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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 George Washington Bridge scandal gave Gov. Chris Christie and those around him a power haircut. Obviously, you’ll see the likes of former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman David Samson 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 David Wildstein, Bridget Anne Kelly, Bill Stepien, Bill Baroni and David Samson.
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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 United States 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 George Norcross conservative Steve Lonegan 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 County Executive-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 Loretta Weinberg, Senator Paul Sarlo 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 Essex County Executive 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 Cory Booker (D-NJ) Attorney As it was in Newark The childhood chum of when10. he served as then-Mayor Booker’s U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez 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 Rudy Giuliani 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 Bergen County Executive’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 Bill Pascrell, 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 Hillary Clinton 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 Frank Lautenberg 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. Steven Fulop 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 Phil Murphy 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 Troy Singleton (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 New Jersey Senate 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. Donald Norcross (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.