJ Advance Media.” MUSICAL CHAIRS — “Two people for one seat: How this Bergen County town botched filling a council vacancy,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “Two people were sworn in for one vacant Palisades Park council seat, leaving a divided council waiting for a judge to make a ruling next week on who acted correctly. The unprecedented move resulted from in-house fighting in the new year over quorums, canceled meeting dates and interpretations of state law. Questions and arguments center on whether a Jan. 31 meeting was properly advertised, whether there was a legal quorum for the meeting that did occur, and the legal timelines for who is allowed to make the decision on the vacant seat: the Democratic County Committee or the majority of the council.” IN MY DAY WE HAD TO DRAW INAPPROPRIATE IMAGES ON TRANSPARENCY SHEETS AND PUT THEM ON THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR— “Paramus HS investigating 'inappropriate images' projected on screen during class,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko and Darren Cooper: “School district officials in Paramus were forced to send a letter to parents after a teacher was caught looking at inappropriate pictures during class on Thursday. Superintendent Sean Adams said in a letter that was distributed to the school community that late Thursday afternoon he found out that in a classroom at the high school ‘inappropriate images were projected from an employee’s laptop onto a screen at the front of the room.’” —“Clifton council removes two from zoning board for failure to take state-mandated class” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
—“CentraState hack stole data from 617,000, including some Social Security numbers”
—“Here's how you can help tell the truth about New Jersey’s slave history | Opinion” —“Professors file complaint against [Bloomfield College] preparing to merge with [Montclair State University]” —“Popular N.J. Italian restaurant bans children under 10 years old” | | | | 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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