| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Friday morning! I’m guessing that Andy Kim’s lawsuit against the county line is unlikely to succeed, at least before the election. It just seems unlikely that Judge Zahid Quraishi would overturn New Jersey’s decades-old balloting system less than two months before mail-in ballots are sent out. But the lawsuit — and really just Kim’s campaign — has done more to bring public attention to New Jersey’s balloting practice than anything in recent memory. Recently, we saw Troy Singleton come out against it, while Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop — who’s participated in the Hudson County line power brokering — is also offering to eschew it if other candidates do. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is also coming out against it. But perhaps even more interestingly, Kim’s campaign has brought the line to national attention. Yesterday someone sent me a screenshot from CNN of a reporter drawing a mock up New Jersey ballot with a marker to demonstrate the way the line works. The attention started before the lawsuit. “The weird gimmick that may decide New Jersey’s next senator,” read a Daily Beast headline about the line from November. This is a system that gives party-backed candidates a significant advantage. I do not believe the county line is akin to lying about vote fraud in order to overturn a free election. But if the Democratic Party’s national apparatus continues to portray the party as a guardian of democracy, will all this attention put pressure on it to come down on New Jersey Democrats’ less democratic practices? Eh, probably not. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We do not have competitive primaries. We in theory have them, but in practice we have party leaders who get behind closed doors and the nominee is presented to the public as a fait accompli. This is your candidate, love it or lump it … The fact that we’re actually having this primary is a sign something has gone awry.” — FDU pollster Dan Cassino HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Virginia Long, David Bailey, Jr., Saturday for Christian Hetrick. Sunday for Hadar Arazi. WHERE’S MURPHY? — Nothing on his public schedule. | | | | A message from Amazon: After starting StoveShelf in his apartment, Scott turned to Amazon tools to help his small business grow. “I love Seller Forums. The community is pretty awesome,” said Scott. More than 60% of sales in Amazon’s store come from independent sellers. That’s why Amazon provides tools and dedicated support to help selling partners, like StoveShelf grow. Learn how Amazon supports selling partners. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
DISCOVERY OBLIGATION FAILURE ZONE — “Chasing corruption: They’re on the hunt for crooked pols. But are they crossing a line?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Launched by then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal more than five years ago, the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, known as OPIA, was intended to chase corruption in a state all too familiar with crooked public officials. Lately, however, the office has come under fire. Defense attorneys have accused prosecutors of withholding major pieces of evidence required to be shared before trial. There have been claims of selective prosecution. Others, meanwhile, complain that the office has deliberately misled grand jurors, with one attorney seeking sanctions against the office. Several key cases have been the focus of court challenges and dismissals … Attorney Jeffery G. Garrigan, who represents one of the men charged, expressed his frustrations, complaining of ‘a shroud of secrecy’ when it comes to obtaining evidence required to be turned over by prosecutors. ‘It’s like pulling teeth,’ he said. ‘I’m in a constant battle with them.’ He called OPIA ‘an entity with a troubling history of discovery obligation failures.’”
STRONGER AND FAIRER — “In NJ, people with disabilities face ‘excruciatingly long’ wait for group home funding,” by The Record’s Gene Myers: “Even after a big boost in funding in recent years, thousands of New Jerseyans with disabilities are waiting seven to 10 years to access critical funding for group homes and other support. New Jersey's Community Care Program was designed to help disabled adults who require ‘institutional-level care’ to live as independently as possible … despite $1.4 billion pumped into the system by Gov. Phil Murphy over the last two years, demand for the help still far outstrips its resources. Almost 4,400 people with developmental disabilities are on New Jersey's waiting list for the Community Care Program, according to the latest figures … A report issued by the advocacy group Disability Rights New Jersey last fall highlighted one result of that lack of capacity: hundreds of people with developmental disabilities are placed in nursing homes without the proper care because they have no better options.” THERE WILL BE BLOOD SAMPLES — “Bill would force drivers to provide blood sample if suspected of driving high,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Cannabis experts are concerned about a lawmaker’s attempt to require motorists suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana to provide a blood sample to police. Critics of the recently introduced bill say it would not only give police more power that would likely be wielded disproportionately against people of color, but they also argue the testing methods called for in the bill don’t even work … Someone would be deemed under the influence of marijuana if they test positive for 3 nanograms or more of THC … New Jersey currently has no THC limit in place for drivers. There’s no proven way to test whether someone is high from marijuana at the moment. Unlike alcohol, which breaks down in someone’s bloodstream over hours, cannabis can remain in someone’s system for over 45 days” —“Island Beach State Park, other N.J. state parks to charge fees again under new budget” —“Gun permit costs would double in N.J. under Murphy’s budget plan” —“Rebuck stepping down as head of NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement” —“Modest revenue gains forecast for current fiscal year despite sluggish start” —“Gov. Phil Murphy expands his vision on AI in New Jersey: What comes next?” —“Tolls on these N.J. expressways increase Friday. Here’s how much more you’ll pay” | | | | 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 | |
HELPFUL HOCHUL — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is raising money for Tammy Murphy’s Senate campaign at a New York City fundraiser on March 6, according to an invitation. It’s $3,300 per head, and lucky for you it’s before congestion pricing hits.
—“Andy Kim versus Tammy Murphy: What comes next? Bergen's Democratic convention will be key” —“The convention that could make or break the N.J. Senate race is almost here” —“Judge sets hearing on Andy Kim lawsuit to eliminate lines for March 18” —“Bashaw wins Ocean County GOP convention for U.S. Senate by 3-1 margin” | | | | A message from Amazon:   | | | | | LOCAL | |
POINT PLEASANT POLITICS REACH UNPLEASANT POINT — “'This is worse than Washington!' Point Pleasant Beach mayor, council feud amid recall push,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Mike Davis: “[Councilman Jack] Pasola's aggravation cut through the din, rising louder than his colleagues – Mayor Doug Vitale and Council President Rosa Crowley – sniping at each other over Vitale's role, or lack thereof, in a new recall election. ‘Alright, come on,’ Pasola said, talking as loudly with his hands as he did with his voice. ‘This is worse than Washington, D.C.’ … Relationships between elected officials became heated after a three-way 2023 mayoral primary, but reached a fever pitch almost immediately after Vitale, who had served four years on the council until he was elected mayor, was sworn into office. At its January reorganization meeting, council voted down nearly every one of Vitale's appointments, from professionals on five- and six-figure contracts to volunteers on the recreation and senior citizen committees … Vitale called the rejections ‘political retribution.’ But the politics are unavoidable. Vitale acknowledged that many of the volunteers rejected by the council were people who had worked on his campaign.”
THE COWARDLY LEON — “Should Newark schools’ $4.5M museum project have been publicly bid?” by TAPIntoNewark’s Matt Kadosh: “A Newark Board of Education member is pushing school officials for an explanation about what she said was the district’s failure to publicly bid out a contract to convert a defunct school building into a museum of the school district’s history … ‘If it’s part of the settlement, were we not supposed to put out bids for a person to redo this building?’ member Crystal Williams asked at the school board’s Tuesday, Feb. 27, meeting … . State law requires public school districts with a qualified purchasing agent to put out to public bid any contract above $44,000. Approached by a reporter following the meeting, Superintendent Roger León acknowledged the journalist, then walked away, exiting through a door behind the dais. Board President Hasani Council declined to answer questions concerning the agreement with the real estate developer Hanini Group.” G.I. NO — “Sussex GOP calls for resignation of county commissioner. This is why,” by The New Jersey Herald Bruce A. Scruton: “The Sussex County Republican Party has called on county Commissioner William Hayden to resign his position citing the growing controversy over ‘stolen valor’ and allegations he falsely claimed to be a Navy Seal who was wounded on a ‘secret mission’ in Africa. The statement on Thursday came following a commissioners meeting the night before when, before a standing-room only meeting room, several speakers called for his resignation at most, and at least, a formal apology. At the previous commissioner meeting, the board voted 4-0 (Hayden left before the meeting commenced) on a resolution of censure, citing not only the 'stolen valor' claims but also apparent threats against at least one fellow commissioner and improper relationship with county employees … ‘After confirming various accounts from individuals who have known him for years, family relations through marriage, and our own direct experiences where he informed Sussex County Republican leaders, numerous volunteers, and elected officials, and claimed in public meetings to have combat experience, we found Freedom of Information Act requests showing he was never a Navy SEAL or served in the Naval Service. We conclude that he has disrespected all veterans and misrepresented himself to our party and the public.’” —"Hayden won’t say what branch of the military he served in or when" JERSEY CITY HIGHS — “Jersey City celebrates status as NJ’s ‘weed capital’ amid a pause to gauge how it’s working out,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “There are some lists Jersey City sits atop, whether it’s home to the best pizza, the highest rents or the most diverse population in the nation. Now Jersey City is high, in both the figurative and literal sense, on the list of towns that have the most active cannabis dispensaries in New Jersey — in other words, the “weed capital” of New Jersey. There are six dispensaries across the city, outpacing No. 2 Mount Holly, a township of 10,000 in Burlington County, which has four … 'Hopefully this is a boon for the city,” said Heights Councilman Yousef Saleh.’” RETIRING OR REMOVED BY THE POLITBURO? — “Spiller won’t seek second term in Montclair,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller will not seek re-election to a second term. ‘As I prepare to pass the baton of stewardship to the next elected leader of our community, I am more confident than ever that Montclair will continue to embody the values we hold dear,’ Spiller said. ‘Critical work remains ahead, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside each and every one of you in service of our shared home.’ Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest public employee union, served eight years as a councilman before winning election as mayor in 2020.” CUTTING THE LINE — Baraka supports ending 'the line', by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is coming out against the state’s unique ballot design known as the party line. Baraka — the mayor of the state’s largest city and an announced Democratic candidate for governor in 2025 — described the practice of putting party endorsed candidates in a single column on the primary ballot as undemocratic. But Baraka didn’t appear ready to sign onto a public request from Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop — who is also running for governor — to have all gubernatorial candidates eschew the line system in the 2025 race for governor. Let's be honest, all candidates have been trying and would take the line if granted it,” Baraka said in a statement to POLITICO. “But that's because they know the possibilities are grim, at best, without it," he added. "People are finally coming out against what many of us have known for some time: The Line is a powerful tool that has worked against those who are not connected, wealthy, or ‘chosen.’” —“Newark mayor and gubernatorial hopeful Ras Baraka calls for cease-fire in Gaza” —“Jerry Speziale expected to kick off campaign for Passaic County Sheriff on Friday” —“Spotswood administration stalls council's effort for special counsel in town's legal woes” —“School visit by Israelis to discuss Hamas attack divides [Livingston]” —“McGreevey questions $33M renovation cost hike for Jersey City’s Loew’s Theatre” | | | | On the ground in Albany. Get critical policy news and analysis inside New York State. Track how power brokers are driving change across legislation and budget and impacting lobbying efforts. Learn more. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, IF IT STANDS — “Republic First’s $35 million cash-injection deal is terminated,” by Bloomberg’s Diana Li: “Republic First Bancorp’s planned $35 million cash injection by a group of investors — a transaction intended to reassure shareholders about the bank’s financial stability — has collapsed. Investors George E. Norcross III, Gregory B. Braca, Philip A. Norcross, Alessandra T. Norcross and Alexander S. Norcross decided on Wednesday to terminate the agreement announced in October, Philadelphia-based Republic First said in a regulatory filing. ‘Our strategic plan has been designed to be executed even without the investment announced last fall,’ the bank said in the filing … The bank’s shares slumped 34% at 1:13 p.m. in New York. They’ve declined 99% in the past year, leaving the company’s market capitalization at $1.4 million.”
—“Norcross Braca Group calls off Republic First Bank deal” DON’T STOP THE BIDDIN’ — “Famous Sopranos booth at Holsten's in Bloomfield put up for auction. Where to place a bid,” by the Record’s John Connolly: “The iconic booth at Holsten's in Bloomfield where the final scene of ‘The Sopranos’ was shot was put up for auction on eBay Wednesday night. Don't worry, Holsten's isn't closing. The ice cream and confectionary shop is just doing some renovations. ‘The time has come. All good things sometimes need an upgrade. The famous Sopranos booth is getting a much needed face-lift,' Holsten's posted on Facebook Wednesday night. ‘We are auctioning off the well endeared booth on eBay starting today. Place your bid on this once in a lifetime chance to personally own 'the booth.' … The opening bid for the booth was $3,000.” — “Corrections officer admits guilt in connection with Bayside prison 'going away parties' —“Anheuser-Busch workers reach a deal, will not go on strike in N.J.” | | | | A message from Amazon: When Rachel Gutierrez-Aguirre was looking to take her handcrafted coffee national, she turned to Amazon because of the tools it offers sellers. “I’m thrilled to see Amazon providing this level of support to sellers,” she said.
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