| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Monday morning! Fresh from failing to get congressional and Senate candidates to agree to a compromise where they would share the Burlington County Democratic line in the primary, state Sen. Troy Singleton is joining the “burn it all down” crowd. Singleton, who is probably the most influential person in Burlington County politics, became the latest and perhaps most high profile New Jersey politician who’s not currently running for something to call for ditching the county line — that tool New Jersey’s Democratic and Republican leaders have for decades counted on to give their organizations a leg up in the primary process. “At some point we should just have everybody ... in one block all across the state,” Singleton said at the county’s Democratic convention, according to POLITICO’s Katherine Dailey, just before the county’s native son Andy Kim buried Tammy Murphy there. Burlington, unlike many of New Jersey’s most Democratic counties, actually awards it democratically. At the Hunterdon Democratic convention a day later, the crowd shouted down a proposal by Chair Arlene Perez to share the line with any candidate that got 30 percent. Kim supporters clearly saw it as an attempt to neuter the power of the line where their candidate was likely to actually win in a secret ballot. That would have allowed Murphy to continue to take advantage of the line in the counties where it’s practically awarded by fiat. Kim won Hunterdon, too. And wouldn’t you know it? Murphy got 33 percent there. (If the Murphy campaign had anything to do with the line-sharing suggestion, it indicates the campaign has gotten better at counting votes since their loss in Monmouth.) Progressive activists have long hated the line. There’s a lawsuit challenging the line that’s moving slower than the glaciers that shaped much of New Jersey’s topography, and there’s legislation to end it taken up by state Sen. Shirley Turner. But Kim’s campaign, and Murphy’s attempt to win by the brute force of the county line, has stirred the most intense backlash to the system at least since I started covering New Jersey politics in 2007. That might in part because in the three contests so far where candidates get an actual fair shot at the line, Andy Kim has easily won it. And so when counties like Passaic award it through a private, closed process, the will of the bosses vs. the rank and file is on clearer display. But if Kim continues to win every small-d democratic contest, you’ve got to wonder if all the party power brokers can continue to defy the base’s mood. On to Bergen County. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Don’t call me madame ‘cuz you’ll get a punch in the face if we were in public!” — Kearny Deputy Mayor Melanie Ryan to Ward 1 Councilmember George Zapata. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — AnneMarie Devito, Paul Fishman, Quinton Law, Taneshia Nash Laird, Jason Springer. WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Somerset to deliver remarks on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. | | | | A message from Amazon: After starting her small business, Nadia turned to Fulfillment by Amazon to help with shipping. “Shipping can be complicated, Amazon makes it easy,” she said. Fulfillment by Amazon costs 70% less on average than comparable two-day shipping options. Amazon invests billions of dollars in people, resources, and tools that support our selling partners at every stage of the process, from advertising to shipping. Learn how Amazon innovates for sellers. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
BUT I’M A CREEP. I’M A YOUTUBER — “‘Creepy’ YouTuber preys on young women getting DWIs, N.J. cops say. It’s legal for now,’ by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “The videos, culled from police body cameras … feature, almost exclusively, women accused of drunken driving, shoplifting and other offenses … Some are in various states of undress … Many come from New Jersey, where police leaders say anonymous requestors are using the state’s Open Public Records Act … to exploit young women accused of minor crimes for profit. ‘It was never the intent of OPRA to create such a platform that preys on young women and takes advantage of them at a time when they are vulnerable,’ said Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano … There’s nothing illegal about posting videos obtained through a records request online … A bill introduced by state Sen. Anthony Bucco would prohibit publishing body camera footage ‘without the prior written consent of each subject’ unless it was ‘for a legitimate public health or safety purpose or a compelling public interest.’ …
CJ Griffin, an attorney who regularly represents news media and local activists in public records fights, said the measure was ‘grossly overbroad’ and would effectively ‘criminalize’ the sharing of videos long considered public records, opening individuals and media organizations up to lawsuits or prosecution.” —“The big property tax promise: Seniors in N.J. were promised a big property tax break. Will it happen?” —“ACLU starts clemency project in New Jersey to fight unjust prison terms” —“Some parents furious over plan to allow 14-year-olds to seek mental health counseling” | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, the newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world, including WEF in Davos, Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to UNGA in NYC and many more. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
BURLINGTON SENATOR FACTORY — Andy Kim wins another county Democratic endorsement in blowout over NJ first lady Murphy, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han and Katherine Dailey: Rep. Andy Kim on Saturday won his home county convention for the Democratic Senate nomination in a blowout, adding to his momentum against New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. At the Burlington County Democratic committee vote that determines whether he will receive favorable ballot positioning — a unique and important factor in New Jersey — Kim secured overwhelming support, in a vote of 245-21, according to preliminary numbers from multiple sources and the Kim campaign. Burlington County Democratic Chair Joe Andl told reporters that he didn’t want to disclose the numbers “out of respect for everybody in the contest.” … “I will tell you I’m really proud of that number I’m getting for me to be able to receive over 90 percent of the vote in this county. That’s a big number,” Kim told reporters after it was announced he won.
—“Conaway wins Burlington Democratic convention in race for Congress” MAKE NJ GULLIBLE AGAIN — “Andy Kim a Trump supporter? That's what Tammy Murphy wants you to think,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “Tammy Murphy, New Jersey first lady-turned-U.S. Senate candidate, hinted during a debate Sunday night at a line of attack that voters will likely see in the increasingly bitter fight for the Democratic nomination. Her opponent, Rep. Andy Kim, she suggested, is a Trojan horse of Donald Trump’s agenda. She is making the case that Kim ― photographed collecting the debris left behind by the Jan. 6 ransacking of the U.S. Capitol ― is somehow aligned with [Trump]. ‘Donald Trump is a real problem, and people who work with Donald Trump are also a problem,’ she said in their first online debate, sponsored by the New Jersey Globe, on Feb. 18. Murphy’s opposition research team has scrubbed the Kim voting record to find several procedural votes that, they argued, bolstered the Trump-MAGA agenda … But a closer look at some of those votes, and the context in which they were cast, reveals them as run-of-the-mill campaign distortions, teed up for the likely negative attack ads to come from the Murphy campaign.” WALKING ON BROKEN GLASSNER — Republican Curtis Bashaw won Atlantic County’s party convention on Saturday, earning him the organizational line there in the June primary. The hotelier from Cape May won 953 votes compared to former television reporter Alex Zdan’s 265, according to Bashaw’s campaign. Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner did not participate. “Apparently, she doesn’t care about South Jersey or the Atlantic County Republican Committee members who gave up their Saturday morning to exercise their important responsibility to vote for candidates to represent our Republican Party,” Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo said in a statement. Serrano Glassner’s campaign said that “Atlantic County GOP committee voters may have been pressured to hold their noses for Curtis Bashaw but conservative voters won’t be so forgiving in the primary. Our campaign fully intends to win Atlantic County and expose Bashaw’s long record of supporting democrats and opposing Donald Trump.” Serrano Glassner has won the conventions in Hunterdon, Morris and Union counties, meaning she will get the so-called line on ballots there that gives candidates a large advantage. Two more Republican county conventions are this week. — Dustin Racioppi —“Back from Munich, Sherrill makes urgent case for Ukraine aid” —Mulshine: “Will Tammy Murphy help the Republicans finally win a seat in the U.S. Senate?” | | | | A message from Amazon:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
MCGREEVEY STOMPS ON POMPIDOO — “McGreevey calls for Jersey City to ditch Pompidou project, citing it as an ‘unnecessary cost’,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “Pompidou? More like Pompidon’t. That’s what former Gov. Jim McGreevey has declared in calling for the termination of plans to bring the world-renowned Parisian museum to Jersey City, calling it an ‘unnecessary cost’ to the city. McGreevey, who’s seeking to become the next Jersey City mayor in 2025, said the city has ‘greater and more pressing concerns” than creating the museum — such as stabilizing property taxes and rent, expansion of recreational facilities and fixing the city’s schools. ‘The significant funds required for the Pompidou Museum in Jersey City will be better used to address financial liabilities, which the city must urgently address,’ McGreevey said in a statement. 'We must live within our means.’”
LEAVINGS FROM ASBURY PARK — “Asbury Park superintendent placed on immediate leave by school board,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “The superintendent of the Asbury Park School District was placed on administrative leave Thursday by the school board. The district has not commented on why RaShawn M. Adams, who was appointed superintendent in the fall 2021, was placed on leave. Mark Gerbino, a district administrator, was named acting superintendent, effective immediately, according to the district website … The school board’s decision was welcomed by members of the Asbury Park Education Association … In the two years since his appointment, Adams has faced criticism from the teachers’ union. His recommendation to eliminate 28 district employees and withhold salary increases in April 2022 was condemned by union officials.” WE MUST PARK BOTH BOATS AND CARS IN THE CENTER OF THE DENSEST PART OF THE COUNTRY —“Marina tenants a little salty over Liberty State Park makeover plan that would cost them parking spaces,” by NJ Advance Media’s Mark Koosau: “Boat owners and the operator of a marina at the north end of Liberty State Park are upset with the state’s plan to tear up a large parking lot to build three athletic fields as part of the major overhaul of the state park on the Hudson River waterfront. The proposal — a football field, soccer pitch and little league baseball field between the Maritime Parc restaurant and the boatyard — would replace the “great lawn” and a long, narrow, private 330-space parking lot that runs along the entire length of the marina, making it easy for boaters to carry supplies to and from their vessels ... Daugherty, whose club includes approximately 120 members at the marina, said that along with the loss of access for boaters, the fields would also make access for emergency vehicles difficult and cause traffic congestion during sporting events.” IT'S OFFICIAL AND LEGAL BECAUSE THE CLERK SAID 'HEREBY' — “Newark resident sues city over ban from council meetings,” by TAPIntoNewark’s Matt Kadosh: “A resident banned from attending two City Council meetings after she interrupted a prior session is suing the municipal government. Munirah El-Bomani filed an injunction in Superior Court ... requesting her access to City Hall be restored. It is not the first time members of the public have been banned from public meetings, El-Bomani said. ‘I spoke about the corrupted business administrator, fire chief and administration and got banned for two council meetings,’ El-Bomani said … In her letter to El-Bomani, City Clerk Kecia Daniels states that the resident is ‘hereby excluded’ from the Feb. 21 and Feb. 27 meetings because of her actions at the Feb. 7 meeting, during which she interrupted Business Administrator Eric Penningto … John Paff, chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party’s Open Government Project, said he has never heard of a governing body preemptively banning people from public meetings. 'The way that I look at it is, if she has a statutory right enshrined in state law and has a right to attend and participate, how can that be taken away from her without any due process?’" BRIDGE(OVERTROUBLED)WATER — “N.J. town settles with family of Black teen handcuffed after mall fight,” by NJ Advance Media’s Deion Johnson: “The family of a Black teenager who was involved in a fight at a New Jersey mall that gained national attention thanks to a viral video of the police response, has settled with the municipality. At a press conference this week, the family did not disclose the amount it received from Bridgewater Township. Court documents show the sum, a little over $150,000, with the family set to receive about $113,000 after attorney fees.” —“McGreevey: Jersey City cannot afford the Pompidou Museum | Opinion” —“Paterson cop who pleaded guilty to two assaults on civilians is fired” —“Ex-business administrator of [Bradley Beach] sues, accusing councilman of harassment” —“Video by constitutional activist featuring Franklin Lakes police at library goes viral” —“Asbury Park Convention Hall saved from ruin? NJ giving $20M from boardwalk fund” —“Iconic N.J. Sears tower eerily empty amid legal showdown over art deco building” | | | | Don’t sleep on it. Get breaking New York policy from POLITICO Pro—the platform that never sleeps—and use our Legislative Tracker to see what’s on the Albany agenda. Learn more. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
WHEN YOU FORGET TO LOAN MENENDEZ YOUR PRIVATE JET — “Paramus vets home doctor pays $700K to settle fraud claim with government,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “The former medical director of the Paramus Veterans Home — where nearly 100 residents died from COVID-19 in one of the worst nursing home disasters in New Jersey history — has agreed to pay the government $693,490 plus interest to settle allegations of fraud under an agreement announced Thursday. Dr. Arun Sehgal and his Ramsey-based practice Preventive & Diagnostic Medical Center P.A. had been accused of billing for more expensive procedures than provided, billing for more services than he could provide in one day and billing for services that were never provided, including when he was traveling, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The allegations in the settlement agreement did not specify whether Dr. Sehgal fraudulently billed for his care of Paramus home veterans, whether it was from other parts of his practice or both.”
UNGRATEFUL TO BE SURROUNDED BY BEAVER— “Busy beavers gnawing away at New Jersey man’s patience, one tree at a time,” by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jason Nark: “‘Arrogant’ and ‘selfish’ beavers are gnawing away at Chris Ritter’s peace of mind. While North America’s largest rodent is generally considered to be one of earth’s master architects, building whole aquatic ecosystems from felled trees, the beaver is the destroyer of Ritter’s world, particularly the swampy backyard beyond his pool and hot tub in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens … Beaver ponds can improve water quality, biologists say, along with providing ecosystems for frogs, fish, turtles, and waterfowl. In the Pinelands, they can act as buffers against wildfires that sweep through the forests in summer … Ritter, 53, said there’s a downside to that, noting that flooded land and felled trees displace deer, mice, racoons, and countless other animals and insects, including rare birds and snakes. He reiterated that in a recent Pinelands-related Facebook group post that generated hundreds of comments, in which he called beavers ‘selfish’ animals that ‘can’t live with others.’” FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE IT SERVES LATTES — “Starbucks opens drive-thru in the former space of N.J.’s Bergen Record,” by NJ Advance Media’s Christopher Burch: “Starbucks recently opened a New Jersey location in the former space of a Garden State newspaper’s office. The coffee giant opened a spot in Hackensack at 110 River St., at the Print House on Feb. 11. The Print House, which occupies the former space of The Bergen Record’s offices for almost 60 years, includes luxury apartments, restaurants and medical offices.” —“Netflix plan to build massive N.J. studio gets key approval” —“Ricardo the NJ Transit bull plushy nets $10,000 for Skylands Animal Sanctuary” | | | | A message from Amazon: Fulfillment by Amazon connects local businesses with customers across the country, including Dumpling Daughter, a local business now shipping nationally.
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