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2 Message from the Editor YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 INSIDERNJ YEAR IN ADVANCE INTRODUCTION

P.O. Box 66 Verona, NJ 07044 [email protected] www.InsiderNJ.com

Heading into 2020, the thought was simultaneously serving as the co-chair of President Donald J. Trump – whatever Trump’s 2020 New Jersey reelection Max Pizarro his national eventualities – would simply campaign. Still (see below) the defection Editor-in-Chief [email protected] drag Democratic incumbents back into uncorked a whole series of unresolved office in New Jersey while perhaps even dramas. giving them a shot at the ever-elusive 4th Congressional District. While CD2 offers its own special prodi - gious intensity, at least two other con - But New Jersey decided to hatch a little gressional districts should prove very surrealistic surprise, in the form of U.S. competitive in 2020: CD3, where in - Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s defection (R-2) cumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Andy from the Democratic Party, just in time Kim (D-3) seeks reelection, and CD7, Pete Oneglia for a presidential election year. The stated home to U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D- reason? Van Drew couldn’t support the General Manager 7). Both districts were home to Republi - [email protected] Democrats’ impeachment of the Repub - can incumbents in 2018 and now the lican President, who had solicited foreign interference in the 2020 election. Democrats must defend their respective Michael Graham battlegrounds. Most insiders see U.S. CEO Even with the uniform change, Van Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) as too-es - tablished to defeat in a district he ripped John F.X. Graham Drew, it should be noted, is the favorite from a movement conservative Republi - Publisher in a district Trump carried by single digits in 2016. The congressman’s Democratic can in 2016. For her part, CD11 incum - Ryan Graham allies – running as “The Van Drew bent U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) – Associate Publisher Team” – lost in LD1 last year, failing to withstand a challenge led by a candidate Continued on Page 5

3 4 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

Message from the Editor Continued herself the conqueror of a longtime in - avidly about sexual harassment while lethal fashion as they attempt to un - tergenerational Republican in 2018 – their Murphy rivals will agree with dercut the governor. Several late and carries too considerable a brand to them while attempting to make the critical 2019 wins by Murphy (in - beat. It seemed unimaginable that overriding story about corruption and cluding the chairmanship) gave him a Larry Casha, the man who lost to those infamous tax incentives under boost, but his test in 2020 will be Sherrill conquest Jay Webber way back investigation by the state AG’s Office consistency, and heading off those in 200 7, that someone could summon and the Philadelphia-based U.S. At - deadening efforts by the South; big the wiles to improve on the efforts of torney. The Sweeney-Norcross wing challenges for the nationally-focused his own conqueror. And it already will, of course, agree that something chairman of the Democratic Gover - proved so, as D.C. lobbyist Rosemary needs to be done in a general sense nors’ Association (DGA) in a presi - Becchi pushed Casha aside this month about political corruption, not neces - dential election year. to become the Republican option sarily targeted tax incentives, and – against Sherrill with Casha’s support. capital s and capital h – sexual harass - Max Pizarro ment. A bad year by South Jersey in Max Pizarro While all of that is going on, we will, 2019, including a fumbling away and Editor, InsiderNJ of course, be watching the Statehouse, sideline observation relegation of the where Democrats in the Sweeney- party chair’s contest, will only make Norcross wing of the party will talk them recalibrate in more politically

Government Affairs Counsel 15 W. Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 (609) 394-0888 www.1868PublicAffairs.com

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5 6 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 MURPHY’S EXIT OPTION MAY RESULT IN RE-ENTRENCHMENT

There’s a school of thought, particu - Another Goldman Sachs fellow Certainly, the establishment contin - larly given the fact that his former turned governor, Jon Corzine, faced ues to try to drum Murphy out of state director now serves as Governor the awful prospect of having to pick a town, and he could hang around out Phil Murphy’s chief of staff, that Cory horse in the 2008 presidential race, of spite. But the smart political career Booker’s run for president merely and it ended up destroying his politi - money, Gary Cooper tin star in the plugged New Jersey until the rest of cal career. He picked Hillary Clinton dirt move for Murphy is picking the the country decided the 2020 prez over Barack Obama, thereby putting right candidate for president and then contest. himself in the back of the pack when riding the Hanoi helicopter out of eventual winner Obama assembled a New Jersey before it drags him asun - If Booker were to end his campaign cabinet. Sick of the wretched river der. The trouble is the field is so prematurely, he’d put Murphy in the town otherwise known as Trenton, chopped up with no clear and defined pickle of having to choose a candi - New Jersey, Corzine had wanted frontrunner that many insiders see date, a task complicated by the fact Treasury, and – twist on an old Neil only a brokered Milwaukee conven - that in the most bifurcated of times, Kinnock phrase coming up – a plat - tion as the ultimate outcome. While Murphy has labored to make himself form on which to stand to bash his such an eventuality could perhaps a darling of the progressive movement former tormentors at Goldman. De - plays havoc with his chances, Murphy in New Jersey, even if he personally nied, he found himself prodded into also could use his strong position leans toward a middle class on a good a reelection rundown with Chris within the party (he is, after all, head day kind of guy like Joe Biden. Christie, which he lost. Continued on Page 8

7 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 MURPHY’S EXIT OPTION MAY RESULT IN RE-ENTRENCHMENT – Continued of the Democratic Governors’ Associ - phy (unlike Corzine in 2009) would ation) and finally prove his prowess as most certainly be the 2021 favorite. a dealmaker, which is how he ad - Even if he didn’t want to be here at vanced up the ladder at Goldman in that point, he could shake the one the first place. and done tag that drags on the legacy of his former Goldman alum, even if It is said that Murphy – a former Am - they both couldn’t get to the bigger bassador to Germany – would favor dance. Then again, in the minds of Secretary of State and settle for noth - Murphy’s minders, reelection could ing less than Ambassador to China. position the governor – provided he Of course, Republican President avoids a Christie-like Bridgegate melt - Donald J. Trump – complete with his down – for a 2024 prez run. own little Wildwood, NJ-friendly narrative, could win reelection, With Booker out of the contest now, thereby propelling Murphy, a la Co - the calculation appears to be for Mur - zine, into his own reelection posture. phy to go toward safe bet Biden. The good news (or bad) is that Mur -

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www.ppactionnj.org 8 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

THE BOOKER SENATE TO PREZ PIVOT

Cory Booker certainly knows how to pivot.

For months, the Booker camp has Now it was time for that classic polit - work “to make justice and opportu - been sending out emails to supporters ical act – a pivot. nity real for everyone must continue.” insisting – contrary to reason and fact – that his presidential campaign Years ago, I briefly had a state govern - And it added, “That’s why I’m run - was alive and well. ment public relations job that really ning for reelection to the U.S. Sena - wasn’t for me, but I do remember sen - tor.” Just send Booker a few more dollars ior officials saying things like, “We’re and everything would be fine and going to pivot.” Two days later, the Booker campaign dandy; that was the message. It distributed another message making seemed not to matter that the senator Up until then, I thought pivoting was sure everyone heard the “exciting was now failing to qualify for debates. a basketball term, as in, move your news” that Booker is running for re - Ignoring that, the campaign kept on pivot foot and you'll be called for election as a senator. And it asked re - saying that Booker had tons of real traveling. cipients to become one of the people support in Iowa. “founding donors” of Booker’s Senate But in the political world, pivoting campaign. And then – it was over. seems to mean you stop what you had been doing and – presto – just start One supposes it’s good to put a failed Booker pulled out of the race on Jan - doing something else. presidential campaign in your rear- uary 13th, less than a month before view mirror as quickly as possible, but the Iowa caucuses, where he had po - On January 13th, the Booker camp sitioned himself to compete. was back with a message that said his Continued on Page 11

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10 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE BOOKER SENATE TO PREZ PIVOT Continued it still takes some gumption to simply move on to another campaign with - out breaking a sweat.

A few observations are in order.

One is that Booker technically was running for the Senate at the same time he was seeking the presidency. Keep in mind that the state Legisla - ture passed a bill allowing him to run for both offices at the same time. That was a bit crazy, but it is the essence of politics.

A second observation is that Booker now has to focus on New Jersey after spending just about a year – he launched his presidential campaign Feb. 1 of last year – concentrating on getting to the White House. And if one surfaces, Booker may have electorate has moved on from him The cynicism of Booker’s pivot, to redefine his message, or in other and his failed policies. notwithstanding, his path to reelec - words, pivot again. tion doesn’t seem all that complicated. “Cory Booker has failed New Jersey Whatever occurs, Mehta in particular Democrats far outnumber Republi - residents on every level,” added offered the returning New Jersey jun - Mehta. “From the poverty rates and cans in New Jersey and Booker's ior senator an appropriate New Jersey name recognition is pretty good. unresolved lead water crisis in welcome home, when he said the in - Newark, to public health and educa - And here’s a quiz for you – name the cumbent Democrat should seriously tion which continue to suffer under Republicans seeking the GOP’s Sen - reconsider returning to the Garden him, the American public under - ate nomination. State to run for “another failed Senate stands that Booker’s failed policies in term.” Newark will also fail the rest of the As of now, they are Stuart Meissner, country.” Tricia Flanagan, Hirsh Singh and Rik “Cory Booker has been completely Mehta. tone-deaf in terms of what issues are Even if miniaturized and in this case important to the nation,” said Mehta. the outcome not in doubt, for If there truly is a serious challenger to “If he runs back to New Jersey after Booker, the fun would not abate. Booker in that group, it remains to be being absent for so many months, I’m seen. sure he will find that the New Jersey

11 12 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE RACE IS ON FOR SENATE IN THE GOP

As usual in New Jersey, there’s an ex - citing – and irrelevant – Republican Primary for U.S. Senate. As much as it helps the national GOP (and the individual egos of those running) to believe New Jersey will rise in rebel - lion of Cory Booker’s presidential run by throwing him out of his sen - ate seat, it won’t happen.

A big pharma guy with unlimited money who was a pretty good can - didate (Bob Hugin) in 2018 lost by double digits to an incumbent Democratic Senator (Bob Menen - dez) who had been under indict - ment.

GOP Senate candidate Tricia Flanagan and Grover Norquist

Booker is not losing in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by over a million registered voters to: • Tricia Flanagan • Rik Mehta – Pharmacist, Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law School, Attorney • Stuart Meissner – Former Pprosecutor and Independent Candidate for U.S. Senate in 2013 • Natalie Lynn Rivera – Independent Candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 • Hirsh Singh – Engineer • Gary Rich – Former Monmouth County freeholder

Still, the crowded, self-convinced field will no doubt make for an exciting (if ultimately doomed to a general election turf) contest.

13 14 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM

The tug of war for the soul of Both born in Washington, D.C., and then, in the early 1980’s, Lawrence “Larry” Hamm between they came to New Jersey as babies, founded the social and economic government and activism, pragma - 16 years apart, Booker the son of justice-agitating grassroots outfit, tism and radicalism played out in his IBM executives to Harrington Park; the People’s Organization for hometown of Newark, the cultural and Hamm the son of a truck driv - Progress (POP). and political connecting point, ing father and seamstress mother to where for years activism alone ap - the Central Ward of Newark. They ORIGINS peared to have the decided upper- both attended Ivy League colleges, hand; that is until now, as he Booker Yale and Hamm Princeton, For Hamm it started back in the undertakes a street-level statewide and both saw Newark as the proving spring of 1967 when he threw rocks run for elected office, 45 years after ground. But while Booker spent a at his elementary school as repay - his power-defying bid for an at-large brief time as a tent-pitching protester ment for the school ejecting his city council seat. before winning his first city council friend. seat in 1998 and thereafter leaping His direct challenge of U.S. Senator upward from one elected office to The school’s principal responded by Cory Booker carries multiple layers the next (councilman, mayor, sena - ejecting him. of dramatic resonance, overlapping tor, and, he had hoped, president); storylines and even inevitability. Hamm lost his 1974 citywide shot Continued on Pag 17

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16 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM

His mother had cried when Hamm’s the front of a dry goods warehouse. been so young at the time all he re - father died when the boy was four ally remembered about the incident years old. He looked up at his grandfather, was the commotion caused by his Claude Cobb, a boiler man and hellraising Aunt Gladys as she resis - But with little Larry seemingly WWI veteran, and wanted to know ted but finally relented and went to headed for oblivion on the streets of why everybody was so upset. the back of the segregated train. Newark, his mother broke apart in Now his grandfather was trying to il - the principal’s office and begged for Why were blacks overrunning the lustrate how race affected people on her son to be readmitted. streets? a personal level.

“Your son,” the principal told her, “is “He was talking about his life,” a common hoodlum.” Hamm said. “He hated the south. He was from the south. He told my Still, they let him back in. mother he did not want to be buried down south.” A mother’s tears hit harder than rocks. Was his grandfather expressing affir - mation of the necessity of black re - Between his elementary and high sistance? school careers, in the summer of 1967, long-boiling tensions in “I don’t know,” Hamm said. “The Newark spilled with the July 12th discussion was not that deep. My police arrest and beating of cab grandfather was not that militant. driver John Smith at the 17th Av - He was a hardworking man, who enue Precinct and subsequent rebel - “My grandfather didn’t start the dis - worked his whole life, got sick and lion by blacks against the city’s white cussion with Newark,” said Hamm. didn’t go to work for two weeks and establishment. “He started the discussion with his then he died. He’s buried in Glen - service in the military when he was dale Cemetery in Belleville in the “It happened about a mile away in the army and they went to France, veteran’s section five rows from my from my house as the crow flies,” and the French people were asking father, who was a WWII veteran.” said Hamm. “All the ingredients to see their tails. I was like, ‘tails??!!’ were there for an explosion. Some - That was the first real discussion I But on that night and in the after - one told me Springfield Avenue was ever heard about race – the night of math of the initial eruption, Newark on fire.” the rebellion.” was the warzone.

He stood on the front porch of the Hamm had gone down south before The regional news networks carried building where he lived and looked the riot and was with his mother and coverage of the “riots”. across the street at the violent spec - aunt on the train out of D.C. when tacle of people in the sweltering the conductor made them move to summer heat tearing garage doors off the back of the train. But he had Continued on Page 19

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18 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

mother sobbing in the principal’s of - fice back in junior high.

At student orientation, he felt fo - cused.

He was committed to full redemp - tion, to being a good student and making the most of an opportunity.

Then the student council president – who was at that time called the stu - dent mayor of the school – an llya Kuryakin-lookalike who wore a blond Beatles-style haircut, climbed onstage. He was expected to talk about student government, the up - coming Halloween party, and UNICEF collections.

“I saw contingents of national guard crowd amid TV cameras. It was leg - He proceeded to rail against the War marching and rolling in, halftracks endary Olympic track star Jesse in Vietnam. jeeps and trucks just like in the Owens, who signed one of his books WWII movies, on 16th Avenue and for Hamm. “I was sitting there, and I had this 12th Street. Martial law was de - real conscious thing in my mind that clared. We were under military oc - “I was 13 years old when I met this I had a second chance,” Hamm said. cupation. Twenty-six people were great man, but the real depth of what “I had messed up. This is a personal killed. Then the guard pulled out he had done – fighting the racism of thing, not a racial thing. But this kid, two weeks after and what was re - the Nazis – had not sunk in to me,” whose name was David, he doesn’t markable was the way things re - he said. talk about things asked for. He starts turned so quickly to normal. I talking about Vietnam. So the prin - thought school would be delayed, He touched the hand of greatness cipal gets up and tells David to stop but they started in September, right somewhere within the embers of the talking about Vietnam. The princi - on time.” rebellion. pal comes over and tries to physically drag David from the podium. David Before he went to Arts High School, THE MAN FROM UNCLE and the principal get into a fight on - his 8th grade teacher took him to the stage in front of the whole audito - top floor of Bambergers downtown Larry Hamm went to Arts High rium.” where a man was signing books in a School still thinking about his Continued on Page 21

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20 Parano & Associates YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

Suddenly Hamm was thinking something very different from what he thought when he walked into that room as a burgeoning academic.

“I thought, ‘I want to be in student government,'” he said. “I already knew the consequences of opposing authority, having just been sus - pended. But he was onstage fighting the principal. I couldn’t find Viet - nam on a map. But I knew this was important. I knew I wanted to join the student council, because if he could put himself on the line like that, there was something serious going on.”

Hamm became deputy mayor, and by the time he was a senior, he was mayor of Arts High School. future Newark Mayor Ras Baraka), High School’s government reps “At that point, I was on the road to on the future site of St. Benedict’s. down to the Latin classroom where political consciousness,” he said. a man talked to them about the po - On his way to school each day, Larry litical situation. While he was determinedly cam - Hamm walked past that headquar - paigning at school, someone else was ters. “I never heard anyone talk that way,” campaigning citywide against in - Hamm said. cumbent Hugh Addonizio, and in Two men stood out front in green 1970, Newarkers elected Ken Gib - dashiki uniforms with black pants It was Baraka. son their first African-American and afros. mayor. A year later in March of 1971, John Coltrane music flooded the Hamm – now a track and field star “I didn’t work in the Gibson cam - area. in the mile – was organizing a stu - paign,” said Hamm. “I was not con - dent walkout in the midst of a sec - scious of what was happening in city “I didn’t go in, but I knew it was a ond teacher’s strike. The students politics. I was tending to school pol - black thing,” Hamm said. “I saw learned that if they missed 35 con - itics. It was happening around me.” them as something unusual.” secutive days of school they wouldn’t graduate and go to college as It was happening a block away, in One day during the 1970’s teacher’s planned. Hamm was heading – he fact, where stood the headquarters of strike, and just prior to the Gibson hoped – to Princeton. He didn’t poet-activist Amiri Baraka (father of election, the principal brought Arts Continued on Page 23

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22 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

He had been not even a year in of - fice.

Three months later, as their young star prepared to go to Princeton Uni - versity, the Hamm residence received a knock on the door.

It was an aide to Mayor Ken Gibson. He had a question for Hamm.

“The mayor wants to know if you would be a member of the Newark Board of Education.”

There was a vacancy.

“I just got accepted to Princeton University,” he told the aide.

“You want to go to school? You’ll be want to be delayed. The principal way Hotel. Two-hundred students found out about his planned protest got inside and went up to the sixth able to go to school and go to Prince - and called him into her office. or seventh floor and sat down, deter - ton at the same time.” mined not to move. If he went ahead with the walk out, Hamm was focused. he would be suspended, he wouldn’t Then Mayor Ken Gibson appeared. graduate and he wouldn’t go to col - “I had gone into the lion’s den, sur - vived the teacher’s strike that threat - lege. “He came and told us he understood ened our graduation, I had applied why we were doing what we were But he and the students were ready to Princeton, Harvard, and Yale and doing, and told us if we worked with to go. been accepted at all three.” him he would end the strike,” Hamm said. “We weren’t on the “I didn’t want to be called an Uncle Still, he couldn’t resist. Tom,” Hamm said. board side or teacher’s side. We were kids who wanted to graduate. And He would go to Princeton. He went through with the walk out. yes, that lesson was eminently clear. I tell kids all the time: they have Ninety-percent of the student body But he couldn’t completely leave power. The mayor came to us. That joined him in the street, where they Newark. marched to what at that time was the was the first time I saw Ken Gib - Double Tree Hilton, now the Gate - son.” Continued on Page 25

23 24 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

On July 1, the 17-year old assumed It would take a long time for Gibson on an anti-Gibson slate with Ralph the oath of office as the youngest full to make Lieutenant Edward Kerr the Grant, Julia Grant, Jim Nance, and voting member of a board of educa - city’s first black police director. Dennis Westbrooks. tion. Gibson – through intermediaries, He lost. “I wasn’t even old enough to vote,” and never in person – was pulling he said. Hamm on one side. But he went back to Princeton in 1974, this time with a factory In four years he went from someone Baraka – personally, face to face – worker first wife and his first daugh - who barely graduated, to a Princeton was pulling on the other. ter behind him, and graduated cum University-bound member of the laude with a degree in politics. Newark Board of Education. Then there was Latin class at Prince - ton, which might has well have been Was it all an academic grind? THE LOCAL COLLISION the actual experience of the Punic BETWEEN GIBSON AND Wars. Hell, no. BARAKA “I was unprepared,” Hamm said of “On campus, we formed the People’s Amiri Baraka was not happy with his studies. Front for the Libertion of Southern Gibson, however. Africa, and got Princeton to divest The Brick City revolution now ex - from companies that did business The internationally recognized beat - tended to include Gibson as a major with South Africa,” Hamm said. nik black power poet and self-pro - local disappointment – and a politi - fessed communist lost faith in cal target. Then he went back to Newark. Gibson almost immediately. Baraka and his allies summoned THE ROAD TO A 2020 U.S. On the heels of the 1967 troubles, their best people to oppose him as SENATE RUN coming out of the 1969 Black and they approached the 1974 election. Puerto Rican convention, Baraka Forty years of radical, unshakeable and his followers put the pre-condi - Newark was too intense. activism followed. tion on Gibson that if he became mayor he needed to appoint a black Too urgent. Jesse Jackson for president. police director. Hamm dropped out of Princeton. Reparations for the sons and daugh - Gibson didn’t. ters of enslaved Americans. With Baraka’s backing and blessing He installed, in fact, an Irish Ameri - and with his own African name Ad - Anti-police brutality campaigns. can. humu Chunga (Swahili for “impor - tant youth”) given to him by the Social and economic justice actions. Baraka was livid. poet, Hamm ran for an at-large seat Continued on Page 27

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26 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

Hamm in a national presidential campaign.

When Sanders reemerged as a 2020 contender, Hamm signed on without reservation as chair of the Vermont Senator’s New Jersey presidential campaign.

“I will campaign in every city in New Jersey,” said Hamm, ally of former Working Families Director Analilia Mejia of Elizabeth, who is now polit - ical director for Sanders’s national campaign.

“Beating Donald Trump is the floor; Recreational marijuana legalization. “He was trying to out-warrior the it is not the ceiling,” Booker said in warrior,” he said, standing at the side Adel Iowa on Sunday on the presiden - Expungement. of fellow progressive state Senator tial campaign trail ahead of the Feb. Nia Gill (D-34), decrying Kerry’s fa - 3rd caucuses. “It gets us out of the val - Abolish the electoral college. tally compromised aye vote for the ley; it doesn’t get us to the mountain - use of force in Iraq. top. I am running for president A near-fatal car accident. because I want to get to the moun - taintop!” A second marriage. Back in New Jersey, in Essex County, Two more daughters. it’s not about Booker, Hamm, the Democratic candidate insists, when A progressive independent bid for asked about his likely incumbent op - the assembly in the 28th District ponent in the Democratic Primary, against Senator Ronald L. Rice’s his fellow Ivy Leaguer and Newark (D-28) slate in 1987. doppelganger who went the way of elected office when the founder of Ongoing anti-war efforts. POP stayed street only to double back now on the prospect of a colli - Hamm stood on the steps of city hall sion in his sixties. the day after George W. Bush beat In 2016, Bernie Sanders with his so - John Kerry and told people not to cialist message of universal health - cry. care engaged an always impassioned Continued on Page 29

27 28 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A ‘COMMON HOODLUM’S’ COMING OF AGE: THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDACY OF LARRY HAMM – Continued

It’s bigger, Hamm argued.

Sanders is the national-sized expres - sion of the people power agenda Hamm awakened to in the 1960s and dedicated his life to: the fair housing for blacks activist arrested, resurfacing in office with the same uncompromising aims as himself.

The old arcs of history and influence return and convergence.

“Taking Trump out is not enough,” Hamm said. “Normal is what helped get Trump into office. This is the had an agenda that was too radical,” thanks to my daughter Imani for double V sign we have to have here, Hamm said. going to the track with me and tak - just like the NAACP employed: vic - ing this picture yesterday. For my tory against fascism abroad and vic - It was Tuesday, the morning of birthday she gave me a new pair of tory against domestic fascism. Christmas Eve day, and, incidentally, running shoes. And to celebrate my Candidates that were ‘normal’ Hamm’s birthday. birthday we went to the movies last brought us to Trump.” night. It was fun and we both en - After he finished his interview, the joyed the film. It was a good birth - That said, “I am a Bernie Sanders old high school track and field man day. I am glad to be alive. At this supporter working to make sure he who once met Jesse Owens in crisis- time in my life, I face many difficul - is the nominee, but if he doesn’t get torn Newark, went jogging at Brook - ties and personal challenges, but I it, I will support whoever the nomi - dale Park in Bloomfield, as he does have much to be thankful and grate - nee is, because we must beat Donald annually at this time. ful for. I have been in the struggle for Trump, who is the titular head of racial, social, and economic justice nascent fascism in this country.” Hamm wrote on Facebook on this for the last 46 years of my life, since occasion two years ago a sentiment I was a teenager. It is because the But aren’t he and Sanders two inflex - he said he stood by this week: “I support and encouragement of so ible radicals from another time, he is jogged 4 miles, 16 laps around the many of you that I have been able to asked, two surviving emblems of an quarter mile track there. Last year I stay in this race, to last this long, and age incapable of compromise? “They did three miles. Next year, weather to come this far. This is the last lap said FDR [Franklin Delano Roo - and body permitting, I hope to jog and I am going to keep fighting until sevelt] – who put people to work – 5 miles on my 64th birthday. My I cross the finish line.”

29 30 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT

It seems inevitable that it would variation on a theme of perpetually aboard the Trump bandwagon.” come to this for that last politically smiling noblesse oblige in the face of surviving third of an aristocratic tri - an anger management-oblivious re - The “Trump bandwagon.” It umvirate reduced now to a single- ality TV show star turned president amounted to a fairly cavalier dismissal standing totem otherwise known as than his fellow purveyors of political of a name Republicans wanted to be - Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, family dignity. lieve could project beyond the meaner Jr., in the era of President Donald J. dimensions of what Trump had come Trump. In his own endearing way, “I’m very disappointed in Tom to constitute for most Central Jersey Trump already contributed to un - Kean,” Westfield Mayor Shelley voters. It was the last name of its kind horsing those other remnants of the Brindle last fall said of the Republi - on the landscape; among the last op - N.J. Republican Party round table. can state senator from her home - tions, in fact, from among that dwin - town running to secure the dling fraternity of intergenerational Scion of a still-surviving former gov - Republican nomination to run gentility that included former Gover - ernor respected for his urbanity and against Malinowski in 2020. nor Christie Todd Whitman and the never-let-’em-see-ya’-sweat state - eminently 2021 vulnerable state Sen - house agility, Kean the younger ap - “We’ve worked well together,” said ator Kip Bateman (R-16). parently has in mind a different the Democrat, “but he has jumped Continued on Page 33

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32 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT – Continued

They all had the examples right in front of them.

Sons of fathers who respectively were themselves a former congressman and state senator, former U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen and former U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance in the fate - ful lead-up to 2018 grappled sepa - rately with the jarring presence of the country’s chief executive, who epito - mized the opposite of everything they prized in public: restraint, good manners, good breeding, reluctance to indulge in obnoxious endzone dances, self-aggrandizement, and nent in a district owned by Republi - can Party’s replacement plan for Twitter tantrums. cans going back to 1984. Obamacare out of committee, then opposed the legislation on the House “I think he ought to leave his tweets Facing his own 2018 reelection floor along with just 19 other mem - at home,” a beleagured-looking Frel - prospects as Frelinghuysen folded, bers of his own party. Still, the con - inghuysen told reporters in March of Lance, for his part, adopted a differ - gressman’s opposition to Planned 2017, in reference to the president. ent approach, digging in his heels Parenthood funding clung to him at A year later, amid reports of the and publicly opposing Trump on precisely the wrong time, as the pres - Trump Administration opposing the critical occasions in an attempt to ident’s perceived misogyny moti - New Jersey Gateway Tunnel project present an independent-at-all-costs vated women voters to go to the (for which the congressman had se - brand name in a 7th District adja - polls. cured funding), ostensibly to stick it cent to Frelinghuysens where the to the Northeast where support for same flames of rebellion roiled. Prodded by NJTV correspondent the president was weak, Frelinghuy - Brianna Vannozzi in his debate with sen pulled the plug on a run for a Unlike Frelinghuysen, who opted Democratic challenger Tom Mali - 13th term in federal office, gradually out of town halls rather than endure nowski, the uncomfortable congress - disappearing from public view as the scourge of progressive scorn, man gave Trump a “B” grade. howls ensued from fellow party Lance stuck his face in the fire, let - Malinowski drilled into the incum - members about dereliction of duty ting people trample on him and bent. “We have a problem,” said the and political cowardice in the face of Trump as cohabitants of the same Democrat. “We are not going to a suburban-stampeding enemy. party at Raritan Valley Community solve that problem by saying, ‘oh, I Leading an anti-Trump movement, College. While Frelinghuysen ulti - wish he wouldn’t tweet so much.’” It Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a retired mately voted to repeal Obamacare, Navy helicopter pilot, would land - Lance delicately tried to thread a slide her stand-in Republican oppo - needle when he voted the Republi - Continued on Page 35

303 34 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT – Continued was a running Malinowski theme. Lance wasn’t sufficiently muscular to oppose a menacing chief executive, even if Trump’s White House seethed over the Central Jersey Re - publican’s gyrations, going so far as to entertain talks with possible pri - mary challengers if Lance didn’t sim - ply consistently back their agenda. Then Malinowski himself exposed the congressman’s inconsistency when he noted that Lance had voted to gut the Affordable Care Act 60 times before tacking to a moderate Now comes Kean ($1 million in the their tax returns. “Kip Bateman position as the prospect of a tough campaign bank as of late last year, needs to look at recent elections,” reelection battle loomed. compared to his incumbent oppo - Save Jersey blogger Matt Rooney nent’s $1.5 million), the most evi - told 101.5 FM’s Bill Spadea. “Ask dent upholder of his father’s Leonard Lance. Ask Bob Hugin. cross-the-aisle-friendly politics, Running away from Donald Trump whose run for office, presumably on and leading with an apology is not a ticket with an impeachment-sad - going to win back these people in dled, reelection-seeking Trump, sig - New Jersey or anywhere else who are nifies the denouement of the last voting against the Republican Party. circle of New Jersey’s intergenera - You need to begin to explain to peo - tional office-holding Republican ple what we stand for, create a real families. His decision to run toward contrast with the status quo — these Trump by running with Trump sig - nuts that we’ve got leading us like nifies not only a departure from Frel - Cory Booker and Phil Murphy — inghuysen and Lance, but from and then at that point people will Whitman and Bateman, who have begin to take you seriously. [Bate - repeatedly made their disgust mani - man]’s not going to get any good will fest. that way.” Lance went down fighting to Mali - nowski, 47-52%, an ignominious, Whitman penned a viral op-ed call - When Kean kicked off, he obviously serpentine-like end to the moderate, ing Trump unfit for office. Bateman attempted to emphasize his own originally-strong-on-the-environment joined state lawmaking Democrats family’s history. Republican who occupied the same in support of a bill specifically de - senate minority leader seat that Kean signed to keep Trump off the 2020 InsiderNJ columnist Fred Snowflack did before the younger man’s advance ballot in New Jersey by requiring was in the room that night in Clark. up the party seniority ladder. presidential candidates to release Continued on Page 37

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36 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT – Continued

“I’m a Tom Kean Republican,” he said… to an overflow crowd jammed into the local American Legion hall. Kean Jr., was announcing his candi - dacy for the 7th District congres - sional seat now held by Democrat Tom Malinowski.

The reference was to his father, Tom Kean Sr., who served two terms as governor in the 1980’s.

The term, “Tom Kean Republican,” is not merely the type of throwaway line one often hears at political gath - erings.

Over the years in New Jersey poli - ber of last year to help the candidate Kean, Jr. and Christie were never tics, it has come to mean two things on the fundraising front, Perfect To - overly friendly, the seeds of their po - – a moderate Republican as opposed gether PAC features the advisory litical acrimony exposed most dra - to an uncompromising right winger presence of Bill Stepien, Trump’s po - matically during the governor’s 2013 and an official who sees the opposi - litical director, formerly political reelection campaign, when, hoping tion as just that, not an enemy to be minder for Governor Chris Christie. to coattail pre-Bridgegate Christie vanquished at all costs. A short time later, Snowflack wrote fever, the senate minority leader per - about Christie’s political ally Bill sonally selected and championed Re - But to Brindle’s point, especially Palatucci, urging people in an email publican senate candidates in South given the wreckage around him of to forget about raising money for Jersey districts. Christie didn’t cam - other genteel family legacies turned CD-7 Republican Primary candidate paign with those candidates. Nor did to Revolutionary War-era stone, Rosemary Becchi, who at one time – his name appear on lawn signs with Kean faces the prospect – amid the long before Kean jumped in the them as he burnished the North Jer - preponderance of issues aimed by 2020 contest – flirted with the pos - sey support of Essex County Execu - this administration at New Jersey sibility of receiving Trump-friendly tive Joe DiVincenzo and state (overridingly on Gateway and support to oust Lance in the 2018 Senator Brian P. Stack (D-33), both SALT), presumably out of political Primary. Republicans would later Democrats. spite – of running against himself, or pry Becchi out of the primary with against his father, by occupying the Kean and redirect her to CD-11 and Ironically – or not – one of those same lane as the president. a general election matchup with South Jersey Democrats he left alone Frelinghuysen conqueror U.S. Rep. was then-state Senator Jeff Van Drew The alliances bespeak of same-fox - Mikie Sherrill (D-11). (D-2), whose Kean-supported and hole mindset. Launched in Septem - Continued on Page 39

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38 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT – Continued

Christie-abandoned rival watched in deduction-limiting tax president was to actually advance the cause of peo - horror as Van Drew, presumably on supposedly – but for a golf course ple in his own party rather than ac - the strength of deal-making above and downbeat gambling mecca asso - quiesce to Democrats – become Kean’s paygrade, walked back into ciation – a statewide nemesis. With what he beheld in the name of polit - office with a 59-39% blowout vic - Van Drew especially, to a lesser ex - ical expediency? Or was he merely tory. Now, deprived of Christie in tent Kean, and certainly by capital - the same enduring Republican, so the governor’s office in a district izing on intra-party rivalries within loyal to the party and steadfast in the Trump won by single digits in 2016, the Democratic Party, Trump forces belief of his own name, that even but aided by the political connective hope to use New Jersey as evidence now he trusted in his ability to tran - Trump tissue of key Christie allies of an enemy territory beachhead. scend – and inspire collective tran - Palatucci and Stepien, Congressman scendence? Whatever the case, like Van Drew, having switched parties In forging those closer ties to Lance before him, Kean will have to from Democrat to Republican, wel - Trump’s GOP, had Kean – de - defend – for all his public expres - comes Trump to a Wildwood cam - nounced by Christie in the after - paign rally in a state where the SALT math of 2013 because of his temerity Continued on Page 41

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40 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

KEAN, JR.’S QUEST TO ABIDE WHERE LANCE AND FRELINGHUYSEN COULD NOT – Continued sions of moderation – a basically Re - publican Party record in a district – Brindle’s 2017 win, not to mention Malinowski’s 2018 victory prime ex - hibits – changed from the times of leafy yore. Republicans in the district still edge Democrats – 153K to 149K registereds – in a collision for the independent vote.

His allies will deny it but his 0-2 record in federal elections – and the infamy of a very shaky 2006 per - formance on foreign policy in his match-up with Bob Menendez, now, at precisely the time, given the weightiness of ongoing incoming headlines, when Malinowski – a for - mer foreign service official in the Obama Administration – will be able to speak surgically on Iran in a well-educated district, arguably put Kean in political hail Mary mode. There’s buzz about this Malinowski race being his Waterloo (an unfortu - nate metaphor given the absence of a Battle of Saorgio or Battle of the Pyramids on his resume), which As - giving up in the brutal aftermath of matchup of middle aged white males semblyman Jon Bramnick’s (R-21) his third federal loss. in an atmosphere of female political public mulling of a 2021 gubernato - radiance, cadaverous traditions close- rial run aims to quell. If Bramnick Over the last few days, Malinowski at-hand; at its best the CD7 contest (who has consistently run away from and Kean made the reorganization arguably collides real-impact contra - Trump) were to actually run for gov - rounds, each projecting barely veiled dictions, undertaken not only be - ernor, he wouldn’t run again for the hot stove irritation at the presence of tween the two hardly demagogic seat Kean presumably would aban - the other, civility in close unwilled principals but within a Republican don in the aftermath of a win over proximity demanding their hands Party within a party, within the aus - Malinowski (we assume Bramnick dart toward each other, just enough pices of a domineering, seemingly would fill it for the duration of the to touch – and withdraw. At its very un-Kean-like personality. term), or – amid inevitable internal worst a contest of insipid austerity, grumblings – be faced to consider colorless in its head-to-head

41 42 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MALINOWSKI TO KEAN: ‘BRING IT ON!’

MOUNTAINSIDE – When Tom be his opponent and that he wants “a under 40. In what may or may not be Malinowski first launched his reelec - contest on the issues.” instructive, Kean Jr. ran statewide tion campaign about 10 days ago in against Bob Menendez in the 2006 Hunterdon County, his opponent was When he addressed supporters, he U.S. Senate race with less than desir - unknown. It would have been either joked that he and fellow freshman able results. Tom Kean Jr. or Rosemary Becchi. Democrat, Mikie Sherrill, share a lot of things. Now, they even share Re - As he said in his previous campaign But when Malinowski had a second publican opponents, given the fact launch, Malinowski expects an acri - “launch” of his reelection campaign Becchi’s campaign has relocated from monious race, noting, “This is going Wednesday night – this time at the one district to another. to heat up pretty darn soon.” Echo Tap and Grill in Union County – the GOP landscape had shifted. In a more serious vein, Malinowski He said he’s prepared to be called a Becchi was now running in the 11th spoke of Kean as a “big name Repub - “socialist” and a man who backs District, so Kean would be Mali - lican.” “open borders.” nowski’s opponent in the 7th. How “big” a name Kean is remains to In turn, Malinowski said he’s going to “Bring it on,” Malinowski said before be seen. Thomas H. Kean Sr. was a demand that Kean explain his support addressing about 100-150 people in very popular two-term governor, but for Donald Trump, or as the congress - the bar’s dining area. he left office more than 30 year ago. man said, “a man who is in love with It certainly can be debated how sig - Kim Jong-un.” He said he long assumed Kean would nificant the “Kean” name is to voters

43 The time to make New Jersey more affordable and

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44 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

THE CD2 DISASTER . BUT THEN WASN’T THAT THE POINT?

Never underestimate the transactional It also created immediate havoc in e Democrats appeared just as di - capacities of New Jersey. both parties, as incensed Republican vided, with the South Jersey political candidates vying to take on Van Drew machine that helped give birth to Van What they are exactly may not be im - (David Richter, Brian Fitzherbert, Drew now mostly backing Montclair mediately clear – but don’t doubt they and Bob Patterson) found themselves University Political Science Professor exist. at war with the base of their own Brigid Harrison, while progressives party, charged up to back Van Drew ran the risk of cannibalizing them - Jeff Van Drew’s decision to change on the strength of Trump’s endorse - selves among the likes of Atlantic party affiliation from Democrat to ment of the defected Dem. It must County Freeholder Ashley Bennett, Republican gave President Donald J. have been very strange, almost like a West Cape May Commissioner John Trump a reelection year political toe - Stanley Kubrick movie, for someone Francis, and educator Amy Kennedy. hold in an otherwise pretty blue state, like Richter, who overnight found e presence in the developing con - one that fielded 11 of 12 Democratic himself in lurid debates on Facebook test of Kennedy, however, did play to congresspeople in the 2018 mid-term with regional conservative voice elections. Harry Hurley. Continued on next page

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45 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

THE CD2 DISASTER . BUT THEN WASN’T THAT THE POINT? – Continued an extraordinary reanimation narra - a mess, otherwise known as the CD2 the federal level? We don’t know. It tive in the imaginations of some New contest in 2020. was an intriguing dovetail, on a race Jersey Democrats. Kennedy also of - What did it mean in a transactional that more resembled a tortured alba - fered the promise of something De - context? tross. mocrats would need to compete in a race the president’s presence had na - e feds (headed by a U.S. Attorney For the moment, Richter and Fitzher - tionalized: deep pockets. appointed by Trump) had Van Drew’s bert – devoid of support in their party former party benefactor under the that moved fast to Van Drew under Van Drew welcomed Trump to a Jan. headlights in an ongoing investigation Trump’s political auspices – dropped 28th rally, which prompted public of tax incentives that benefited his out of the race; as the GOP left De - declarations of outrage among the business interests. Was Van Drew tacit mocrats to fight over the identity they Dems, and private-spilling-into-pub - public payment in hopes of making would project against a completely lic agony among Republicans. It was that investigation go away, at least on Trumpified Van Drew.

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47 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE CD3 DEBACLE: NO TIME SOON

Andy Kim was never going to win any charisma awards, but then he never promised to be anything other than a good government policy wonk with impressive foreign policy credentials. An added benefit proved to be his fighting qualities as a candidate, as the Democrat dethroned – yes, with some help from a flailing midterm Repub - lican president - incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3).

Now Kim has a reelection campaign on his plate, and the prospect of going up against Kate Gibbs, deputy direc - tor for the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, ELEC 825, who will ob - viously have some Building Trades heft with her as she tries to gut through a primary. Fellow BurlCo Re - publican, former Hainesport Mayor Former Burlington County Freeholder and CD3 GOP primary candidate Kate Gibbs Tony Porto, is also in the contest. So is Barnegat Township Deputy Mayor The 2019 elections showed Ocean’s in 7 or 11. Kim ended up excelling John Novak, a self-professed Make enduring GOP profile, and some where people thought he would: pol - icy fine-pointing; but his office also America Great again contestant run - schizophrenia in Burlington, which voted in countywide Democrats, but proved competent with constituent ning out of the Ocean County half of persevered with Republicans in 8th service. Conventional wisdom pointed the Ocean-Burlington congressional District. If Republicans completely toward a Kim v. Gibbs or Richter (on district against two Republicans from lost their base of operations at ground the strength of his financial connec - BurlCo. Tossed out of CD2 when zero of the county, stars like Assem - tions, Trump political connections and Trump’s backing of Van Drew sig - blyman Ryan Peters and Assembly - the prospect of landing Ocean) gen - naled to Republican organizations to woman Jean Stanfield are coming off eral, but Gibbs or Richter would still back the former Dem, millionaire solid wins. have to get through the maw of either businessman David Richter launched Ocean or Burlington respectively. It his CD3 candidacy in late January, in - Overall, the Third was never going to would be an organizational challenge tent on snagging the line in Ocean be as Trump friendly as the 2nd, but to say the least for Gibbs or Richter, County. Already in possession of the then it would not quite create the not to mention Ocean County and BurlCo GOP line, Gibbs showed no same chords of righteous Gateway Burlington County GOP chairs Frank signs of relenting. and SALT deduction rage stirred up Holman and Sean Earlen.

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49 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 CD4: SMITH V. SCHMID

Multiple candidates remain in the followed by Keady, who imploded Only after Van Drew’s defection to CD4 Democratic Primary, but former amid the fallout from a profane email the GOP, she would no longer be able Foreign Service Officer Stephanie he sent to former girlfriends he to describe her opponent as New Jer - Schmid mostly had to watch progres - thought were badmouthing him on sey’s lone Republican congressman. sive Jim Keady, who had experience the campaign trail. campaigning and knew how to appeal to the leftward reaches of his party in Again, other candidates remained in a Democratic Primary; and D.C. in - the contest, but Schmid had early or - sider Tiffany Kaszuba. ganization support on the strength of her demonstrated fundraising capaci - That changed earlier this month, ties. when first Kaszuba dropped out of the contest after Schmid received the She looked like the smart bet to go up backing of the Monmouth County against incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Democratic Screening Committee; Smith (R-4).

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51 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 CD5

When Josh Gottheimer voted in I am,” said Kreibich, who is chal - The political question is, will it make early January on a resolution aimed lenging Gottheimer from the left in any difference when we get to the at curbing the president’s unilateral the June primary. She scorned Got - primary? After all, Gottheimer has power to launch military strikes, he theimer for taking every opportunity the advantage of incumbency and was one of only eight Democrats to “to side with Trump and his war - the bottom line is that the Fifth Dis - do so. mongering allies in the GOP.” trict, which ranges from the Hudson to the Delaware in northern New The vote raised some eyebrows back You can expect this type of attack to Jersey, is not a left wing district. Let’s in the Fifth District, but for Arati continue. not confuse Newton in Sussex Kreibich, it was more than a mere County with Greenwich Village. eyebrow raiser, it was a call to action. Gottheimer, who tries to steer a mid - dle course in an ideologically-diverse “I shouldn’t be shocked by Rep. Got - district, often is panned by the left. Continued on next page theimer's conservatism anymore, but

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532 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

CD5 – Continued

Gottheimer is fond of saying that he On the Republican side, there are al - will be a rallying cry for Republicans has to always remind himself that ready seven people expressing inter - this fall. Trump slightly won the dis - he’s the first Democrat to represent est in the race. It's going to take trict in 2016. the district in generations. time before we know who the serious candidates are, but one already lin - But before that happens, it's going He explained his vote by saying the ing up party support is Frank Pal - to be interesting to see how much resolution in question mirrored ex - lotta of Mahwah. Also planning to traction Kreibich's challenge picks- isting law, but more importantly per - run is John McCann, of Cresskill, up. Or in other words, will she be a haps, stressed that he remains who lost to Gottheimer in 2018. legitimate opponent for Gottheimer “committed to always putting coun - or just an irritant? try ahead of party.” In contrast to the war powers resolu - tion vote, Gottheimer did vote with That has been a winning strategy for fellow Dems in support of impeach - him in the last two congressional ing President Trump, which likely elections.

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53 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

PATERSON WARD ONE: COMPETING WILLS AT THE HEART OF SILK CITY

In any fight, the victor will exploit a only worth $200k; an Ellison Street doorstep of the mayor. And Jackson – mistake by his rival to get the crucial property for $5 million that was only Jackson could do better, or so he ar - upper-hand, and in the ongoing Pa - $1.5 million; allegations of city em - gued. terson scrap between Mayor Andre ployee mistreatment by hustler de - Sayegh and Ward One Councilman partment heads from out of town; or “When this administration started he Mike Jackson, a citywide seesaw of a down-the-throat sewer tax unfavor - had my full support,” the councilman competing visions built on equal parts able to residents. It was a role that said of Sayegh. “I never believed in ego, pride, toreador testosterone, van - seemed to come naturally for the man anything he did. He never wrote any ity, and political chicanery, all en - who had competed unsuccessfully for substantial legislation as a coun - hanced by a general societal mood of mayor in the last election: wait for the cilmember. But he has relationships inanity, but bitterly serious finally, man who beat him to make a mistake with certain people and he put to - each focused competitor undertook and then rail against him at the sched - gether a pretty good team of individ - his competing agenda while awaiting uled meetings. Sometimes even a per - uals I had a great deal of respect for. I the other’s misstep. ceived mistake could be made to look voted for things I didn’t necessarily like a colossal blunder. In Paterson, believe in, but I wanted to give them Jackson would routinely pop the there was enough going wrong that the best opportunity to succeed.” mayor on council items: a trailer park sometimes it all naturally inevitably the city paid $1.4 million for that was blended together on the front Continued on Page 56

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55 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

PATERSON WARD ONE: COMPETING WILLS AT THE HEART OF SILK CITY – Continued

Needless to say, Jackson lost faith “It’s unfortunate that after the [2018] early – and utterly. election he decided to be a perpetual obstructionist,” said the mayor. “In “A lot of press releases,” he concluded fact, he’s such an obstructionist that of the Sayegh Administration. people have taken to calling him ‘Stonewall Jackson.’ We have $130 “His intent is not about Paterson and million in state tax credits and all of the disenfranchised population of Pa - them are targeted to the First Ward. terson,” Jackson added of the mayor. Mr. Jackson wants to vote out of “His intent is to help developers and spite, not what’s right. It’s sour grapes, the political classes to enhance his po - and for someone who has a back - litical career to get to the next level – ground in professional football, he’s congress, senator – I’ve even heard solutely no political ambition. I am not a team player. some buzz that he has in mind gover - not interested in scaling political nor, which is the most ridiculous heights. I’m interested in Paterson.” “Not to mention,” Sayegh added, “he thing I’ve ever heard. Me? I have ab - Sayegh, of course, hit back. Continued on next page

536 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

PATERSON WARD ONE: COMPETING WILLS AT THE HEART OF SILK CITY – Continued never misses an opportunity to offend less a slip than an awful, ugly stumble mayor told InsiderNJ. anyone.” that left the wildly swinging council - man open for a well-timed Sayegh “However,” he added, “Nakima Red - More on that in a moment. counter. mon is a very viable candidate.”

An old jock – a football quarterback “You offended a lot of people. A lot of While it remains to be seen how the – turned businessman whose restau - people. You may not know it – you sting of Jackson’s remarks return to rant went belly up, who jumped into are smirking,” said Sayegh as Jackson haunt the coming campaign (will politics when Anthony Davis cracked smirked from the dais, according to considerable outside money go up on corruption charges in 2014, Paterson Times reporter Jayed Rah - against him to ensure that he pays for Jackson came in a distant fifth when man. the bigoted comment), others who he tried to run for mayor, posting also criticized him on that one score 1,028 votes behind 2,597 for ird nonetheless see his independence and Ward Councilman Bill McKoy, who rubber stamp resistance as plusses on decided to partner with the mayor the governing body, the sitting coun - ahead of this year’s elections. cil president among them. Jackson backed Maritza Davila for council “I’m no longer competing with Andre president, and as part of the deal ob - Sayegh,” McKoy told InsiderNJ last tained the position of council vice month. “We had the campaign for president. “I back Mike 100%,” mayor. Some have not known when a Davila told InsiderNJ. “He is a real campaign ends.” advocate for the residents of the First Ward. But I don’t plan to merely sup - He didn’t name names. port him with words. I will walk and So now it’s an election year, and at go door to door on his behalf.” But the mayor’s moment in his ongo - least three challengers have already ing turf tussle with the naysaying submitted their names to take on Jackson has a ready message to his Jackson came this past September, Jackson for his ward seat. With city - constituents as the rest of the city when the First Ward councilman, wide influence and a chance to re - gazes in on the First Ward, aware of criticizing the administration’s per - shape the council to better suit his the contest’s larger implications. “e formance on the renovation of the own will at stake, one presumes necessity to have checks and balances city’s historic Hinchliffe Stadium, ut - Sayegh will find a way to back a can - is essential,” the incumbent said. “If tered this widely condemned remark didate not named Jackson in the con - not, then you have potentially a run - in his effort to convey a conversation test. Both School Board Member away of one group controlling the between himself and the Paterson Ar - Nakima Redmon and Mosleh Uddin city.” mory developer: “I said, ‘Mr. Devel - have either political or friendly ties to oper, I respect you, I appreciate you the mayor. A third challenger, e race here relates to the 2nd Ward for valuing our city, for offering the Demetrius Davis is a local firefighter. contest, and to McKoy’s ird, where best price possible and not trying to “For now, I am not endorsing a can - potentially other opportunities exist go backwards to Jew us down.’” It was didate in the First Ward race,” the Continued on next page

57 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

PATERSON WARD ONE: COMPETING WILLS AT THE HEART OF SILK CITY – Continued for Sayegh’s allies to rid the council of to run, and I respect the men in the roots going back to the 1940’s, when Shahin Khalique (who usually lines race,” said the fledgling candidate. Mosleh’s great uncle came to Paterson up with Davila); or the mayor’s antag - “It’s going to be a tough race, run at from Harlem after leaving East Pak - onists to eject McKoy. As with those the height of politics.” istan. “Politics has always been a part other ward races, the outcome could of my life,” the 31-year old candidate impact citywide power and give an told InsiderNJ. “My father used to advantage to either the mayor or help the council and he has been very Davila (and conceivably Jackson). But supportive of the mayor. My father for the moment, in the First, the chal - came in 1990, and he always had the lengers just want to harvest enough impetus to help people, and advocates signatures to get on the May ballot. to help improve our community.”

Dissatisfied with what she sees in her Sources describe Uddin potentially – ward, Redmon served as vice presi - whether intentionally or not – spoil - dent of the school board during Pa - ing a chance for Jackson to regain terson’s transition from state to city support he once had within the Ben - control. Her knowledge of govern - gali community that resides in the ment extends to her job with the Pas - First Ward. en again, Demetrius saic County Planning Board, and as a Another lifelong Patersonian, Mosleh Davis could help the incumbent co - member of the city’s historic preserva - Uddin said if elected he would be here his own base and impair Red - tion commission. much more pro-active in the First mon. Ward. “I would focus much more on “I am a community-based person,” public safety,” Uddin said. “We need For his part, Jackson said he trusts in Redmon told InsiderNJ. “I have al - police and fire personnel to reach out his own presence within his ward as a ways been involved in the commu - to constituents faster and improve re - guy on the ground, to counter any - nity.” sponse time. Sometimes residents feel thing Sayegh shows up with in effort hopeless, and that needs to change. to get him out of there. Born and raised in Paterson and prod - uct of the Paterson Public Schools, “I absolutely believe I could make al - As for “the Jews down” comment, “I who served on the school board while lies in the administration; whoever is didn’t mean it,” the councilman said. the city made the transition from state there I believe we can work together,” “It was a term frequently used as kids to city-run schools, Redmon admit - added the educator, who works with growing up but it never had any ma - ted, “It’s going to be a hard fought middle school students and volun - licious intent. A longtime Patersonian race. It won’t be handed to any candi - teers his time as a substitute teacher is someone I lean on, a great man, date.” and assistant coach for the basketball who is Jewish. He owns a store on team. Broadway and I always fell under his For the moment, she elects to stay tutelage. I’ve gotten so many calls positive. Young Uddin comes from an influen - after that night, calls from Jewish tial political family in the Bengali “e time we have is going to be short community led by Taj Uddin, with Continued on next page

538 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

PATERSON WARD ONE: COMPETING WILLS AT THE HEART OF SILK CITY – Continued community members, who told me they didn’t feel any insult by my com - ment. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m not exempt from that.

“e mayor’s office and the media are making a bigger deal of it than the residents,” he added.

Whoever emerges from among the developing candidates will have the challenge ultimately of drawing Jack - son into a legitimate and sustained one on one, even as the councilman and the mayor cannot refrain from a rivalry bigger than the ward. “He is a completely compromised councilman with countless conflicts of interest,” said Sayegh, who sees Jackson’s slips as more considerable than those of the tongue, whose allies writhe under the gritty public interest superman narra - tive Jackson indulges, as though his cape doesn’t merely cover a multitude of other missteps, mostly at the gray nexus of politics and business. of the $130 million in state tax credits. “e potential impact skipped over From the Paterson Times: A company Pro-decriminalization and expunge - Paterson,” he told InsiderNJ. connected to Alma Realty, owners of ment but against recreational mari - Center City Mall, provided a $450,000 juana legalization, Jackson sees Sayegh If the men remain on their feet for mortgage when councilman Michael shackled to moneyed and powerful now, the next misstep could prove Jackson sold his property on Grand interests that include the influx of more problematic, to say the least, in Street that houses his restaurant Jack - marijuana grow facilities in Silk City. the context of a contest, for Jackson sonville more than two years ago, ac - “My opinion on how the mayor has more immediately, but for Sayegh cording to court records. …e lawsuit chosen to handle this is it reveals a too, if the councilman remains polit - raises questions about Jackson’s ardent great failure on his part,” the said ically alive when originally wounded support for the Center City Mall expan - councilman, pointing to the dearth of (if it wasn’t politically fatal than what sion at a time when the mayor and the six-figure salary jobs as the new indus - was it?), and reanimates, or gains as a City Council are engaged in pitched try expands locally. specific consequence of the campaign. battles over who should receive a chunk

539 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE

McKoy

The ongoing rivalry of Paterson 3rd 2018, when he ran for mayor, evi - Each deprived of his own right to sit Ward Councilman Bill McKoy and dently hoping his myriad backslap - on the throne, McKoy and Mendez former At-Large Councilman Alex ping nemeses would create such a must fight to remain in the throne Mendez has less to do with divergent blur of excitement that finally the room. styles than it does with the substance voters wouldn’t see them alongside a of citywide power, their opposing stately – if unerringly sedate – alter - “Fortunately we don’t have any new personalities and now their acrimo - native. combatants,” McKoy said Friday nious history simply making their (but, in fact, a third candidate will next collision convenient, even if it It didn’t work out that way, as get in the race: community activist was already inevitable. McKoy’s increasing frustration on Sharieff Bugg). “Paterson knows the citywide trail found outlet in both myself and former Council - While livery driver turned realtor soaring, righteously indignant ora - man Mendez. They will judge us on Mendez channels perpetual incan - tory, climaxed by his extraordinary that. descence – “A game show host,” one debate takedown of a candidate well of his detractors deadpans, hardly in on his way to winning, who, in fact, “Each ward is different,” the coun - the mood to concede bombast as a did win. And now rather than have cilman added. “The 3rd ward is a lit - public virtue; auditor McKoy, by the second floor of city hall from tle more considerate of the record.” contrast, refines the art of public aus - which to observe the unfolding 2020 terity and reserve, always using dig - ward races, McKoy, immigrant son He let the word stick. nity, not necessarily effusive of a Jamaican cooper, must defend likeability, as an organizing principle. that Ward 3 seat he has occupied for Mendez, meanwhile, spent Christ - 20 years, in the face of a man who mas in New York. “Competency is a real issue,” sees him as a warm-up act for a McKoy, the master of ironic under - showdown with the mayor who de - statement, grimly told InsiderNJ in feated them both. Continued on next page

60 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE – Continued

“Since I left the council I focused all my energy on my foundation and working on issues related to citizen - ship and services for people,” he told InsiderNJ. “They want me back on the council because they value my fight against tax increases, and so a month ago I sat down with my fam - ily and received their blessing again to run.”

The word “again” has special reso - nance here.

It started nearly eight years ago, They scrapped, and the presence of Sources say McKoy recognizes the when Ward 3 incumbent Council - a financially well-connected and or - political advantage of allying with man McKoy struggled to attain vic - ganized Pedro Rodriguez (17% of the mayor. The councilman has a tory. the vote) in the contest inhibited solid base of 1K voters. But Sayegh Mendez from defining a coalition of will undoubtedly give him structures He would survive, but Mendez Hispanic voters. Sayegh beat him in connected to the Passaic County shocked him, sending a message to a landslide, 41-22%. Still, Mendez Democratic Party. “Bill doesn’t have the city in narrowly losing to a ward beat McKoy (12%) to come in sec - a strong operation,” a source noted. icon: “I’m coming.” Two years later, ond citywide. “He has strong supporters but lacks in 2014, Mendez won an at-large boots on the ground. Andre will pro - council seat as a come-backing Jose Unofficially, that made them one vide that for him.” In Sayegh’s favor, “Joey” Torres felled ambitious Ward and one. a friendly McKoy will potentially 6 Councilman Sayegh. stop Mendez, while presumably giv - McKoy beat Mendez ward-wide in ing the mayor a voting ally on a The Dominican community had of - 2012, and then Mendez beat McKoy council occupied by numerous indi - ficially arrived. citywide in 2018. vidual personalities where the front office sometimes struggles to find a By the time the state attorney gen - Now they’re back in the 3rd Ward, majority. eral’s office separated Torres from where the allies of Sayegh have fas - city hall on corruption charges, tened themselves to the sitting coun - There’s some irony there. Mendez was ready to personally vie cilman, seeing his fourth place finish for the mayor’s seat. as less of a threat than second (albeit Part of McKoy’s resentment of distant) place finishing Mendez, Sayegh in the lead-up to the 2018 Of course, so was McKoy. whose presence on the council mayoral election stemmed from the would give him a restart runway to - 6th Ward Councilman voting last on And so was Sayegh. ward a 2022 run for mayor. Continued on next page

61 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE – Continued

difficult budget votes and opposing Still, he made his point. tax increases, sticking McKoy with a record that included aye votes on Time to move on, particularly with those increases. When McKoy ran Mendez lurking. for mayor, Sayegh used his rival’s votes on property tax increases to “I’m no longer competing with score points and ultimately stagnate Andre Sayegh,” McKoy said. “We the 3rd Ward Councilman’s candi - had the campaign for mayor. Some dacy. have not known when a campaign ends. Well, it did end.” When Sayegh became mayor and announced that he would have to The council is ordinarily too individ - raise taxes, McKoy volubly bristled. uated to present a united front against the mayor, but Council Pres - He never liked that kind of slippery ident Maritza Davila, and Council - gamesmanship. Continued on next page THE POLITICAL VOICE OF NEW JERSEY WOMEN

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62 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE – Continued men Shahin Khalique (Ward 2) and Forget about his future intentions in but I look to support those things Flavio Rivera (at-large) often run to - 3 – Mendez back on the council where I can shape the direction of gether. Sometimes they join routine could at the very least present a sig - the city. Sayegh rival Ward 1 Councilman nificant vote-to-vote obstacle to Mike Jackson as part of the opposi - Sayegh. “There’s an adage in retail, which is tion, such as it is. There’s talk that that the customer is always right. Sayegh’s allies wouldn’t mind break - McKoy? Well, the voter is always right, and as ing that up by getting behind former councilman I have an obligation to Councilman Mohammed Akhtaruz - He’s willing to work with the mayor. work with that individual who is zaman to take out Khalique next mayor for the good of the voters,” year. The others tend to buck the “My job as a councilman is to pro - the councilman added. mayor when they want. Strictly on vide advice and consent,” he said. the political front, At-Large Coun - “That has been my approach: to rec - A source familiar with the develop - cilwoman Lilisa Mimms is all in with ognize when the campaign ends and ing race told InsiderNJ to expect – her colleague, 4th Ward Council - governance begins. Mayor Sayegh woman Ruby Cotton. and I have had our disagreements, Continued on next page

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63 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE – Continued as if there were any doubt – a dogfight. Bill wants to keep going, so they’re there. I think he has done enough Changing demographics may appear good, Bill and Andre. They both see a damage for 20 years. to favor the always auditioning common opponent.” “These are complaints that are not Mendez (no to mention the presence coming from me only,” the former at- in the contest of Bugg), and eight years Of course, Mendez has a template for large councilman added. “They are ago “Alex almost got him. But this is how to beat McKoy: Sayegh’s 2018 coming from the taxpayers.” the precursor for the mayor’s race. mayoral campaign. His early attacks on his opponent sound like the stories If Mendez is fighting the mayor-al - “This is the mayor’s race right here,” that sank McKoy citywide. lied McKoy with the mayor’s mes - the source added. “For Sayegh, this is sage in an effort to eventually get back his [2022] reelection. You beat him “I think my biggest concern about at the mayor, questions persist about [Mendez] here, you keep him out of how government is being run right the role Rodriguez (who finished third the way. I’m not saying Mendez beats now is how many tax increases we’re in the 2018 race) will play next year. Andre if he beats Bill, but he will have seeing, including a new way of billing Mendez is somewhat coy on the sub - moved a step closer to keeping himself the residents for sewer,” Menedez said. ject. in the public eye in city hall, and the “The councilman has been voting in mayor can’t want that. And of course, favor of tax increases since he was Continued on next page HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2020!

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64 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

MCKOY V. MENDEZ: THE DIMENSIONS OF PATERSON’S 2020 3RD WARD RACE – Continued

“Pedro, since he left, they see me as a Unexcitable McKoy said he’s ready, his 3rd Ward Councilman added. “Gun new leader working very close with indignant outsider’s message from the violence is plaguing the entire nation him,” he said. “I am blessed to have 2018 race tempered by mild, concilia - and we too are all wrestling with those the full force of the community behind tory praise for the establishment. Of problems.” me.” course, he can’t resist an almost William Carlos Williams “every man Finally, he said, the people will judge Sources say the ebullient Mendez is a city” flourish. “I’m always opti - him alongside Mendez and see a more could vastly benefit by having Ro - mistic about my city, because I am part consistent philosophy. “One of serv - driguez with him. of it,” he said, before hastily adding, ice,” McKoy said. “I was elected five “He’s not a great fundraiser,” a source “We have made strides with Mayor times not because of popularity but said in reference to the former coun - Sayegh, working with the DCA [De - service; while Mendez will always be cilman. “He’s simply pure energy, a partment of Community Affairs]. challenged in terms of being honest great retail campaigner, but beyond and transparent.” that there’s not much to him. Pedro “The governor has been supportive, would give him what he lacks, which too,” he added dutifully. Finally, it will come down to the 3rd is what McKoy lacks without Andre: a Ward, he pointedly added. great operation.” Crime is stubborn, of course. “This is not a business for people mak - Vote by mail will play a big role, too, “We need to improve on the economic ing a name for themselves,” said the everyone agrees. conditions at the grassroots level,” the longtime councilman.

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IN NEW 65 JERSEY njrealtor.com YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

THE GREATEST GRUDGE MATCH OF THEM ALL: PATERSON’S WARD 2

There was no more bitter collision in 2016 than Councilman Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman versus challenger Shahin Khalique in Paterson’s Ward 2. Mail-in ballots proved the difference, as Khalique removed the first Bangladeshi-American from office in a contest decided in court. Now Akhtarruzzaman is back, seeking not only his old seat – but political revenge. Certainly, the city will be keeping an eye out for the presence of Henry Sosa, mail-in ballot provocateur, who’s worked with both councilmen, and on the winning side both times.

SON OF JOE VAS WANTS TO TAKE ON DIAZ IN PERTH AMBOY

Perth Amboy’s Joe Vas intimidated In 2008, only a Catholic daily com - Arthur Kill-Raritan cross-river em - other men. Broad-shouldered and municant bankteller named Wilda pire with a 58-42% win. big and intellectually imposing, he Diaz – no prior political experience would tower over them. City Hall – dared run against the powerful in - His 18-year local run broken, the took on a quasi-religious significance cumbent, stunning New Jersey’s po - humbled intimidator later went to when people began referring to the litical establishment (Vas pulled the slammer on corruption charges, sprawling, unfinished edifice as the double duty as an assemblyman in Vas Mahal. Trenton) when she detonated his Continued on next page

66 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

SON OF JOE VAS WANTS TO TAKE ON DIAZ IN PERTH AMBOY – Continued

including money laundering, misuse book page with a campaign-style of his mayor’s office, mail fraud and photo accompanied by the slogan: illegal campaign contributions. “Together Perth Amboy can do bet - ter.” One source said senior was Now, 12 years later, the former dis - pushing junior more than junior is graced mayor’s son, local attorney pushing junior and doubts junior ul - Joseph B. Vas, wants to topple Diaz, timately runs. as do others, Councilman Joel Pabon, Sr. among them, in a devel - But the young fledgling candidates oping local contest with murky rules says no. of engagement as the consequence of “All I can do is stand on my merits,” an unsettled ballot question case he told InsiderNJ. “The sentiment conceived by Diaz’s enemies to cast in Perth Amboy is Perth Amboy can her out of power. Last month, allies do better. I am motivated by being a of the younger Vas updated his Face - Continued on next page

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67 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

SON OF JOE VAS WANTS TO TAKE ON DIAZ IN PERTH AMBOY – Continued lifelong resident. I have two children Of course, comparisons to his we are raising here, I am a business jammed-up father are inevitable. owner and a local attorney who has successfully done over 1k tax appeals “The first thing is I’m my own to help people lower their property man,” the younger Vas said. “I have taxes, and I get to hear from the peo - confidence that Perth Amboy voters ple. If you look at last year’s election, will judge me on my merits. They it told a lot about the mayor, as all will try to put a little stigma on my the councilpeople – former allies – name but the positives cannot be went against her. It signified a part - forgotten either. There are a lot of ing of ways with this administra - positives.” tion.” Continued on next page He cites the usual issues: taxes, crime, the overall condition of the community.

Continued on Page 49

68 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

Once a tentative Diaz ally, Pabon, 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off machine from City Hall; going toe- too, this month unveiled “Joel between the top two vote-getters. In - to-toe in public with an operative Pabon for Mayor 2020: Character, siders interpret the move as a way to who turned against her; starting out Loyalty, Family man, Experience, nail the mayor, who has won two as a Senator Joe Vitale (D-19) ally Retired from US Post office and an citywide reelection campaigns before that relationship fell apart; Veteran of our Armed sevices that against divided opposition without and fighting either Hurricane Sandy, will tell us when Joel stands up Perth receiving a majority (37% against the local Democratic Party Organi - Amboy we have a tested Mayor at Billy Delgado and others in 2012 zation, the county, both, and maybe table who we can finally say is a and 48% against Pabon and others even all three simultaneously over leader of utmost integrity, honesty in 2016). The public question passed the course of her time in office. She and compassion for all of the citizens on Nov. 5 of this year, however, the started with Joe Vas, upending a near and far.” He lost once, in 2016, city subsequently filed a lawsuit power-monger who proved corupt. leaving insiders also jittery about Vas against the Middlesex County clerk But in a way, the defiant, scrappy looking elsewhere for a champion. seeking an invalidation of the results Diaz – the only Latina mayor of Some have their eye on Councilman on grounds that some mail-in ballots Puerto Rican descent in the state, has Helmin Caba, chair of the local did not contain the public question. ended up fighting the male-domi - Democratic Party, regarded as an - nated New Jersey political establish - other mobilizing challenger, whose This from Gannett: ment, preparing for next year’s presence could split the city between showdown in part by backing pro - “The lawsuit, filed in the civil divi - core Puerto Rican support for the gressive Bernie Sanders for president sion of Superior Court in New mayor and Dominicans behind the over Garden State party machine Brunswick a week before Election councilman. goldenrod Cory Booker. Perth Day, claims that the public question Amboy takes on added political rel - asking voters if they want runoff evance as a backyard 7-1 Demo - elections for municipal races when cratic-advantage burgh in the no candidate receives more than District 19 sandbox of Speaker Craig 50% of the vote did not make it Coughlin (D-19) of Woodbridge, onto some mail-in ballots. …If the who in lame duck released the sub - court grants the city’s wishes in its sequently signed into law driver’s li - lawsuit, the results would be invali - censes for undocumented workers dated and the question would have with one eye on Amboy, where the to be placed on the ballot next No - machine – at times apoplectic over vember — and the county would her independence – is ever aware of have to cover the costs associated the mayor’s refusal to kowtow. with the public question and the legal fees.” What started with Diaz versus Vas, Right now, that court challenge is could end that way, in another the contest hanging over the contest, mano-a-mano amid freaky echoes of More people could get in the devel - and conceivably a significant divid - 2008 (her detractors continue to oping race, muddying and making ing line between loss and conquest. voice irritation over her backtrack on that much more intriguing an unre - an initial promise to serve only one solved ballot question advanced by Diaz has gutted through years of in - term) or simply prove yet one more Councilman Fernando Irizarry, fighting in her waterfront city, beat - opportunity, despite reanimated for - which would require the winner of ing Vas then overseeing the removal mer local imperial name ID, for scat - the 2020 mayor’s contest to receive of much of his entrenched political tered casualties.

69 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY

Senate President Steve Sweeney’s (D- 3) unique powers of juggling the often cross purposes of labor, in addi - tion to the state’s financial troubles, the politics of a bicameral legislature, a party divide on the heels of a bad year for South Jersey Democrats, and his own lingering (in this case proba - bly inevitable) bitternesses, will be tested in the coming months as he specifically handles three complex and stalled (or recently pulled for reassess - ment) labor bills. An ironworker by trade, Sweeney has always shouldered the labors of labor with a particular sense of movement relish, even if his brothers and sisters SENATE BILL NO. 4219 projects, pumping stations and water on the public sector side of the equa - and sewage treatment plants,” wrote tion began calling for his ejection The bill expands the permissible use Pocino, whom some sources say is the from the ranks as early as the mid of project labor agreements (PLAs) target of the bill. “These categories 2000’s, long before he landed the sen - beyond contracts for building-based were exempt from the law, because ate presidency in 2009. But at his ten public works projects, which boiled while the projects can be large in year mark leading the senate, and ar - down to its essential political parts scope, they usually only involve a few guably himself in a less than com - pits Building Trades on trades, specif - of the trades. These particular trades manding position in the aftermath of ically the Laborers versus Operating have worked together and for the a party chairmanship fight that oc - Engineers and, to a somewhat lesser same contractors for many years, so curred without the input of his re - extent, plumbers and carpenters. Greg that the work issues that a PLA re - gion, Sweeney faces herculean tasks Lalevee’s Operating Engineers sup - solves are not present in these indus - indicative of fractures in his profes - ported the bill in Senate Committee tries. Additionally, in this case, sional franchise far beyond the usually when it came up for a vote and are legislating the use of PLAs won’t even easy to identify Building Trades versus looking forward to the bill being have the added benefit of unionizing public sector variety. posted in both the Senate and Assem - the workforce on these projects, as To put it gently, he has his hands full, bly. Ray Pocino of the Laborers, how - unions already maintain a significant perhaps never the intended object of ever, shot off a letter to lawmakers share of the work in this sector in organized labor as it undertook over firmly opposing the legislation. New Jersey. two decades to completely control the state legislature under the consider - “In the original PLA statute, certain “Given that this sector is already able auspices of a labor-molded senate types of work were exempt from the highly unionized, it is difficult to see use of PLAs, namely transportation president. Continued on next page

70 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued

how adding the use of PLAs in this In conclusion, Pocino pointed out to area would benefit New Jersey’s work - lawmakers how any position on the force, infrastructure, or the taxpayers measure would force them to pick a paying for these projects,” the labor side in a dispute, conceivably worse leader noted. “What it would cer - than a political pile-up but a train - tainly accomplish is to diminish the wreck for Democrats, which Speaker bang taxpayers get for their dollars Craig Coughlin (D-19) is certainly spent on these projects by creating aware of as he mulls over options on costly jurisdictional disputes between his side of the legislature. unions in a sector that is currently sta - ble and efficient. It is unclear what Sweeney wants it done. problem, if any, this legislation is aimed at solving, but the disruption Coughlin, heeding Pocino’s point it would create in this sector is easy to about splitting his entire caucus into foresee.” Continued on next page

71 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued hostile Building Trades encampments, Trumka and company want beach - ironworker – being “anti-worker.” wants time and contemplative space. heads in California and on the East Coast. “He has to go back to the drawing What good could there be for his cau - board with the narrative,” a source ad - cus fixing bayonets on either side of a But on-the-ground critics pushed mitted. “This is not an anti-worker Lalevee-Pocino divide? back strongly in committee. bill. It is a worker protections bill.”

“Craig doesnt want to get in the mid - The source said Greenstein and La - dle of that,” a source told InsiderNJ. gana are less jittery about the legisla - “He wants to put jobs in the pipeline, tion now than they were in not fight over a shrinking pie.” committee.

It’s a problem. Still, there’s some work to do, the source acknowledged as Sweeney S-4204 pulled the bill in the current session, grumbling about the hazards of The bill fairly staggered out of the miniaturizing national labor politics senate Labor Committee, with Chair - into a state like New Jersey. man Fred Madden (D-4) solemnly bearing multiple panels of critics, Sen - S-5815 (e so-called Chapter 78 ators Linda Greenstein (D-14) and Relief Bill) Joe Lagana (D-38) heavily caveating their “aye” votes, and Senator Tony This is the big one, reflective of lon - Bucco (R-25) opposing. Sweeney’s allies say of the three big standing labor bifurcation in NJ. labor bills on Sweeney’s plate, this one Aimed at management misuse of in - has the best chance of passing sooner Tired after eight years of his partner - dependent contract labor, the bill is a rather than later, the consequence of ship with Governor Chris Christie, national AFL-CIO hand-me down, a stepped-up PR campaign aimed at the New Jersey Education Association dropped directly into Sweeney’s lap by educating opponents about the bill. If (NJEA) in 2017 undertook the most the coast-to-coast-sized allies of Pres - Communications Workers of Amer - expensive legislative fight in the his - ident Richard Trumka. Written in the ica (CWA) red shirts remain tory of of the country to budge same vein as a recently enacted con - Sweeney’s most vociferous critics Sweeney from power. troversial California law, the bill re - going back to his partnership with quires a designation of individuals Governor Chris Christie to overhaul They tried to bully, and in the who perform services for remunera - public pensions and benefits, a whole process, got bullied. tion as employees, not independent new antagonistic flank in the form of contractors, subject to the provisions indie contractors took shape against Building Trades Boss Bill Mullen of employment law, and entitled to all this bill, reanimating an old message grabbed a bullhorn on the morning of remedies for any violations. of Sweeney – the suspenders-wearing Continued on next page

72 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued

From Politico last year: “One bill would switch newly-hired public em - ployees or those with just a few years on the job into a pension plan that more closely resembles a 401(k). The other would reduce the state’s share of health care costs. They estimate the proposals could save hundreds of mil - lions of dollars in the short term, and billions over the long haul. Sweeney declined to say how the proposals might impact the budget process. He said he’s waiting to see Murphy’s spending plan, which will be unveiled Tuesday. But the Senate president has drawn a line in the sand, declaring Election Day and – like a suspenders- A longtime senate ally of the NJEA in that action needs to be taken to rein wearing soothsayer, ominously the aftermath of the organization’s de - in pension and health care costs and warned of consequences for the railed effort to derail Sweneey told In - that the days of raising taxes to place teacher’s organization. siderNJ that if he had to pick between a Band-Aid on the state’s finances are the two, he’d pick Sweeney. While over.” Sweeney won, and proceeded down a Murphy picked the millionaire’s tax as path of political payback, his own his main instrument to tackle a pen - quest to place New Jersey on stronger But Coughlin (and certainly Murphy) sion payment-saddled state facing the appeared less than enthusiastic. financial footing dovetailing beauti - prospect of a $50 billion unfunded li - fully with his own crystallized Count ability and reeling amid 11 credit In the words of one statehouse source, of Monte Cristo conviction to get re - downgrades during the Christie years, venge on the union that tried to do “The speaker has not been comfort - Sweeney rolled out what he dubbed able with Path to Progress, and the him in, and their allies, among them his Path to Progress plan. Governor Phil Murphy, who inciden - governor is not happy with it beyond tally had outdueled Sweeney to be - some of the low-hanging fruit in the come governor. proposal.” Mischief runs amok until it fuses to - Coughlin, in fact, is much more gether with politics. amenable to Chapter 78 reform, that major piece of legislation sought by The caucus was game, too. the NJEA. On the same week the NJEA issued Sweeney for years had given them its 2019 legislative endorsements, the what they wanted, and possessed a tal - speaker dropped a skeletal bill that ent for handling competing egos. Continued on next page

73 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued met the benchmark of some of the age of their salaries, not to health care clear. But what made things harder labor organization’s longstanding pen- policies negotiated by school districts. for Sweeney was the labor organiza - ben worries. The bill also requires a cap.” tion’s late in the year alliance with South Jersey Power Broker George Significantly it (S-5815) would pro - Sweeney wasn’t very happy about Norcross III ahead of 2020 federal vide relief from Chapter 78. Accord - Coughlin dropping the bill. elections and Norcross’ brother, U.S. ing to NJTV Correspondent Brenda Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) on the Flanagan: “Public school teachers Sweeney and NJEA Prez Marie Blis - ballot amid threats from the left. claim a 2011 law called Chapter 78 tan had been talking, meeting, trying, forces them to pay a share of insur - in fact, to sing something salvageable Not only Coughlin, but presumably ance premiums that have increased so out of that 2017 debacle but it was other Norcross allies, liked the bill. quickly that it’s outpacing their an - hard.Sweeney knew the organization Saves money. $300 million, the nual raises so they’re losing money. To was ultimately (and even incremen - speaker said. fix it, they’re backing a bill that would tally, let’s face it) be with Governor link their premium share to a percent - Phil Murphy. They had made that Continued on next page

74 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued

Chapter 78 relief. Was there a deal at hand, or to be every town he set foot in with an ar - had? gument to reform, turn around and That made the NJEA happy. move their homerun legislation with - Would Coughlin absorb some ele - out looking defeated, in bad weather But Sweeney still hates it. ments of Path to Progress in the As - already for the South, given Senator He’s got his Path to Progress plan. sembly, in exchange for Sweeney Rob Andrzejczak’s (D-1) loss last year moving Chapter 78 relief in the Sen - and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s (R-2) This would step on it. ate? But what key elements of Path to defection to President Donald J. Progress wouldn’t critically alienate Trump’s GOP? The bad blood went too deep. Coughlin north of the state’s dividing line? No one was ready to give Sweeney a A band aid bill. ten count. He personally had engen - He won’t post. And how could Sweeney, nearly char - dered good will based on perform - iot-wheeled by the NJEA in 2017, de - Not the version floating now. monized by public sector workers in Continued on next page

75 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REVEILLE FOR SWEENEY: THREE BILLS REVEAL NEW LEVELS OF 2020 COMPLEXITY – Continued ance. The South had access to too tions; and the wars with labor were much money. They still had five solid bigger than they were once, demon - senate votes (Sweeney, Cruz-Perez, strably convergent in the paths of Madden, Singleton, and Beach; and if three labor bills, unresolved in the they stood to lose a sixth, Addiego, in new year, with a state hanging in the 2021, they looked to go all out in balance. LD2, a source said). But the resolu - tion of the Democratic chair battle suggested the potential for other de - velopments that did not always in - clude the South and Sweeney inevitably occupying an advantageous position vis-a-vis all other organiza -

76 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

REPUBLICANS TO WATCH IN THE (DEVELOPING!) 2021 GUBERNATORIAL CONTEST

With a million more registered De - a tremendous flip from the days of not Afghanistan, the one in Trenton mocrats than Republicans living in surfing the high waves brought on by between Sweeney and Murphy, or the Garden State—some thriving, Hurricane Sandy. Even multi-mil - Norcross and the North—Republi - others not—it seems like any GOP lionaire executive Bob Hugin, despite cans have some reason to feel opti - aspirant looking to warm the seat a heroic effort in time and capital, was mistic about taking a chance for the presently manned by Governor Phil unable to oust a scandal-embroiled state’s chief executive post. Murphy is in for an uphill battle. The Senator Bob Menendez, facing a fed - long shadow of Chris Christie on the eral trial while on the campaign. Enter, then, five contenders to watch: state and Donald Trump on the na - NJ GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt, tion as a whole continues to blanket Nevertheless, as Christie was able to former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, New Jersey’s centrist, libertarian, neo - turn his high into a low, Democrats Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bram - con, paleocon, and just-leave-me- have often proven capable of snatch - nick, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi alone Right. When Christie left ing defeat from the jaws of victory. and businessman Joseph “Rudy” office, he was polling at historic lows, Perhaps, with the Forever War—no, Rullo.

77 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE CAPTAIN

Chairman Doug Steinhardt is a part - November of 2017. Steinhardt was in by the bluster from the Oval Office. ner with Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & command when the Blue Wave of But under Steinhardt’s watch, the Re - Cappelli, a firm he helped create. As 2018 crashed over New Jersey, elimi - publican Party has arrived with reefed a partner with former Democratic nating all of the Republican congress - sails. It seems likely that the ship will Governor Jim Florio, Steinhardt is im - men but Rep. Chris Smith. The wave stay afloat and continue to navigate mediately seen as someone who is ca - may have been a victory for Murphy, the tempestuous New Jersey political pable of interparty business, but it was also seen by many—perhaps waters, regardless of whether or not something Americans who are weary unfairly, but just the same—as a refer - Blue Waves crest over the bow. The of bitter partisan politics—especially endum on Donald Trump, who has question remains to be seen whether on the national level—may find ap - largely ignored New Jersey until Con - or not Steinhardt can take that execu - pealing. But more than this, Stein - gressman Jeff Van Drew turned in his tive experience, as well as survivalist hardt has executive experience under blue card for a red one. The 2019 political leadership, and drop anchor his belt. The Belvidere product stud - elections, however, saw some gains for in the Governor’s Chair. Moreover, his ied law in Pennsylvania and returned the battered Republican Party, most presumed timed departure from the to New Jersey, serving as the Mayor of notably the ascension of State Senator state party chairmanship more than ca - Lopatcong from January 2000 to Jan - Mike Testa in LD1. Steinhardt lashed sually intrigues party members who uary 2015. He became the Warren himself to the wheel and can take wonder who can substantially take his County Republican Chairman in credit for leading the Party through the place at the tiller. 2004 and was elected unanimously to storm. A storm, as it was, whose captain the party as state chairman in winds may have been largely blown up

78 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE BUILDER

misconduct with women. A double- edged sword? Ciattarelli could be an attractive candidate for conservative Democrats tired of Murphy’s hard left agenda, or Trump-weary Republicans who want to be back to business as usual. But his condemnation could come back to haunt him should Trump win re-election in 2020. Fur - ther, Ciattarelli’s strength is derived from his on-the-ground business expe - rience. As a self-made man not tied to huge financial firms, he can tout cred - ibility with those Republicans who constitute the majority of the party— the ones without six-figure incomes. His campaign platform also called for a number of ambitious reforms with education, the root of so much of the Jack Ciattarelli – a former member of one to aim higher, Ciattarelli then tax burden, at its core. He has also the General Assembly – has already an - threw his hat into the ring for the gov - kept in the public eye—outside the ex - nounced his intention to run for gov - ernorship at the end of Governor clusively political readership—by par - ernor. Between 2011 and 2018, Christie’s term, running in a primary ticipating in columns such as “Straight Ciattarelli represented Assembly Dis - against Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Hirsh Talk with John & Jack” where he and trict 16 and from 2014 served as Singh, Joseph Rullo (see below), and Democrat John Wisniewski discuss House Minority Whip. Ciattarelli Steve Rogers. It was there his ascent civic and political issues from different comes from a business background, ran out of steam. The rest is history. perspectives to a more “everyman” au - earning an MBA from New Jersey’s A good businessman knows time is dience than the wonkocracy. The mar - Seton Hall, and owning and operating money so Ciattarelli has been making keting publisher has indeed been a medical marketing firm, Galen Pub - his rounds and taking ‘outside the po - marketing himself. If it is sufficient to lishing. Now 58, Ciattarelli entered sition’ views to focus on campaigning, bump past fellow Republicans and politics from the ground up, starting but with an insider’s experience. He then the well-heeled Democrat Ma - as a councilman in Raritan in 1990 for has fired a number of salvoes at the chine in 2021 is something only time five years, becoming council president. governor and his progressive agenda, will tell. Twelve years later, Ciattarelli was and is immune from at least one attack elected a Member of the Somerset from the left: he’s no Trump shill. He Board of Chosen Freeholders, a post declared in 2015 that “he is not fit to he occupied until 2011 when he en - be President of the United States” fol - tered the General Assembly. Always lowing Trump’s allegations of sexual

79 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE SURVIVOR

Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bram - pessimistic Republicans, but he man - by a leadership with no regard for nick’s roots are in Plainfield, and they aged to successfully navigate the cam - thrift. In December, Bramnick said, run deep. A partner in Bramnick, Ro - paign trail as his own man, ultimately “The legislature didn’t have a voting driguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, retaining District 21 in the besieged session in six months. And when we he obtained his J.D. from the Hofstra Republican sphere. If Bramnick can returned the Democrats posted bills University of Law and began his polit - be characterized as anything, it’s as a giving criminals voting rights and fi - ical career in his hometown, sitting on nuts and bolts New Jersey Republican. nancial aid, driver’s licenses for undoc - the Plainfield City Council from Extolling the need to return to a civi - umented immigrants, and make 1984-1991. He was the Municipal lized dialogue, Bramnick does not fit independent contracts jobless.” Bram - Chair for Plainfield, keeping a local the Trump Republican model and has nick made it clear that his race was not perch. When Tom Kean, Jr. entered wanted to put the grown ups back in to be categorized in a national context, the senate, Bramnick was able to fill charge of the conversation. In short, where Trump dominates all. He par - the vacancy for District 21 in 2003. he’s the Republican your parents knew ried and dodged Democrat efforts to He rose to Whip and succeeded Alex and loved—or at the very least re - dislodge his incumbency and, like DeCroce as Republican Assembly spected. Bramnick lamented the Cyrano, managed to pull it off with Leader on the latter’s death in 2012. Democratic legislative priorities during grace, without pomposity but the oc - Fast forward to Election 2019 and the lame duck session, asserting that casional demonstration of his quick Bramnick was politically marked for property taxes and more crucial bread wit—a true survivor. dead by some smug Democrats and and butter issues were being ignored

80 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE FIGHTER

Holly Schepisi has yet to confirm or the Bergen County Republican Or - wagged when a video appeared of a deny whether or not she has plans to ganization tapped Schepisi to take her campaign volunteer being accosted by run for governor, but if she does, any place for the 2011 election. She held Birkner himself for signs allegedly on primary opponent would be in for a her own against Anthony Iannarelli property leased by the Republican spirited scrap with the savvy River Vale and Michael McCarthy, holding the campaign. In the end, Schepisi dealt based attorney and Assemblywoman seat ever since. When she suffered a a blow to her opponents that, while for the 39th District. With her back - brain aneurysm in March of 2015, she not necessarily a knock out, took them ground in poli-sci from Catholic Uni - fought her way through and, after re - out of the ring with a memorable versity of America and a J.D. from covering from surgery, continued her bruising. If Trenton does, in fact, fall Fordham, she sharpened her sword public service. In the 2019 election, into her sights — she is known to say first as Township Attorney for River she slugged her way successfully “nothing is impossible”— the Bergen Vale, as a public defender in Oakland, through a campaign against John lawyer might well have the stamina and as an alternate prosecutor for both Birkner and Gerald Falotico with and strength to mount a serious pri - Westwood and Old Tappan. With the Robert Auth as her running mate. The mary challenge. retirement of Charlotte Vandervalk, campaign took an ugly spin and jaws

81 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 THE OUTSIDER

In the lead up to Governor Phil Mur - Trenton Democrats. A movement con - tional weight and conventional base phy signing into law expanded oppor - servative who is again trying to claim construction possessed by the other tunity for non-New Jersey residents to that statewide lane, this time in 2021, candidates. Such a foundation would obtain driver’s licenses (a law that ex - Rullo is a graduate of the College of be critical for any challenger attempt - pressly targets undocumented workers New Jersey and a self-employed busi - ing to dislodge a millionaire sitting living in the state), failed 2017 guber - nessman. While he lacks the baggage governor, but the Facebook-hyperac - natorial candidate Joseph “Rudy” associated with established elected of - tive Rullo persists in making the case Rullo took to social media to excoriate ficials, he arguably lacks the organiza - for his frank, everyman candidacy..

EDITOR’S NOTE: There will be others. But one name that recurs in GOP circles with some regularity is that of Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, chair of the Monmouth County GOP, whose statewide ambitions stirred perhaps as he watched Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno – herself a former Monmouth sheriff - scale the dizzying heights of power only to plummet in the disastrous aftermath of Christie’s Bridgegate flameout.

82 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

AN OCEAN OF RED MAGA HATS AT THE WILDWOOD CONVENTION CENTER IN WILDWOOD WELCOMED THE PRESIDENT TO A PACKED HOUSE.

The Center was said to have a capacity The president was announced and en - Iranian General Solemani, saying he of 7,500 but over 100,000 tickets had tered to the song “Proud To Be An was “a man actively planning new at - been requested. The chosen few man - American.” He opened by saying, “I tacks, but we stopped him cold. Yet aged to score a space inside to listen to love New Jersey and I’m thrilled to be Washington Democrats like Crazy the president speak for about an hour. back in the Garden State, together Bernie and Nervous Nancy Pelosi op - we’re achieving historic victories for posed our action to save American Earlier, President Trump and Con - New Jersey families.” lives.” gressman Jeff Van Drew arrived to - gether on Air Force One and drove in He spoke of a booming economy, While the Trump administration was by motorcade. This was the president’s record employment rates for New Jer - “creating jobs and killing terrorists,” first time holding a re-election rally in sey and the nation as a whole, touted Trump said “Democrats are obsessed New Jersey, a state typically seen as the destruction of ISIS and hailed the with crazy witch hunts and partisans hostile to Trump, but he arrived to a killing of Iranian General Solemani. crusades” and asserted that the “oppo - cheering crowd. Protesters and heck - sition party” was unable to win elec - lers were no where inside the venue, “Thanks to the courage of our war - tions, so they were determined to steal only the true faithful. Any opposition riors,” Trump said, “the ISIS caliphate the 2016 election. was relegated to the streets, amid has been totally destroyed and its sav - throngs of Trump supporters who had age founder and leader al Baghdadi is been unable to gain entry. dead.” He referenced the death of Continued on next page

83 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

AN OCEAN OF RED MAGA HATS AT THE WILDWOOD CONVENTION CENTER IN WILDWOOD WELCOMED THE PRESIDENT TO A PACKED HOUSE. – Continued

“Radical rage filled socialists,” the pres - who kept his word to ensure that the leaders have instituted sanctuary poli - ident declared, “the Democrat Party is eyes of the world are on South Jersey cies’ that result in ‘dangerous preda - the socialist party, maybe worse, voters and all of us. The USA is a great na - tors’ begin released.” He took aim at are making a mass exodus and we are tion, the greatest that civilization has sanctuary cities—a staple of Gov. Phil welcoming them to the Republican ever known, do we want to keep it that Murphy’s platform—saying that ICE Party with wide open arms. And the way?” was being hindered in its work to ar - Republican party is doing great.” rest and remove “criminal aliens.” With that segue, and with Democrats The president denounced the media “What the hell is going on? The crim - thoroughly trashed, the president then from time to time during his speech, inal aliens are free to continue their welcomed the architect of his visitation the first time eliciting a response of crime spree.” During his speech, to New Jersey: Congressman Jeff Van boos and downward thumbs as the Trump spoke of Cumberland and Drew. Van Drew, who had been a De - crowd turned to heap scorn on the Middlesex County incidents where il - mocrat until he switched parties, was cameramen and journalists broadcast - legal or undocumented immigrants hailed as “very brave” and “a coura - ing the rally to the wider country. Un - had been arrested, released, and com - geous leader who has had enough of surprisingly, he spoke of “fake news” mitted crimes again but without men - [Democrat] extremism, socialism, vile and said they were “very dishonest.” tioning specifics. hoaxes and scams.” Trump resumed the podium and ac - Trump thanked ICE and law enforce - knowledged NJ GOP Chairman Dou - With Congressman Van Drew on his ment, saying they were “tough” and it glas Steinhart and Trump campaign side, Trump may have seen him and wasn’t “a job you want to do.” He also co-chairs Senators Pennachio and his change of party as a doorway into thanked the president of Mexico who Testa. He also saluted Kellyanne Con - a previously untouchable blue state. It he said had deployed Mexican soldiers way, herself a New Jersey native, and seems fitting, then, that Trump at - to protect their northern, or the Amer - said former Governor Chris Christie tempted to establish a political beach - ican southern, border. was a “great guy.” Aside from Van head at a shore town in New Jersey. “I Drew, Conway was the only other per - have to tell you a few weeks ago Jeff The bulk of the speech consisted of son to speak. was one of the few brave and princi - equal parts achievement on the part of pled Democrat lawmakers who stood “Mr. President,” Conway said, “I think his administration, and condemnation up to the House Democrats and their South Jersey is Trump country.” Con - of the Democratic Party. On the econ - outrageous abuse of power,” Trump way cited achievements including “two omy, Trump blasted Presidents Bush said. “…they can’t win an election so dead terrorists” and said “that’s two and Obama, saying under “your fa - they’re trying to steal an election, it’s terms.” vorite president” individuals were not happening folks, Jeff had the guts earning more than ever. From topics to stand against the left wing fanat - President Trump did not directly men - on healthcare reform, manufacturing, ics….” tion any New Jersey politicians other immigration, and national defense, than Van Drew, Steinhardt, Christie, Trump said that he had accomplished Van Drew spoke briefly to the audi - Testa, and Pennacchio. He did, how - more in the first three years than any ence, praising the president and exalt - ever, blast immigration-related policies other president in American history. ing the achievements to which he lays established by Trenton. “Right here in claim. Van Drew said, “He is a man New Jersey, your state’s Democrat Continued on next page

84 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

AN OCEAN OF RED MAGA HATS AT THE WILDWOOD CONVENTION CENTER IN WILDWOOD WELCOMED THE PRESIDENT TO A PACKED HOUSE. – Continued

“The US lost 60,000 factories because of stupid trade deals and bad leader - ship,” under Bush and Obama.

“US is now the number one producers of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world,” he said to cheers. “We don’t need anybody else’s anymore, it’s so nice.” He said, “what happened was incredible” but “extreme liberals” were imperiling progress through initiatives such as “The Green New Deal.”

On healthcare, Trump cracked the whip, saying, “Washington Democrats have never been more extreme than they are right now, these people are crazy. They’re taking their cues from socialists like Bernie, pushing a gov - ernment takeover of healthcare to strip incorporate elements of New Jersey Jersey was his vessel, and Trump was 180 million Americans of their private into what was really a national address. very explicit in terms of his word choice plans. The plans of every Democrat “From Morristown to Vineland, and that New Jersey was not the problem, would demolish the economy of New Paterson to Pennington, and Camden but specifically the Democratic leader - Jersey.” He couched the situation in to Clifton, all the way down the shore ship—although he never mentioned simple, stark terms. “Healthcare is fi - to Ocean City and Sea Isle and Stone anyone in particular, nor did he address nally working and [Democrats] want Harbor, and right here in Wildwood, issues such as the state’s strict gun con - to destroy it.” this has always been the home of the trol or high taxation. Only on sanctuary proud, loyal, and very very incredible cities and immigration policy did the Democrats were in no uncertain Americans, and my friends. They’re president seem to incorporate a particu - terms, the bad guys. He described tough, they’re smart, they’re great peo - lar state-level issue as part of his speech. them as the party of high taxes, high ple, it’s called Jersey. This is the state crime, open borders, late term abor - that pioneered the boardwalk, the Trump closed his rally saying, “Together, tion, and corruption. “Democrats diner, and the motion picture, and we will make America wealthy again. stand for crime, corruption, and chaos. gave the world American greats like We will make American strong again. Republicans stand for law, order, and Thomas Edison and Frank Sinatra, We will make America proud again. We justice.” Old Blue Eyes,” Trump said, “he was will make America safe again. And we a piece of work!” will make America great again! Thank While relatively little of the president’s you New Jersey!” speech was New Jersey specific, he did Without any doubt, Trump was mas - ter of the stage and the occasion. New

85 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020 A VIEW FROM THE BAR

A column by Fred Snowflack. The guy standing next to me at the bar He repeated his racist slur about Eliz - said to no one in particular that Van abeth Warren, calling her Pocahontas. The bartender had a t-shirt reading, Drew was a very “courageous” fellow. “Trump, finally a President with balls.” Remember when Trump talked about And soon thereafter Chris Christie was American carnage at the 2016 GOP This was in a gin mill across the street shown sitting in the audience. convention? He was at it again, talking from the convention center. Rather about how horrible some of the na - than watch the rally in the arena, I The crowd in the bar booed. So much tion’s cities are. This from a man who chose to hang out with those who for party loyalty. at least in theory has now had three could not get in. Sure, some did listen to the speech, but years to do something about that. The crowd, just about all of whom to many it seemed not too matter. And sported some type of Trump attire, was in some ways, that is what Trump is And then there were a series of remark - psyched. This was a big moment for about. It’s not really what he says. It’s able assertions that skewed – to say the them indeed. a feeling of his supporters that in this least – reality. world of sleazy and elitist politicians, And in a bizarre coincidence, or maybe here is one guy on their side. One, naturally, was that “illegal aliens” it wasn’t a coincidence, Fox News ( it were running wild committing crimes had to be Fox News) aired a clip of Much of what he did say were things Hillary Clinton. It made no difference he has said before. Continued on next page what it was about; the crowd re - sponded in predictable fashion, chant - ing “Lock her up, Lock her up.”

And then the president appeared on the screen. He was actually just across the street, but in this venue, he was only on TV.

The crowd whooped it up. But then a curious thing happened. Many didn’t even seem interested in listening to the speech.

They kept on chatting and drinking, drowning out the sound from the TV sets, which were on full volume.

There were exceptions. The president brought up a beaming Jeff Van Drew and there were cheers all around.

86 YEAR IN ADVANCE 2020

A VIEW FROM THE BAR – Continued when every conceivable study suggests care so much about protecting those another Trump backer say this was one immigrants of all kinds commit fewer with pre-existing conditions from in - of the greatest evenings of his life. crimes than native Americans. surance company discrimination. Really? I have no doubt these feelings are gen - And then we came to “the wall.” The uine. But here’s the problem. president said it was being built and That provision is a key part of Oba - The MAGA hats, the shirts picturing Mexico was paying for it. macare, which Trump wants to repeal. the president as Rambo and other over-the-top paraphernalia aside, Now, Trump’s infamous wall across the None of this matters to those who sim - Trump’s poll ratings remain at a ceiling entire border is not being built. And of ply feel a connection to the president. of 45 percent. more importance, the president has There is an obvious reason for that. been taking money from the Defense Another man at the bar told me he was Department to pay for it. That would feeling “as good as can be” because his Unlike your more conventional types be the U.S Defense Department, not “friend” was on TV. from both sides of the aisle, Trump the Mexican army. does absolutely nothing to expand his When it ended and the crowd began base. Then there was health care. The pres - headed to their cars, some of which ident talked about how Republicans were parked blocks away, I heard yet And that can be a fatal blunder.

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