| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Monday morning! If you predicted that a little person dressed in a leprechaun costume riding a tricycle would be part of a New Jersey politics story this year, please claim your prize: A free subscription to New Jersey Playbook. This came up (sort of) while I was writing about the 4th District state Senate primary between Gloucester County Commissioner Nicholas DeSilvio and former Washington Township Councilmember Chris Del Borrello. “The Del Borrello team is led by a shady business owner with a history of renting out strippers and backed by Trenton political insiders,” read a joint statement from DeSilvio and his running mates after I first reached out to his campaign. Ttat’s not really accurate. Chris Del Borrello says he never owned “Tasteful Temptations,” which is now defunct. But his brother Peter — a current Washington Township councilmember and CEO of the Del Borrello group, for which Chris is chief compliance officer, did for a while. And the businesses shared a Philadelphia address. This is a family-friendly newsletter, so I won’t quote Tasteful Temptation’s ad in full. But you can read it here. Other than traditional strippers for bachelor parties, who could get as tame or "hardcore" as the customers wanted — the agency’s talent pool included a little person who would ride a tricycle while dressed as a leprechaun — what I can only assume is an homage to the 1993 horror classic “Leprechaun" I’m no puritan, but with so much of Republican politics these days focusing on sex, I can see how this might be a salient campaign issue. Even more so than the fact that the Del Borrello Group’s main business is check cashing, which is often a controversial kind of business — and another member of the family got in trouble relating to that. But I figured it would come up in the campaign whether I wrote about it or not, so it's best to get the facts straight first. Read my article about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY#1: “There's such division and there's such isolation." — Christian musician Sean Feucht ahead of an a nti-”woke” story hour in Cherry Hil l. QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “Teaching our children to love God and the Bible is part of true worship — sacred work not to be subcontracted out to those who hate God and abuse our children." — Former "Growing Pains" star Kirk Cameron promoting the same event. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Michael Testa, Bob Andrzejczak, Tim Stollery, Jay Butkowski, Jennifer Aydjian, John Saban, Thomas Segreto, Karl Weiskopf WHERE’S MURPHY? In Trenton at 4 p.m. for a Statehouse executive offices reopening ceremony
| | | | DON’T MISS THE POLITICO ENERGY SUMMIT: A new world energy order is emerging and America’s place in it is at a critical juncture. Join POLITICO on Thursday, May 18 for our first-ever energy summit to explore how the U.S. is positioning itself in a complicated energy future. We’ll explore progress on infrastructure and climate funding dedicated to building a renewable energy economy, Biden’s environmental justice proposals, and so much more. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | RUTGERS — “Rutgers and faculty unions agree on new contract language. Here's when a vote could happen,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Koruth: “Union leaders representing faculty members at Rutgers agreed on new contract language Friday with the University administration for a possible deal, with a vote to approve the agreement likely to occur on Sunday. That means the two sides, by approving language for a tentative contract, took the first step Friday to come to an agreement that would end 10 months of dragged out negotiations that resulted in a one-week faculty strike earlier this month that shut down nearly all classes on the state flagship university's three campuses. However, the union's executive council must still review that language and vote to approve it Sunday, followed by a full vote by union members, before a final contract is reached." A FORCED NO-SHOW JOB — Why a New Jersey employee didn’t work for over a year — and was still paid $80k, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: On July 13, 2021, a state Department of Health employee was scheduled for a work-required medical exam at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton to determine whether they were fit to continue working. The employee — referred to as J.M. in state records obtained by POLITICO — was put on paid leave pending a final decision. But repeated scheduling delays and a lack of responses from RWJUH Hamilton to the state left J.M. on paid leave as of Sept. 26, 2022, according to a DOH memo. As a result, the state was left paying more than $80,000 in salary for an employee that did not work for over a year, the memo said. The scenario is not unheard of. Internal state complaints obtained by POLITICO through records requests describe RWJUH Hamilton — which was contracted to do worker medical exams, testing and other services across multiple state agencies — as slow-moving on exams for DOH employees to determine whether they were fit to continue working, an issue cited as early as 2019. In many instances, the records said, RWJUH Hamilton outright ignored the state. DEVINE INTERVENTION — “Attorney General charges Jim Devine with election fraud after filing fake petitions in ’21 N.. governor’s race,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Controversial political consultant Jim Devine has been charged with three counts of voter fraud connected to filing fake nominating petitions to put his life partner, Lisa McCormick, on the ballot as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2021. … He faces more than eleven years in prison on one count of falsely filing nominating petitions, tampering with public records, both 3rd-degree offenses, and falsifying or tampering with records, a 4th-degree offense. … McCormick had filed to challenge Gov. Phil Murphy in the Democratic primary two years ago when an executive order during the COVID-19 pandemic permitted candidates to file nominating petitions with electronic signatures. The counsel to the Democratic State Committee, Raj Parikh, alleged that McCormick’s petition resulted from a mail merge of an outdated voter database. He produced multiple witnesses who testified that they never signed the petitions even though their names appeared as signatories.” —One question: Why didn’t prosecutors give the same kind of scrutiny to Kanye West’s obviously-forged presidential petition signatures in 2020? TODAY’S BETH SAWYER — “In ‘marquee’ Senate primary, two former allies compete for GOP nod,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “Sawyer also just thinks Ed Durr hasn’t done a good job. ‘He’s really good at talking like a conservative, but being an effective legislator is more than just talking. It’s also about action,’ Sawyer said. ‘He prides himself on being the lone wolf. That won’t get the job done, and he openly admits that he’s been blocked at the Senate. That’s going to be a huge negative impact on our district, especially getting money into the three counties where we desperately need it.’ Durr won’t dish back the trash-talking. ‘I subscribe to the 11th commandment — thou shall never speak ill of fellow Republicans,’ Durr said, citing a famed Ronald Reagan call for party unity. That’s why he doesn’t want to participate in a debate, which Sawyer has called for. ‘It would become an attack piece and I have a no-win situation,’ he said. ‘If I bash her, then I’m a guy beating up on a woman. If I don’t bash her, I’m a guy who’s weak.’” THE GOVERNOR’S NEW HAIR HAS BEEN QUITE THE DRAW — “N.J. tourism revenue expected to hit a record high this year,” by NJ Advance Media’s Derek Hall: “New Jersey’s tourism industry is expected to generate $47.9 billion in state revenue this year, even as the number of overnight visitors to the Garden State continues to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. That would amount to an increase of nearly 1% when compared with the pre-pandemic peak of $47.5 billion, according to an economic study from the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services … The numbers from OLS are slightly lower than estimates from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, which expects an uptick this year of $49 billion, according to New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way." —“Port Authority shatters passenger records, but earnings won’t erase $3B COVID loss” —“Bill proposes lowering age for children to seek mental health services without parental consent” —“Historic moment: Gov. Phil Murphy declares Muslim Heritage Month in New Jersey” —“[Reynolds-Jackson]: My nurse bolted because she feared my gardeners” —Nancy Munoz: “University Hospital is ailing and our promise to this community is crumbling” CARTOON BREAK — “State watchdogs are dropping like flies”
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SOURCES SAY THE TOP POTENTIAL CHALLENGERS ARE NAMED SUB PENNA AND P. ROSS ECUTER — “Republicans love to Hate Bob Menendez. Can they find anyone to run against him?” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “For years, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has been the guy New Jersey Republicans love to hate. Next year, they’re in luck: Menendez’s seat is up for election, giving them another chance to finally take the three-term senator down. Behind the scenes, however, state Republicans are not optimistic about the race. Few believe there’s a realistic path to victory, and no formidable candidates have even hinted at a potential campaign so far. The reasons why are fairly simple. New Jersey is a Democratic-leaning state that hasn’t elected a Republican senator since 1972. In a presidential year – when Joe Biden is near-certain to be carrying New Jersey by double digits – the math for a statewide Republican doesn’t check out, and anyone who runs is likely headed for a substantial loss.”
—“Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: “Democracy demands a fair and ethical court” | | LOCAL | |
EUNICE DWUMFOUR — “A cell phone overlooked, silence from prosecutors, in unsolved murder of Sayreville councilwoman,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson, Keith Sargeant and Ted Sherman: “John Wisniewski, a former member of the state Assembly retained to serve as their attorney, told NJ Advance Media he only learned recently that Dwumfour had another cell phone issued to her by the borough which had never been examined by detectives. The cell phone came to his attention after Sayreville’s business administrator asked about the device. He was able to track it down to a storage facility where her belongings had been taken after her apartment was cleaned out. It was found along with a laptop and a tablet in a storage unit, Wisniewski said. But since the phone had been in the townhouse the night of the murder, he questioned whether investigators had even visited the victim’s home after she was killed.”
—“A NJ pastor-politician is gunned down, and a community reels” PURGED FROM THE POLITBURO — “Montclair council votes to oust township manager,” by Montclair Local’s Craig Wolf: “Six months after a lawsuit accused Township Manager Timothy Stafford of creating a hostile work environment for women, the Montclair Township Council took a dramatic and rare step – voting to fire Stafford at a specially convened session on Friday morning, April 28. A chapter in Montclair's history that often fractured the council, inflamed public sentiment, and at times even fueled a self-examination of Montclair's values, ended with a 5-0 vote and with no open deliberations among council members. Mayor Sean Spiller and Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock were not on hand for the vote.” THE ONLY NEW YORK THAT MATTERS — “Murphy deploys to West New York for Sires,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Albio Sires doesn’t just want to win the May 9 mayoral election, he wants to make some personal history. ‘I want to have the biggest victory I ever had in this town,’ the long-time congressman turned mayoral candidate said at a spirited Saturday morning rally just outside Memorial High School, where he once starred on the basketball court. Phil Murphy was the main attraction. … Murphy said the town needs the ‘steely veteran presence’ Sires would bring. The governor warned that this is not the time for ‘untested leadership.’ He briefly led the sign-waving crowd in a chant of ‘Column B, Column B.’ Team Sires is running against a slate headed by mayoral candidate Cosmo Cirillo, who is now a city commissioner.” DOWN THE SHORE — “Planning a pop-up party? Shore mayors have a plan to stop you,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jenna Calderon: “If you're thinking of throwing a pop-up party on the Jersey Shore, local officials have a message for you: Don’t come here. After thousands descended on towns to revel at unsanctioned parties set up on social media, local officials are taking action to stop the parties before they begin. In places like Seaside Heights, Long Branch, Asbury Park and Point Pleasant Beach, social media is being monitored and legal action taken against the organizers, according to authorities. Seaside Heights - which was targeted for a party last year and again this year on May 5 and 6 and June 17 - contacted both local and state police after coming across their name being advertised in a pop-up party flyer about 10 days ago, according to Mayor Anthony Vaz.” I THOUGHT LODI LIKED MISFITS — “Lodi school board accepts superintendent's resignation, and crowd applauds,” by The Record’s Megan Burrow: “The Board of Education on Wednesday night accepted the resignation of an employee who was unnamed but widely known throughout the district to be Douglas Petty, the former schools superintendent who was arrested last year on an assault charge. … The decision was met with applause from the crowd of students, parents and teachers at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, where the meeting was held. Several board members joined the cheers with loud claps from the dais … Petty was arrested and charged with simple assault in August after allegedly punching a woman in Seaside Heights. … Petty was found guilty on April 11 in Seaside Heights Municipal Court of an amended public nuisance offense, court records show." JUST WHO ARE THE ‘SNOWFLAKES’? — “Dozens pack Westwood schools meeting to protest 'dangerous' comments on same-sex parents,” by The Record’s Stephanie Noda: “Dozens of local residents and teachers packed a five-hour meeting of the local school board Thursday night, rebuking board members who appeared to question the appropriateness of teaching about same-sex families. Almost 100 people attended the session at Westwood Regional High School. It followed a month after a meeting where some board members complained that a teacher in the K-12 district had deviated from curriculum standards by raising the ‘sensitive topic’ of LGBTQ parents. … The protest followed a March 20 meeting at which the board discussed an elementary school health class in which a teacher noted that some families may have two mothers or two fathers.” —“Bhalla vetoes Hoboken rent control amendments, MSTA vows to do referendum” —“[Secaucus] library employee fired after supervisor objected to his gay ‘lifestyle,’ complaint alleges” —“North Bergen election: Sacco seeks ninth term while Wainstein hopes third time is a charm” —“What if the road from Tuckerton to Atlantic City was built?” —“Want to cut down a tree in Newark? You may need a permit” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT NFT TICKETS FOR A FESTIVAL CALLED ‘BAMBOOZLE’ SURPRISED THEY WERE RIPPED OFF — “Bamboozle 2023 canceled. Here’s what to know about getting a refund,” by NJ Advance Media’s Karin Price Mueller and Bobby Olivier: “The popular multi-day festival’s anticipated comeback after a 10-year hiatus was put on ice amid fan complaints and demands for refunds, NJ Advance Media reported this week. In a statement released Friday, a spokesperson for Atlantic City, the festival’s planned location, said organizers would not receive final permits after organizers failed to meet paperwork deadlines. So how do you get that refund? Those who bought tickets through TIXR, Eventbrite and Ticketmaster have reported that they’re already starting to receive refunds from the sites. But those who were the first to buy tickets, which were sold as NFTs — short for non-fungible tokens — are wondering if they will ever get their money back.”
—“After student’s suicide, an elite school [The Lawrenceville School] says it fell ‘tragically short’”
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