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Editor’s Note

elcome to PolitickerNJ’s 2014 Power List, another excursion into that raucous political universe tapped like a barrel at both ends, in the words of Ben Franklin, who would have likely shuddered at the invocation of his name in the Wcontext of this decidedly New Jersey enterprise. As always, the list does not include elected ofcials, judges or past governors. In keeping with past tradition, too, it promises to stir plenty of dismay, outrage, hurt feelings, and public tantrums at the annual League of Municipalities. We welcome it all in the spirit of more finely honing this conglomerate in progress and in the name, of course, of defending what we have wrought out of the political collisions of this most interesting year. Several plotlines weave through the list of 101 names below. First, the fallout from the scandal gave Gov. and those around him a power haircut. Obviously, you’ll see the likes of former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman skydiving out of the top tier. You might be scandalized by the fact that he doesn’t altogether disappear, reasoning disclosed. Atlantic City’s troubles have the casino gaming industry in a state of flux and consequently New Jersey on high alert as the state wrestles with the next stage of the storied Southern city’s history. That narrative punctuates the list. Looking back on the scrums we covered, the rise of independent expenditure spending altered the battlefield and the in-fighting in several key campaigns and elections this year, most notably Bayonne and Newark. As outlined below, that decision also directly impacts Christie’s strategic designs on the presidency. Finally, and most critically, those municipal, county and federal elections – from Newark to

N Paterson to Elizabeth - determined the rise and fall XTO of those players either backhanded of the board for the moment or proudly – or barely - among those

ARTHUR PA ARTHUR still standing… Newark.

Cover photograph By Arman Dzidzovic

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The 2014 PolitickerNJ Power List

Paul Fishman U.S. Attorney for New Jersey While the pick is somewhat obvious, his decisions can shake up the entire structure of the names below. That is true power. As long as there is an ongoing investigation into the George Washington Bridge scandal by his ofce and the administration of Gov. Chris Christie leading up to those infamous lane closures, the investigating Fishman – as mild-mannered and self-efacing in public as Christie was bullish about attention when he held the same job – must be treated as the person in this state who right now possesses the most power. It’s no exaggeration to say that Christie’s presidential ambitions are bottled up in the U.S. Attorney’s Ofce, tasked with sorting through testimonials of all the Bridgegate 1. principals, including , , , Bill Baroni and David Samson.

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   ★   ★

      

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Independent Hudson and South Jersey, until the north Expenditures can repair its fractures, Norcross will From President of the continue to be a dominant statewide force to the Mayor – now with his little brother occupying the of Newark to the Mayor congressional seat in the First District. It of2. Bayonne to the Elizabeth Board of can be argued that James Tedesco’s victory Education, independent expenditure on Nov. 4th strengthened the north by PACs have replaced human beings empowering Bergen County Democratic and party organizations as the prime Chairman Lou Stellato, who now holds movers of politics post Citizens United. sway over the executive and legislative The controversial Supreme Court bodies. Whether that power will translate decision opened up the possibility for into a strengthening of relations among Gov. Christie’s allies, for example, to northern counties and weaken Norcross’ raise money toward his presidential bid chokehold is a developing story. without violating state laws pertaining to gubernatorial self-promotion. They also enabled the forces of Newark Mayor Ras George Gilmore Baraka to fight back against the incursion Ocean County of a PAC associated with No. 3 on this list Republican Chairman – and for the little-known Jimmy Davis Easily the most powerful to ride PAC dollars to a shocking win in GOP chair in the state, ruler Bayonne. On. Nov. 4th, a giant fell in the of4. New Jersey’s biggest and most important City of Elizabeth, when Rafael Fajardo and Republican county and simultaneously a his forces – who had controlled the board principal at 1868, one of the state’s most since 1996 - lost to the Committee for potent government afairs firms, Gilmore Economic Growth and Social Justice, the has put together an impressive winning PAC afliated with state Sen. Ray Lesniak streak focused on executive ofces. He was (D-20) and run by executive director Sean a primary financial backer of the mayoral Caddle. From top to bottom, IEs have campaigns of Don Guardian in Atlantic City rearranged the landscape of politics. (2013) and Jose “Joey’ Torres in Paterson earlier this year. He also racked up a strategic win with the stemming of movement conservative in the CD3 GOP South Jersey Democratic Primary and the convincing general election Power Broker victory of Republican Tom MacArthur. Control of the biggest One thing is clear: any Republican running legislative bloc of Trenton for statewide ofce must go through 3.lawmakers means every other county or Ocean. Incidentally, there’s already talk in region still has to go through South Jersey. Republican circles of MacArthur as a 2017 Whether it’s Essex and South Jersey or gubernatorial contender.

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Shawn Boburg Jamie Fox Bergen Record reporter New Jersey Commissioner The unknown Port of Transportation Authority of New York When he wanted a and New Jersey beat politically savvy expert to writer5. broke Bridgegate, the biggest story 6.repair the state’s broken Transportation of the year and a significant threat to the Trust Fund (TTF), Christie enlisted Fox, power consolidated by Gov. Christie. In one of the state’s premiere operatives a sputtering era for newspapers, Boburg and the former chief of staf of U.S. Sen. demonstrated better than anyone else this Robert “The Torch” Torricelli and former year the raw power of the pen. It was a very commissioner and COS to Gov. Jim strong year for the Record and brother/ McGreevey. Fox’s high ranking reflects the sister team Stephen and Jennifer Borg, trust both parties placed in him this year respectively the paper’s chief legal counsel going forward to tackle what once was a and publisher, and editor Martin Gottlieb. problem – that has now morphed into a By taking on tough fights and backing crisis. Boburg, the paper showed how a mid-sized daily newspaper survives and thrives: as a vital engine of the public interest of its regional readers.

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Lou Stellato Chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Committee A funeral director by trade, Stellato doesn’t owe anyone anything or have any business ties to the Trenton government apparatus. That separates him 7.from other county chairs in key counties. All in with Bergen -elect James Tedesco, Stellato would have been of this list had Tedesco bought it on Nov. 4th. Instead, as his candidates retained control of the freeholder board in the state’s most complex county and Tedesco surprised the state, proud grandfather Stellato jumps into the top ten as a major infl uencer and power player. The former mayor of Lyndhurst derives his power in part from the fact that Bergen is composed of a suf cient number of highly independent personages (Senate Majority Leader , Senator and Senator Robert Gordon) to make it dif cult for any one of them (or their surrogates) to command the chairmanship. Bottom line: with nearly everyone else in his party on a government or lobbying payroll, he’s a wildcard. He also accomplished the oddball feat of consolidating power at a time when independent expenditures threaten to diminish county party operations and the will of chairmen, and against the grain of a national GOP onslaught.

Leroy Jones Menendez and Jersey City Mayor Steven Essex Democratic Fulop. Based in Bergen County with of ces Committee Chairman in NYC and Washington DC, Scarinci A partner at 1868 Public Hollenbeck is ranked by the NJ Law Af airs, Jones occupies the Journal as one of the 40 largest law fi rms political8. leadership position in the most in the state. Joe Biden’s former Deputy lethal Democratic Party county in the state. Chief of staf runs the D.C. of ce, and in his His decision – made in concert with close homestate, Scarinci’s fi rm represents two friend and ally of the three largest development projects Joe DiVincenzo – about whom will get the in New Jersey. line in Essex could be the single biggest determinant about who will be the state’s next governor. Mo Butler Chief of Staf , NJ Of ce, U.S. Senator Donald Scarinci (D-NJ) Attorney As it was in Newark The childhood chum of when10. he served as then-Mayor Booker’s U.S. Sen. chief of staf , the veteran Butler occupies (D-NJ) took control of a high position on this list by virtue of his the9. legal contract in West New York and boss’ style, which often puts Booker in took over prime legal work in Jersey City demand around the country, leaving Butler owing to the deepening closeness between at the New Jersey control panel.

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Mike DuHaime Partner, Mercury Public Afairs, LLC As Christie amps up a 2016 presidential bid, he will lean on his 12.old standby DuHaime nationwide for strategic insight. The savvy Passaic County-reared political operative who managed national races for John McCain and will help the governor navigate all presidential pratfalls as Christie attempts to muscle out the competition in the Republican Primary and potentially beyond. Republican Governors Association wins by Christie (from 29 to 31 seats) strengthen the New Jersey governor’s argument for presidential traction – and strengthen DuHaime nationally.

Carl Ichan Bill Palatucci Casino Mogul Confidant, Gov. Chris What will happen with Christie the Taj Mahal? Ichan Wherever Christie will ultimately make that plays, you will find determination.11. He also holds the debt on his 14.veteran Republican operative Palatucci, an own property and the lawsuit he just won attorney at Gibbons who has a GOP donor could change the daily operational costs contact list going back at least as far as the of the casino as Atlantic City stands at a Christie Todd Whitman era. crossroads.

Bill Mullen President, NJ Building and Construction Trades Council The president 13.stands at the apex of the state’s 15 international trades organizations. Amid the notorious warring egos that make up the back drama of labor, Mullen holds the entire operation together.

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Mike Capelli Ray Pocino Executive Secretary Vice President and Treasurer, Carpenters Eastern Regional In terms of mobilizing Manager, LIUNA manpower and Talk to men and resources,15. you can’t argue with Capelli, who women16. in the labor movement and the has 30,000 active members on the roster high court of power contains two ferocious and can, at a moment’s notice, deploy 3,000 competitors: Capelli and Pocino. In the to 6,000 bodies to any election battlefield. short term given the Bridgegate fiasco, the Reliant on supremely well-prepared latter sufers somewhat his decision to back political adviser Assemblyman Troy Christie’s re-election. He also occupies a Singleton (D-7), Capelli last year went all in Christie-appointed chair on the embattled with his support for legislative candidates, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. getting a leg up on his rival Ray Pocino, who But the bottom line is everyone covets a made the decision to back a now-wobbly Laborers endorsements. Any doubts? Look Gov. Chris Christie. While Pocino edged at rock-solid progressive Bonnie Watson the Carpenters in the Newark mayor’s race, Coleman embracing Pocino’s support in her Capelli’s guys backed James Tedesco in the successful CD12 bid. And look at the success all-important ’s of Laborers-backed Ras Baraka in Newark, race, defeating the Laborers behind one of the biggest contests of the year. incumbent Republican Kathe Donovan. He was also instrumental in the re-election of popular GOP Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio, a fellow carpenter, in another big contest.

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John Degnan Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey He inherits a mess, of course, all the fallout from the George Washington Bridge scandal. How17. Degnan implements and manages reforms will require Herculean managerial and political skill to reverse what the public sees now as a patronage train wreck. A weakening of the role of deputy executive director of the port following the Bridgegate resignation of Bill Baroni and ascent to that job from within the administration of Deborah Gramiccioni further illustrates Degnan’s command position.

Dale Florio Paul Principal, Princeton Brubaker Public Afairs State Director, The chief of one of the U.S. Sen. Bob state’s most powerful Menendez (D-NJ) government18. afairs firms has his team in The20. former reporter started in that well- a forward position on Atlantic City as the worn breeding ground for power: the South Jersey pleasure capital overhauls in congressional ofce of , the aftermath of several casino closings. before heading to work for Menendez in 2012 as the senator’s press spokesman. Now he runs the ofces of one of the most John Currie powerful senators in the country and a Chairman of the future potential candidate for Secretary of Democratic State State if lands the 2016 Committee presidential nomination. It should be noted, Firmly rooted in too, that while past senators (infamously Passaic19. County where he remains chairman the late and Bob of the party in addition to his statewide Torricielli) and their stafs viciously feuded, duties, the veteran Democratic leader turns Menendez is very close to fellow New Jersey every organizational gathering into a special Senator and continuing national rising star event. Cory Booker.

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Mike Kempner CEO, MWW As Hillary Clinton ramps up her 2016 presidential 27.ambitions, look for Kempner on the fundraising frontlines in New Jersey. The lonstanding Clinton ally and top fundraiser heads one of the most successful PR firms in the country.

Roger Bodman John Lobbyist Hoffman The veteran Attorney General Republican with close for the State of ties to Christie heads New Jersey up21. Public Strategies Impact, one of the 24.The most powerful person in New Jersey most potent lobbying firms in the state, and politics with the word “acting” in front of has significant connective political tissue his name, Hofman has put together a solid with the Republican Governor’s Association body of work as the state’s leading lawman (RGA). and successor to Jef Chiesa.

Jon Hanson Angelo Chairman, New Genova/ Jersey Gaming, Attorney Sports and Genova Entertainment shows up Advisory22. Commission 25.in court with the most fearsome As Atlantic City attempts to get back in the preparation of any other attorney on game, Hanson has the ear of the governor the landscape. on all statewide development issues. Todd Mary Pat Christie Christie First Brother First Lady From the of New Jersey beginning of the The monetary governor’s26. career in politics, Christie’s drawing23. card in the family, Mary Pat will younger brother has been his chief obviously play a key role in the governor’s champion. Christie’s big night nationally decision-making and strategy when he on Nov. 4th put Todd on the frontlines of formally undertakes his presidential run. presidential politics.

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Bill Castner environment, an analytical fact gatherer who Attorney, Gibbons draws unbiased conclusions. The front of ce Braniac Castner is will need to lean on his veteran presence one of the handful more than ever in the coming months and of truly literate years. people28. in New Jersey politics. He serves as the chief political and legal adviser to George Norcross III and is Gibbon s’ point man in Tommy Trenton. Bertoli Chief Political Confi dant, Charles Jersey City McKenna Mayor30. Commissioner of Working closely with his fast-rising confi dant the Department of Jason Solowsky, the veteran political Community Af airs, operative from North Bergen helped get Gov.29. Chris Christie Ras Baraka elected mayor in Newark, and The former state director of Homeland led Fulop’s relationship-building ef orts Security who worked his way through law statewide, notably in the City of Paterson and school nights as a janitor has the trust and Bergen County. respect of the governor. Insiders describe him as a calming infl uence in a hyperactive

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Sean Kennedy Steve Associate Executive Adubato, Jr. Director at NJ Senate NJTV Host Democrats The veteran Senate President broadcaster 31.Steve Sweeney’s (D-3) competitive senior with34. the fi ne political pedigree brings advisor – an attorney and coach – is his boss’ institutional knowledge and a fi nely honed fi ercest advocate and protector. intellect to every political interview.

Joe DeCotiis/ Patrick Michael Murray DeCotiis Pollster, Attorneys Monmouth The deep-reach University 32.law fi rm has key contracts around North 35.The veteran pollster and political Jersey and is close to powerful Jersey City commentator has built a record that makes Mayor Steven Fulop. Political mainstays, the all of his polls required reading for anyone younger generation of the family has moved interested in what’s going on in campaigns up into positions of power within the fi rm. and elections in this state – and beyond.

Larry Mark Matzen Weitzner Democratic Party CEO, Jamestown Political Operative Associates There are only a If you want to handful of others 33.run a hard-hitting Republican campaign in 36.– Ed Farmer comes to mind in Passaic – who New Jersey – or elsewhere – the presence get as deep into the numbers as Matzen, of Jamestown in your corner lends your who advises U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). candidacy instant authenticity. Charlie On Election Day, the stealth-like Matzen Baker learned that this past general election shared Campaign Manager Brendan Gill’s cycle when he brought in Weitzner’s team happiness in Booker’s 14-point margin of and bumped of Democrat Martha Coakley victory over Republican challenger Jef Bell. in the Massachusetts governor’s race. An impressive win for Jamestown.

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Charles Stile Columnist, The Bergen Record There are other columnists in the State38. of New Jersey who have greater reach – but none has the pinpoint focus of the veteran Stile, who must have at least a trilogy of great political novels about New Jersey stored away and ready to unleash. Here’s a typical insightful passage about Christie from the maestro: “The self-described straight talker - the one who isn’t afraid to tackle the ‘big issues’ - adamantly refuses to ofer any insights on immigration reform, even though he’s a short plane ride away from the epicenter of the crisis, the U.S. border with Mexico. His excuse: immigration is a federal problem for President Obama and Congress to fix. He’s just a lowly, garden-variety governor who is powerless to do anything about it.”

Michael Aron Mark Albiez Chief Political Chief of Staf Correspondent, NJTV to Jersey City He was gone for two Mayor Steven months – and the Fulop state37. almost fell apart without him. There is 40.The highly respected Albiez has something no one in New Jersey politics reporting with in addition to his intellect and right hook- more gravitas – or attention to detail. uppercut combination that could make him vulnerable statewide: a heart. Schooled on the streets of Union City with Mayor (and Analilia state Senator) Brian P. Stack, he actually Mejia truly cares. Executive Director of the Working Families Steve DeMicco 39.With more than a dozen af liates statewide, and Brad Mejia’s activist group made a strong Lawrence statement this year, in particular on two Political Consultants fronts. First, the executive director took a Owners of Message frontline role in the Newark Mayor’s race, and41. Media, the veteran Democratic helping to propel Ras Baraka to victory in operatives are backing as the election of the year. Second, she secured the former U.S. Ambassador to paid sick leave for full- and part-time Germany revs up his gubernatorial employees in six NJ municipalities. operations ahead of 2017.

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Hetty campaign provides public afairs and Rosenstein government relations counsel to a variety New Jersey of Cammarano, Layton and Bombardieri Director, CWA firm clients. Close to Norcross, Capelli and Senate Assemblyman (D-7). 42.President Sweeney’s strenuous eforts to make right his relations with public workers demonstrate the activist power Wendell of Rosenstein, the hell-raiser labor leader Steinhauer who’s not beyond throwing the occasional President, NJEA sharp elbow. The labor organization representing44. over 200,000 school Trish employees has real muscle. It’s so strong Mueller that whoever occupies the top position finds Political him or herself in a strong spot on this list. Operative The education association uses its PAC as The political well as Garden State Forward (its super director43. of the Northeast Regional Council PAC) to advocate for candidates supported of Carpenters and the state director for by their membership. Barack Obama’s 2008 general election

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Phil Alagia Chief of Staf, Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo 49.The tactical outfitter from Newark’s North Ward – with strong ties to the East - helped put together the vote totals that Shavar Jefries’ recorded against Ras Baraka. DiVincenzo just won re-election in a landslide over a propped-up GOP candidate, and there’s already murmuring about him gearing up for a fifth term in 2018. Alagia and the boss maintain close ties to U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-10), Newark, and possess the presence of a true rising star - state Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29) - in their inner political circle.

Kevin Tom Bracken Drennan President and CEO Chief of Staf, of the President Chamber Steve Sweeney of Commerce 45.(D-3) If47. the business of New Jersey is politics, Drennan has deep ties in both public and Bracken at least musters sufcient private arenas and is an integral part of gravitas to make a counter argument. The Sweeney’s formidable political team. chamber executive is also one of the leading voices on transportation funding and Mike chairs Forward NJ. Drewniak Press Secretary, Gov. Chris Christie As46. Christie shifts his operations nationally, Drewniak has less to say and fewer daily fistfights with the press but he still commands respect by virtue of his veteran status and attention to detail.

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Joey Muniz Michele Brown Hudson County Chief Executive, Political Economic Operative Development A dedicated Authority 48.creature of Sacco World, the North 51.A holdover from Christie’s U.S. Attorney Bergenite has consolidated organizational years, Brown is never far from the power as the trusted adviser of Assembly governor’s inner sanctum. Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32), Secaucus. Eric Shuffler Kevin Hagan Lobbyist, River Democratic Crossing Strategy Party Political Group Operative With Jamie Fox A close adviser 52.moving back to government, the renamed – 50.to Senate President Sweeney, Hagan is also but still powerful - firm will look to Shufer’s a political resource at Princeton Public leadership in the next epoch. Afairs. The highly respected Hagan has institutional reach going back to Frank Lautenberg and James McGreevey.

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Adam Silverstein Political Operative Silverstein enters the list as a consequence of his resigning from a local 57.board of education seat, but more importantly, for picking up the biggest win of his career this year with the win of Bergen County Executive- elect James Tedesco. The Bergen County message-maker – close to Stellato – must be viewed as a significant player at this point for anyone who wants to play in battleground Bergen County – the Florida of New Jersey.

Amiri Layton and George Gilmore to truncate “Middy” Steve Lonegan’s CD3 candidacy with the Baraka, Jr. recruitment of Tom MacArthur. Chief of Staf, Newark Mayor Adam Geller Ras53. Baraka Others in a small circle of influencers Pollster whisper in the mayor’s ear, but ultimately The top-notch Baraka listens closest to his brother in the pollster can state’s biggest city. always be found in55. unlikely places – like a Paterson Mayoral election, for example. His work is highly Glenn valued. Paulsen Attorney The super Bob intense former Sommer 54.Burlington County Republican chairman Political maintains strong ties to the organization Operative and is generally recognized internally as The close Burlington’s organizer emeritus. Paulsen adviser56. to Mayor Fulop has worked closely with Chairman Bill statewide contacts and good relations with the media.

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Maggie Moran Republican State Party Chairman Tom President and Wilson and Democrat Jeannine Frisby CEO, M Public LaRue enhance Kaufman Zita’s power Af airs projection platform. The group played a The state has signifi cant role in driving marriage equality. only58. one “Maggie” in the political universe. Smarter than most of the other people on this list, with a broad client base stretching Charles from transportation to education, Moran Wowkanech will occupy a key position as a New Jersey President, NJ contact for the 2016 Hillary Clinton AFL-CIO Presidential Campaign. Veteran labor leader62. Wowkanech technically stands at the top of New Jersey labor, as both public Bill Layton and private labor organizations fold into the Chairman of the million-man strong AFL-CIO. Wowkanech Burlington County is in a similar position as Mullen, in the Republican sense that the competing interests of labor Committee – the Laborers endorsing the re-election 59.Layton was instrumental in putting together of Christie, for example, while the CWA the deal with Gilmore to back MacArthur and NJEA worked against him, and the in CD3 and shut down the GOP Primary Carpenters remained neutral – make for a challenge of Steve Lonegan. Faced with a challenging leadership role for anyone at better-fi nanced Democratic Party challenge the top of the umbrella. The organization is to GOP power this year, the veteran Layton coming of of a year when they absorbed the mobilized strong alliances and battled back fractures caused by the governor’s contest with two convincing wins to ensure the by championing a raising of the state’s concentration of county freeholder power in minimum wage and spending over $1 million Republican hands. on elections.

Steve Ayscue The Grahams Democratic Insurance Political Providers Operative Father and son Having helped team John and U.S.60. Rep. (D-1)-rack up 63.Ryan Graham are both political animals who strong numbers in the general election, this year successfully backed the mayoral watch for the veteran Ayscue to play an election of Tony Vauss in Irvington. Close to important part in positioning Assemblyman Fulop and Speaker Vincent Prieto. Vince Mazzeo and Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak for 2015 re-election runs in the battleground 2nd and 1st districts Idida respectively. Rodriguez Political Operative Adam Kaufman/ The campaign Patricia Zita 64.manager for Jose “Joey” Torres’ winning Lobbyists Paterson mayoral campaign, Schooled by Assembly the unfl appable Rodriguez Speaker Joe Doria, has some other powerful Kaufman61. and Zita have carved out one of friends, namely her the most successful lobbying fi rms in the partners at 1868: Gilmore state. The presence on the team of former and Jones.

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Chris Russell Political Operative Never far from the action in any campaign cycle, the veteran GOP power player was instrumental69. in Tom MacArthur’s CD3 win over Aimee Belgard. He was also an impact player for successful Republican candidates in Burlington, Monmouth, Somerset and Salem counties. A meticulous detective whose opposition research often has the heft of an advanced degree thesis paper (you almost find yourself looking for footnotes), Russell is the ultimate old-school Republican operative.

Bill Pascrell James Gee III Political Operative Attorney and The veteran Lobbyist Democratic operative The Princeton with roots going back Public65. Afairs lobbyist has played a key 67.to the McGreevey era had a very good year, frontline role in the development of internet with wins in the Trenton mayor’s race and gaming. He also obviously has close ties to the CD12 race (Assemblywoman Bonnie one of the most respected elected ofcials Watson Coleman). in the state: his father, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9), Jr. Milly Silva Executive Vice Mike Muller President, SEIU Executive 1199 Director at the Since running NJ Democratic 68.unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in Assembly 2013 on the Buono ticket, Silva has played Campaign66. Committee a strong street role as a leader of the labor Muller will get back in the battlezone next outfit that this year took on for-profit care year as South Jersey looks to hold onto seats centers. in LD1 and 2. Look for battleground Muller engaged – as always – also in LD14, 18 and 38.

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Kevin McCabe Phil Murphy Chairman of the Former U.S. Middlesex County Ambassador to Democratic Party Germany, Founder Schooled by John of New Start New 70.Lynch and James McGreevey, McCabe will Jersey72. continue to play a key leadership role in the The 2017 gubernatorial prospect is getting rebirth of Middlesex in the lead up to the around the state and distributing money 2017 gubernatorial elections. to Democratic candidates. He routinely attends events in all the key Democratic Party building-block counties with the Alan Zegas/ exception of Hudson – home to his rival Michael Critchley Steve Fulop. Attorneys Respectively representing 71.Bridgegate–embattled former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operative David Wildstein and former Deputy Chief of Staf Bridget Kelly, Zegas and Critchley both have reps as first-rate defense layers.

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Augie Torres Harold Jersey Journal Hodes/Bill columnist Maer Hudson County’s Lobbyists “Political Insider” The Public 73.pens bi-weekly pieces that are equal parts 75.Strategies Impact team has good Groucho Marx, Don Rickles, Damon Runyan Democratic Party contacts, especially in and Herodotus. The frontline observer Essex, Bergen and Passaic counties. and chronicler of Fulop has turned into the honorary, unspoken uber-boss of the “HCDeadO.”

Ed Deutsch Attorney In command of one of the largest law fi rms in the state, the 74.Morris County lawyer and chairman of the Board of Directors of Somerset Hills Bank, Deutsch chaired Christie’s Department of Banking and Insurance transition subcommittee.

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Ann Twomey helped get James Tedesco elected county President, Health executive in the surprise outcome of the Professionals and year. The no-nonsense Akbar was a big part Allied Employees of the success story – a solid win for the One word: regenerative Pascrell. 76.pioneer. The founder of HPAE almost 40 years ago at Englewood Hospital never changed her original focus of advocating Mark for nurses and healthcare workers. Peers Sheridan of Twomey’s uniformly praise the labor Attorney leader for her principled leadership and The GOP rootedness in a lifelong cause. operative continues79. to play an instrumental role on the legal end of party politics Assad Akhter as counsel for the Bridgegate- Deputy Chief of embroiled Republican State Staf , U.S. Rep. Bill Committee. Pascrell (D-9) Pascrell got beat 78.up in Paterson this year, that’s true. But the operation stretched and strengthened its tentacles into South Bergen, and

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Mike Tai Cooper Soliman Policy Director Managing for Newark Mayor Director, Ras Baraka. Mercury Schooled in 80.Menendez’s silky smooth former state the82. of ce of the late U.S. Sen. Frank director was a crucial behind-the-scenes Lautenberg, the veteran operative proved player in turning the Bayonne Mayor’s her considerable communications abilities election in Jimmy Davis’ favor. on the campaign trail as the “never let them see you sweat” spokeswoman of the winning Baraka Campaign. Nick Menas Attorney, Fox Rothschild The Republican has close ties to Christie, powerful81. Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, Christie confi dant Sen. Joe Kyrillos, and the BurlCo GOP, and has emerged as a strong party fundraiser from South Jersey.

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Untitled-4 1 11/13/14 4:24:19 PM

Would like to Congratulate Chairman John Currie Vice-Chair Lizette Delgado Polanco Political Director Jennifer Holdsworth

for making the 2014 Powerlist.

And all of our Democratic winners this year

US Senator Cory Booker

Congressman Elect Donald Norcross Congressman Congressman Congressman Bill Pascrell Congressman Donald Payne Congresswoman Elect Bonnie Watson-Coleman

Bergen County Executive Elect James Tedesco Essex County Executive: Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr.

Union County Sheriff Elect Cumberland County Sheriff Robert Austino Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler

Cumberland County Clerk Elect Celeste Riley Camden County Clerk Joseph Ripa

Hudson County Surrogate: Joseph Ryglicki Union County Surrogate James L Corte Essex County Register Elect Dana Rone

Bergen County Freeholders: David Ganz and Joan Voss Camden County Freeholders: Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Scott McCray Cumberland County Freeholder: Carol Musso Essex County Freeholders: At-Large Brendan Gill, Rufus Johnson, Lebby Jones, Patricia Sebold District 1-Rolando Bobadilla, District 2-Wayne Richardson, District 3-, District 4-Leonard Luciano, District 5-Cynthia Toro Gloucester County Freeholders: Lyman Barnes, Heather Simmons, Hudson County Freeholders District 1-Kenneth Kopacz, District 2-William O’Dea, District 3-Gerard Balmir, District 4-E. Junior Maldonado, District 5-Anthony Romano, District 6-Tilo Rivas, District 7-Caridad Rodriguez, District 8-Anthony Vainieri, Jr, District 9- Albert Cifelli Mercer County Freeholders: John Cimino and Lucylle Walter Middlesex County Freeholders: Carol Barrett and Charles Tomaro Passaic County Freeholders: Theodore “TJ” Best, Jr. and Bruce James Union County Freeholders: Angel Estrada, Christopher Hudak, and Vernell Wright Paid for and authorized by New Jersey Democratic State Committee 196 West State St, Trenton, NJ 08608

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Jeannine Keith Furlong Frisby LaRue Political Operative Government The Passaic Afairs Specialist, County-schooled Kaufmann Zita Furlong is State 83.Like her friend James Gee, the well- Democratic85. Chairman John Currie’s most connected LaRue of Mercer County had trusted political adviser. back-to-back wins in the CD12 Democratic Primary () and the Trenton Mayor’s Race (Eric Jackson). HONORARY Chris Paladino MENTION President of Eddie the Pig New Brunswick Political Operative Development Corp. Eddie’s PR team pushed aggressively 84.He has played a major role in transforming (Danny DeVito almost made that phone the city in the last 15 years. This September call, we are told) - and he almost made the he had the governor, the mayor and the list. Although he has his detractors, Eddie president of Rutgers all at a transformational continues to play a robust role ahead of the groundbreaking. And he’s now lending some 2016 prez race, as Democrats prod an Iowa- expertise to help Atlantic City given his dazzled Christie to defy the pork lobby and experience at rough transitions. sign an anti pig-confinement bill.

Jamestown Associates is proud to congratulate the next Governor of Massachusetts, , on his victory in Tuesday’s election. We’re proud to have worked with another group of good campaigns and strong candidates who will bring good government in 2015 with our new Republican majority. Congratulations to the leader of the Republican Governors Association, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, on his successful record of electing so many outstanding gubernatorial candidates.

Jamestown congratulates all our clients who achieved victory on Tuesday. Governor-elect Charlie Baker George P. Bush - STATE LEGISLATURE Joseph H. Vicari - Rep. Ron DeSantis FL-6 Texas Land Commissioner Rep. Dwight Kay R-IL Ocean County Board Rep. Dennis Ross FL-15 Joni Ernst - IE Rep. Mark Johnson R-OR of Freeholders Rep. MI-6 Thom Tillis - IE Rep. Mike La Rosa R-FL Mayor Tim Donohue - Rep. MI-7 Cory Gardner - IE Rep. Kenneth Sheets R-TX Middle Township Rep. NJ-7 Tom Cotton - IE Brooks Landgraf R-TX Will Metcalf R-TX Councilman Tom Conrad, Rep. Richard Hanna NY-22 Bill Cassidy - IE Councilman Erik Simonsen, Rep. SC-1 - IE Terri Bryant R-IL Christine Winger R-IL Dave Perry - Rep. TX-3 Scott Walker - IE Lower Township Rep. Roger Williams TX-25 Pete Ricketts - IE Alabama Federation for Children Brian Babbin TX-36 - IE Vote No on Amendment 2 - FL WA-4 GA-10 GA-11

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Lizette Morris County GOP freeholder, Inglesino puts Delgado- Impact NJ in close contact with Gov. Christie, Polanco one of Inglesino’s best friends. Vice President of the AFL-CIO/ Steven Vice86. chair of the State Democratic Party The executive director of the Service Goldstein Employees International Union New Jersey Founder and Former State Council now has a sturdy leg in both labor Director of Garden and party politics. State Equality 88.On the one-year anniversary of same-sex marriage in New Jersey, Goldstein is New Michael Murphy Jersey’s activist emeritus. and James Inglesino Impact New Jersey A former gubernatorial 87.candidate, Murphy is the son of a governor, brother of powerful Brian Hughes and one of the most insightful people in Trenton about New Jersey politics. An attorney in private practice and former

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Harry Hurley Liz Muoio Radio Host, Hurley Mercer County in the Morning Democratic Chair The always The winning party energized Hurley chair in this year’s routinely89. supplements his morning CD1291. duel between Mercer’s programming with breaking political news. Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-15) and Middlesex’s state Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-14), Muoio may be Jerry Speziale making her first and last Paterson Police appearance on this list. If Mercer Director and Trenton can resolve a Torres shook up political logjam, the chair will the Passaic County likely succeed Watson Coleman political90. establishment when he appointed in the Assembly when the Bruce Springsteen with a badge – a former veteran legislator vacates her seat county sherif back from Alabama and with in LD15. the wounds still not healed from his fight with the Passaic Democratic Party - to lead the embattled northern post-industrial city’s police department.

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Sean Darcy Jeff Brindle Principal, Round ELEC Director World Consulting No other person The veteran has articulated the political operative Brave New World 92.and media consultant showed how the job of94. independent expenditure PAC spending is done with the June Democratic Primary – and used his government role victory in CD12 by U.S. Rep.-elect Bonnie in more activist fashion – than Watson Coleman. this campaigns and elections finance expert. David Cruz NJTV Reporter The master builder of sources and veteran New Jersey93. newsman with deep Hudson roots was a major get for NJTV. His news reports are the TV equivalent of Chopin’s sonatas.

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Rahaman loser Shavar Jef ries against former Muhammad teammate Jersey City Mayor Steven Political Fulop, a Ras Baraka ally, but he’s still in the Confi dant of mix and capable of making an impact. Newark Mayor Baraka95. The former SEIU leader and political Bruno activist now occupies Baraka’s inner circle Tedeschi/ as one of the most powerful City Hall Jonathan Jaffe players in Newark politics. Political Operatives The message- makers97. from North Jersey have close ties David to the North Ward. Former Star-Ledger Tepper editor Bruno Tedeschi in particular Founder, has close quarters contact with Appaloosa powerful Newark North Ward Management Councilman Anibal Ramos. 96.The hedge fund billionaire from Livingston with a passion for school reform got gonged in several elections this year, notably in Newark, where he backed

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Jennifer the Hudson River and still in limbo land as Holdsworth the U.S. Attorney sifts through the details of Democratic State Bridgegate. But Samson’s still on the list by Political Director virtue of his CEO status at one of the state’s A protégé most powerful law fi rms. Also, like Wildstein, 98.of former Bergen County Freeholder Kelley and others, whatever he coughs up to Bernadette McPherson, the classy Fishman could skyrocket him up to the top Holdsworth ran the coordinated campaign of the list by virtue of damage he does to the for Democrats, which helped Booker garner a current power structure. 14-point Election Day victory this year. Alfred David Koeppe Samson President Former Chairman and CEO of the Port of Newark Authority of New Alliance100. and former head of PSE&G York99. and New Jersey He served as a member of the transition The disgraced ex Port chief took a major teams of both Gov. Chris Christie and tumble down to the bottom of this list, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Now that’s power. mangled by headlines exposing all manner of malfeasance at the patronage trough on

Congratulations to Politickernj.com & the 2014 Power List on another successful year!

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The George Washington Bridge Throughout the ebbs and 101.flows of the biggest political news story of the year, the bridge itself took on a mournful human quality – and cried out for the likes of somebody like Hart Crane to give voice to its symbolic power – or at least Uncle Floyd. This much is true. If Floyd’s 2009 bid for governor had succeeded, there would have been no Bridgegate. In 2009, the write-in candidate wanted to pave over the Hudson River as a solution to the stalled ARC tunnel development and New York-New Jersey trafc jams. “Make it a straight shot for everyone,” the entertainer from Paterson told PolitickerNJ. Oh, what might have been...

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The Trembling Pillars of Power

t seems unfortunate to mar the crass impurity of New Trust Fund (TTF), that’s an exceedingly artful way of admitting Jersey with a reference to Soren Kierkegaard of all that the bench has gone bone dry. people. Yet it was that Danish master who coined the term That Bergen Executive’s race, incidentally, caused another no “Concluding Unscientific Postscript,” a useful phrase as we less profound reverberation through the corridors of state power, try to put an exclamation point on this always controversial duly noted on the list, made manifest in ways probably only visible post-Election Day power screed. to insiders: namely the strengthening of northern party power. First a word about Chris Christie, whose very presence Outnumbered, the South Jersey machine manned by George in New Jersey makes him synonymous with power. There’s Norcross III maintains its statewide leverage by building superior Ia subtle point there, namely the fact that Christie’s out-of-state organization. While Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo adventures as chairman of the Republican Governors Association and state Senator Dick Codey (D-27) clash in a barbaric (RGA) and national candidate in backroom war of political egos, GN3 advance of the 2016 presidential runs a party organization that has more election keep him increasingly on the in common with SWAT than what passes other side of the state line. for canvassing in Kentucky. Christie’s deft handling of power But even as that organization on means he can always count on sticking November 4th celebrated what on its a boardwalk landing after a week’s face looked like the apex of its political absence, slap someone silly – usually history with the election of GN3’s a reporter if a teacher isn’t handy, or brother, Donald, to the United States some other such social homunculus by Congress in CD1, Stellato’s win and Christie’s standards - and then head for concentration of power in the state’s the nearest airport and again another Chris most complex county complicated future designs for Southern statewide week’s evacuation from the sordid Christie.

swamps of his home state. ROLL CALL BILL CLARK/CQ dominance. But the polls began dragging on The lockstep South thrives according Christie in the closing weeks of campaign season, the hard to the missteps of a thousand wriggling Northern egos each with luck narratives of the George Washington Bridge scandal, the their own agendas, each with an ill-considered pathway. downgrading of the state’s credit ratings, and the quickening Stellato concentrated power on his terms. This was not, for presumption that he’s spending more time trying to figure out example, the Shavar Jefries for Newark mayor campaign, heavily how to navigate Iowa pig crates than the Garden State Parkway, funded by PACs with South Jersey tentacles. This was Stellato began loosening the governor’s Robocop grip on power here. - aided, yes, by a broad spectrum of outside entities and players, Some of that began happening last year, accelerated in 2014 Steve Sweeney of South Jersey and some labor heft among them - by everything already mentioned in addition to that national ultimately taking control of a campaign that no one outside his own trend-bucking GOP loss earlier this month by incumbent County inner circle believed had anything other than a puncher’s chance. Executive Kathe Donovan in Bergen County. That victory belongs to James Tedesco, the candidate, and to It looks a little like this… Lou Stellato, the chairman who masterminded his win – and to Democrats get busted up nationally and Christie’s well North Jersey, fashioned amid the ongoing game – sometimes tug- positioned as RGA chairman (Teddy Roosevelt comparison of-war, sometimes footsy, sometimes spin-the-bottle, sometimes coming up) to stand like the deerskin-clad hunter complete with chess and never ballet – with South Jersey. blunderbuss over that humiliating political carcass named Barack Norcross still has an organizational edge. Obama, even as New Jersey’s biggest battleground county gets… But the sheer numbers that some combination of Bergen, …swallowed up by Lou Stellato and the Democrats. Hudson and Passaic represent could play havoc the next time the Christie doesn’t care. He’s already moved on. Bergen’s an boss tries to get out of South Jersey. afterthought. We could be wrong. It’s early yet, and we haven’t yet discussed Appropriately, it was Lieutenant Governor left Middlesex, Union and Essex. to gape in bewilderment over Donovan’s demise. Maybe Stellato will become merely one more player subdued But that image of Guadagno squeezed in between U.S. by the South Jersey vortex. Rep.-elect Tom MacArthur and powerful Ocean County GOP One can never see the totality of controlling connective tissue Chairman George Gilmore told the story of Christie’s political until a person acts, even against his own best regional interest, for power in his home state. the sake of some larger perceived power. Never afraid of power, Christie no longer has that agile grasp It’s difcult to read completely, of course, when politics, in the on the state because his vision now lingers elsewhere. words of that inimitable Old Gringo, Ambrose Bierce, consists of So you can see on the list an accompanying slip among his “a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The confidants. They’re still there. Just a little lower. conduct of public afairs for private advantage.” When a Republican governor has to enlist the aid of But that’s what we see right this instant in the aftermath of Democrat Jamie Fox to fix the state’s insolvent Transportation Election Day.

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Ten Tales of Power

Thomas Kean Sr. ARTHUR PAXTON ARTHUR

ew Jersey and power, imperfect together. No Here are ten more instances of power and how to use one has better demonstrated this tortured it, New Jersey style! Taming of the Shrew tale than the state’s enduring leading man, Gov. Chris Christie. Christie’s takeover of Atlantic City When a heckler upended by Hurricane Thank God the State’s in Town! When Gov. Sandy went to a Christie press conference 10 Chris Christie – breathlessly back in New to exercise his first amendment right to free Jersey after gallivanting around the country - announced Nspeech, the governor – perhaps tired from a lot of out-of- the state’s takeover of Atlantic City to a roomful of state travel – yelled angrily, “Sit down and shut up!” insiders at the second Atlantic City summit, a chorus of An entrenched figure backed up by title and the state true believers, convinced of the eminently sagacious and police unleashing on a nameless constituent. judicious rule of the State of New Jersey and the “adult- It was a perfect snapshot of our great state’s very own in-the-room” presence of the governor – issued a loud definition of the wise and deliberate exercise of power. and hearty chorus of “Amen!”

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“I was reading Rousseau and reflecting on the philosophical underpinnings of the French 9 Revolution,” I swear. Just as Tip O’Neill said - it’s all about remaining local, with one’s feet firmly planted on the ground. So Ray Lesniak, the veteran senator from the 20th District, celebrated the victory of his local school board ticket with a champagne toast to the victors… from Paris, France. Asked if he hadn’t gone a little too far with the Marie Antoinette motif, Lesniak said emphatically, “No. We took out the most corrupt political organization that has certainly existed in my time. There are teachers and employees who are afraid to do anything other than what [veteran Board of Education leader Rafael] Fajardo tells them to do. This was a fine moment to straighten out that corruption. I was in Paris because I was receiving an award from the New Jersey State Bar Association, and anyway they have everything under control there, they don’t want me around.” Well, at least it wasn’t on the golf course in Paris!

Bogota Mayor Tito Trinidad… er… Jackson The 49-year old Bernard Hopkins made history 8 earlier this month when he jumped into an Atlantic City boxing ring with a man 20 years his junior. That’s nothing. On the day of the Democratic Primary earlier this year, Mayor Jackson had to fend of an opponent who had 30 years on him. A judge convicted that man of simple assault. The message? Don’t mess with Tito – unless your name is Councilman Christopher Kelemen, who beat the mayor - by 26 votes – on Election Day.

Two-hundred and Twenty-Six Years a Knave Stomped on and scorned nationally because of 7Bridgegate, barrel tapped at both ends moviegoers prayed that a movie about New Jersey corruption could at least somewhat soothe the humiliation caused by real corruption. But it was not to be, as 12 Years a Slave outdueled the Camden-centric American Hustle as the year’s best picture. Adding insult to injury, even Camden Paterson. Mayor said she was not inclined to see Hustle. IMAGES JEFFREY GREENBERG/UIG VIA GETTY

“Time for some trafc problems in Fort Lee” on high. We may never know the answer to that question. Ah, those ofcious-looking people with their But we do know one thing. Whatever it was, it was done in 6BlackBerrys and fast-striding power walks and no the best interest of the people of New Jersey. time for anyone but the power at the top of the food chain. It’s a trip, until you’re the one under the bus. This remains It’s called a reversal the unsolved power mystery of the decade, as the world Shavar Jefries was the good guy, Ras Baraka the tries to ascertain whether Christie Deputy Chief of Staf 5 bad guy. That was what the establishment wanted Bridget Anne Kelly’s ominous order to Port Authority of the world to believe. You could feel it escalating. It was a New York and New Jersey operative David Wildstein was street campaign see-sawing back and forth and the results the consequence of her own power surge – or orders from kept uglier and uglier. Then it happened. Someone torched

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the campaign bus of the Ras Baraka Campaign. When once said he looked into Putin’s soul and saw a nice guy, a cops nabbed the culprit, Baraka named him as a cohort of recounted encounter that U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell only too Carl Sharif, the chief political strategist of rival mayoral happily dredged up when Chris Christie said he’d know how candidate Shavar Jefries. What apparently started as a to handle Putin, unlike Bush… er… Obama. desperate tough guy act to equalize the war on the street had turned into a tomahawk – right in the back of the Mercer is on the Move! Jefries campaign. After Mercer County defeated Middlesex County 2 in the congressional primary of the year, the little Hopatcong Loch Ness Bust county that could immediately stepped up – and went to Here’s a tip. If you feel you need a power mascot, war with itself. In a small-bore duplication of that tug of 4 you’re probably not powerful. North Jersey’s war between Newark and Essex County, Trenton and the preposterous attempt to mimic the South Jersey Pinelands county at-large threatened to implode over the replacement with its own boogieman and get in the heads of the rest of for U.S. Rep.-elect Bonnie Watson Coleman and give an the state went terribly, laughably wrong when campfire edge to defeated – but still unified – Middlesex. horror stories of a green anaconda never materialized in reality – and even prompted locals to take running dives The Ultimate Power Outage of the Lake Hopatcong docks in gleeful defiance of what In Paterson, Rigo Rodriguez grew tired of seeing his turned out to be a Matawan 1916 bust. 1name in print accompanied by the tag line “indicted elected ofcial.” A judge went busily to work on that The Power Stare headache when he issued a ruling in the Rodriguez ballot Vladimir Putin scared the world this year when fraud case. The judge kept the word “indicted” but decided 3 Russia invaded Ukraine and the GOP jeered at to ban Rodriguez from ever again being an elected ofcial. Wimp-in-Chief Barack Obama. President George W. Bush Problem solved!

          

       

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