To those of you who tried to dig our political grave…

2017 RETROSPECTIVE Taking chances has its place ... just not in your health plan.

Atlantic City is known for gambling. But when it comes to your health plan, you can do without the risk.

Although there are lots of changes happening in the New Jersey market, what has not changed is UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to New Jersey. If you’re a small business that is going to lose your current health insurance plan, you can find similar plans within our Oxford1 portfolio. And if you’re thinking about trying something new, we have a variety of options that may be just what you’re looking for.

Play it smart. Switch to the company with a 30-year track record serving thousands of New Jersey businesses.

Visit uhc.com/NJstability or call your broker.

1Oxford HMO products are underwritten by Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc. Oxford insurance products are underwritten by Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. MT – 1158601.0 ©2017 Oxford Health Plans LLC. All rights reserved. 17-6216 NJ-17-546

2 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

P.O. Box 66 Verona, NJ 07044 [email protected] www.InsiderNJ.com IT WAS A HORRIBLE YEAR! For Republicans not named Chris Brown. If you were a Democrat, you probably thought 2017 was great. If you’re a whopping 65% of the registered voting population of New Jersey, you don’t care...You’re bored. You wanted the general election to look like The Ten Commandments and instead it had the feeling of Exodus: Gods and Kings . Max Pizarro Editor-in-Chief To the extent that the state simply stagnated, murky, ugly and finally irrelevant. Despite [email protected] or even sank dismally in on itself like the 101.5 radio shock jock Bill Spadea’s best ef - banks of a swamp collapsing and the ensuing forts to turn the 2016 vote into a 2017 rebel - chemical reaction produced a gaseous haze lion, none of the incumbent Republicans who that blanketed our condition, we could count backed the gas tax, among them state Senator 2017 a success. Otherwise, it was another dis - Steve Oroho (R-24), who co-authored the mal 12 months in New Jersey politics. bill, and Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce (R-26), had any real trouble getting back into To start with, we have a state pension system office. Pete Oneglia that is underfunded by $50 billion. General Manager If the Republicans saved their best pushing [email protected] Freed from having to worry about how his ac - and shoving for the primary before at least try - tions impact New Hampshire, Governor ing to project some (soft) party unity for No - Chris Christie crash landed back in Jersey after vember, establishment Democrats contented Michael Graham his 2016 presidential run and signed – amid CEO themselves with having secured all 21 primary train wrecks, commuter bedlam and crum - lines for their gubernatorial candidate and bling infrastructure – a gas tax hike for estate John F.X. Graham mostly snoozing through doomed challenges Publisher tax disintegration – to infuse the Transporta - from John Wisniewski, Jim Johnson and Ray tion Trust Fund (TTF) with cash. That Lesniak, before going to war with themselves Ryan Graham sparked a brawl in an already badly damaged in the general – and ultimately winning com - Associate Publisher and capsized Republican Party. Watching the fortably. In a developing post-primary GOP fight one another was like observing a statewide leadership food fight, the South scuba dive fight in a black and white movie: Continued on Page 5

3 INSIGHTS. DRIVE. RESULTS.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS STRATEGY DIGITAL CAPABILITIES

Immersive Research Digital Strategy Campaign and Coalition Management Social Media Issue Advocacy Creative Design Stakeholder Engagement Data-Driven Analytics Targeting Video Production Content Development MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS Advertising Message Development & Opinion Research Media Training BRAND POSITIONING Executive Positioning Crisis Communications Branding Rapid Response Strategic Consulting Earned Media Public A airs Risk Management Paid Media Advertising Start-Up Incubation

CHICAGO MIAMI NEW JERSEY NEW YORK WASHINGTON, D.C. 222 W. Merchandise 3250 NE 1st Avenue 608-612 Cookman Ave 200 Varick Street 1100 G Street NW Mart Plaza, Suite 2400 Suite 305 Unit 5 Suite 201 Suite 350 Chicago, IL 60654 Miami, FL 33137 Asbury Park, NJ 07712 New York, NY 10014 Washington, D.C. 20005 312. 664. 0153 305. 964. 8035 732. 280. 9600 212. 929. 0669 202. 331. 1002

4 RETROSPECTIVE 2017 bullied the North, using Middlesex as a cudgel to torment Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32), who fought back by refusing to enable a South-stamped Christie plan to raid the re - serves of Horizon Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Having sat out a primary and the opportunity to recruit someone who actually believes in what they stand for, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) went all in with a Repub - lican factory worker from Salem County (a big Christie and Donald Trump supporter) in an effort to trip up Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3). Hanging on for dear life as Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19) contin - ued to harass him for caucus votes, Prieto set his sights on new frontiers of Democratic Party conquest – LD25, LD39 and (to a lesser extent) LD40 – not because he necessarily had a beef with any of the Republicans in those districts, but because he wanted to put down the establishment Democratic Party plan hatched in South Jersey to get rid of him.

The main drama of the general election con - ment got back into office on the ment, ignorance and insistence on inci - test consisted of Lieutenant Governor Kim strength of a combination of public ap - vility as a replacement for discussion, Guadagno, the Republican nominee for gov - athy, backroom deal-making, and the war as an alternative to debate, and signs ernor, warning the state about the resurrection easy angle of being able to blame the everywhere of an ailing political system of another Goldman Sachs lib, even as few lame duck Christie rather than examine increasingly supplanted by shadow seemed to care, with the face of Christie fail - the deeper foundations of New Jersey sources of unending financial wealth, re - ure more obvious and easy to scapegoat than dysfunction. member this, state Senator Brian P. the dozens of mostly unknown Christie-en - Stack still knows how to get the organi - abling Democrats who made up the legislative So here we go, into the post-Christie era zation vote out in Union City, women majority. The first Murphy-Guadagno debate with a new captain on the bridge of the had a good year and so did South Asians made Christie-Corzine 2009 look like the Enterprise (Don’t worry, Cory, you’re – signs of life on otherwise mostly mori - Lincoln-Douglas debates. The second one was still our first choice to play Captain bund terrain – and we will still have In - like a replay of the Burr-Hamilton duel at Kirk), minus Wisniewski, Lesniak and siderNJ; and wherever it is in this Jersey Weehawken, with an apparently mortally Jack Ciattarelli, and with Donald Trump Devil is in the Details land – you will wounded Murphy nonetheless ultimately pre - still in the White House. We’re looking find us in Tough Guys Don’t Dance vailing on Election Day. Armed with NRA forward to it, kind of the way those mode, committed to the political cause gun money and dumbed down atmospherics, noble Romans must have looked for - – of politics itself. Guadagno sounded the higher taxes alarm ward to the end of their civilization bell, “taxes, taxes, taxes,” while Murphy in re - while Emperor Nero fiddled away on Max Pizarro sponse simply dutifully hit the Christie- the charred ramparts. But amid the up - Max Pizarro Guadagno-Bridgegate gong over and over and heaval and political heartache and heart - over again to bolt across the finish line by dou - break, in a thicket of rapidly increasing Editor, InsiderNJ ble digits. Nearly everyone in the establish - illiteracy, and overall civic disengage -

5 6

RETROSPECTIVE 2017

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR: JIM WHELAN

We regret that we must administer this ever constituency was at hand. The first Land,” he said in 2007, in response to a award posthumously, but we do so with a time we met Whelan, in fact, he was help - policy question, when the GOP opened sense of pride in the service of a real New ing to commemorate a street to the mem - their campaign headquarters near the chil - Jerseyan and man’s man, an educator and ory of an Iraq War veteran killed in the dren’s amusement park. But it was never athlete who distinguished himself as a line of duty. “Do you think the state sen - mean-spirited with Whelan. You just got champion of his home city of Atlantic ate can stand to have another Irish guy up the sense, even through the worst of At - City – and particularly of the youth of the there with Codey?” we asked the assem - lantic City’s travails, that he cared about city. We feel lucky to have known Senator blyman and former mayor as he prepared the people he served, and ached for better Whelan, a guy who dedicated his life to to run for the state senate. “I think so,” he days. If he was going to try like hell to im - young people. You couldn’t walk the said, unsmilingly enduring the tedium of prove the quality of life for all in Atlantic streets of that town in Whelan’s company banter. “That’s what it had for years when City but never get there, he was at least without running into his former students, Gormley served.” That was Whelan. Mat - along the way going to inspire the coming who invariably had a kind and respectful ter of fact. He also seldom shied away age with a life of public service and a pres - word for coach. In a world of backslap - from a fight, for years going toe to toe ence forged in dignity. ping idiocy, Whelan was cool: that tall with the Callaways and later Lorenzo and lanky, shoulders-stooping-in-a-small- Langford. And then all those general elec - room perennial jock who refused to adopt tion fistfights with the GOP. “I think the a phony demeanor simply to suit what - Republicans are living in Storybook

7 G  R  • P A • A   M

 R V P , T , NJ  --

8 Learn more at njpsi.com RETROSPECTIVE 2017

POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR: PHIL MURPHY

Look, you may not be thrilled that yet an - Teddy Kennedy bookended Corzine, a showed a knack for good political timing. other Goldman Sachs dude will be the confession the lame duck governor made The late great Ray Durkin always used to next governor of New Jersey. It’s irritating, in his final budget address. At least in say about politics, “Find the parade and but then – so is life in New Jersey. The Murphy’s case it seems a little more re - jump in front.” That’s what Murphy did, place is roughly divided into two camps: gionally consistent - that is if he were the and by the way, Durkin always said Mur - those enduring life here while they bank governor-elect of Massachusetts. But give phy was going to be the next governor. as much money as they can in order to get the guy his due. He campaigned hard – The guv-elect seized hold of the public’s the hell out of here, and those whose lives even if he had no real opposition. Hon - agony over Christie’s second term, were such a living hell before they got here estly, he could’ve retired to his Italian bun - mashed it together with unease over that they think this high taxed, litter- galow prior to Nov. 7th and he still Trump, and walked in – with a Usain strewn highway is actually the promised would’ve won comfortably. At least we Bolt-like flourish from the Asbury Park land. Murphy’s a little like Corzine in the know he won’t be going to that bungalow stage to finish the job. sense that he appears eager to atone for a anytime soon now that he’ll be governor Gordon Gecko life by reaching back to of the intractably ungovernable New Jer - embody a life that inspired him as a kid: sey. He’ll need to hit the national cam - in his case, a Kennedy-like commitment paign trail early if indeed he’s going to be to public service. Bobby Kennedy bucked president in 2020. All right. We’ll stop. up the Boston-born Murphy, just as Look. Murphy did a good job, and he

9 EDUCATION RESOURCES ADVOCACY NETWORKING EVENTS

Resources for owners. Connections for vendors. NJAA brings the multifamily industry together.

The NJAA is the premier trade association for New Jersey’s apartment industry. Join us today at njaa.com.

10 ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Œȱ˜ ȱ˜ž—Š’˜—ȱŒ˜—›Šž•ŠŽœȱŠ••ȱ‘Žȱ™˜•’Œ¢ȱ‹›Š’—œȱ ’—ȱŽ ȱ Ž›œŽ¢

!

Spearheaded legislation Spearheaded legislation A-4188 to document A-4331 to increase training Alzheimer’s disease on Alzheimer’s disease to Spearheadedrelated legislation deaths. ę SpearheadedHome Health legislation Care Aides A-4188 to document A-4331 to increase training Alzheimer’sThe diseaserst Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Northern NJon providing Alzheimer’s Support, disease Education to relatedƟŽ deaths. ę Resources, and Advocacy to families livingHome with Alzheimer’s Health diseaseCare Aides /actnowfounda n.org or a related dementia. @actnow4alz Ɵ The rst Alzheimer’s Resource Center of Northern NJ providing Support, Education 830 BergenResources, Avenue, andSuite Advocacy 8A, Jersey to City, families NJ 07306 living / with 201-721-6721 Alzheimer’s / www.actnowfounda disease on.org / or a related dementia.

11 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

WINNER OF THE YEAR: VIN GOPAL

We respect Senator Jen Beck, which is tor-elect from LD11, who could run for herty and Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik; why we can’t overstate Gopal’s 4,000-plus governor someday (if we believe again and beyond, with the likes of Senate Pres - (31K to 27K) victory in the battleground someday that the state senate is a proving ident Steve Sweeney (D-3), Middlesex contest of the year. Had Beck beaten ground for our gubernatorial prospects County, and Senator Nick Scutari (D- Gopal, we would have made her the win - and not a dumping ground for transac - 22). ner of the year. tional rejects). He ran an excellent race, and made his - In the end, it had to go to Gopal. The son of doctors, the magnetic Gopal tory on Election Day as the first South spent years building his own businesses – Asian American to win a senate seat in the Not since Cory Booker became mayor of a publishing house and clothes manufac - history of the New Jersey Legislature. Newark have we watched a star quite this turing - while simultaneously building the bright hatch out of the dreadful swamp- Monmouth County Democratic Com - scape of New Jersey. The wonder of it all mittee, which he inherited from one of his (to quote fellow Jersey native John Piz - mentors, Vic Scudiery. He built successful zarelli) is that Gopal is actually from here, campaigns from the ground up, resolving elevating – in his own humble way - the party conflicts in places like Asbury Park, state’s profile beyond the realm of pre - while strengthening alliances both in- dictable fat bumpkin to sophisticated county with powerhouses like U.S. Rep. screen idol. Keep your eye on this sena - Frank Pallone, Belmar Mayor Matt Do -

12 13 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Winner of the Year: Runner-up her running mate (33,000 to Simon’s most competitive local election of the Chris Brown 29,000 votes), after barely beating her by year, in the process nuclearizing Council fewer than 100 votes in 2015, he pulled President Jen Giattino with Trump asso - in running mate Roy Freiman. ciation on the strength of her membership in the Republican Party. Bhalla made his - tory as the first Sikh American elected Winner of the Year: Runner-up mayor of an American town. Shelley Brindle Winner of the Year: Runner-up Women in Politics Come swearing-in time, a record 41 women will stand among the ranks of It was not a Republican year – a mild un - New Jersey’s Board of Chosen Freehold - derstatement – the South Jersey Demo - ers, according to research prepared by the cratic machine threw significant resources Center for American Women and Politics against him, and Brown – a Desert Storm (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute war hero and retired judge – still won the of Politics at Rutgers University-New general election against Senator Colin Brunswick. The center tallied a total of 15 Bell. The former HBO executive stung the old women winners of 2017 elections who GOP boys network in Westfield by play - will join 26 holdovers, for a total of 30 The unofficial count was Brown’s 24,170 ing on Christie agony and an untapped votes to Bell’s 20,528. percent of all freeholders serving in 2018. women’s rage in the Trump era to depose CAWP finds that a total of 14 women of No other Republican (arguably with the the GOP incumbent in a classically GOP color will serve as freeholders in 2018, exception of Kip Bateman in LD16, who Union County town. also a record; including six Black women, did not face a well-funded challenger) five Latinas, and three Asian-American running in a so-called battleground could women. The previous peak number of buck the tide. Winner of the Year: Runner-up women of color was 12, set in 2017. Ravi Bhalla Significantly, Beck couldn’t do it in LD11. “Newcomers to the Atlantic County But Brown could, and did. Board of Chosen Freeholders include two Winner of the Year: Runner-up women who ran in response to a Face - book post by Freeholder John Carman Andrew Zwicker making fun of the Women’s March in Jan - uary. Ashley Bennett defeated Carman, and Caren Fitzpatrick also took the march itself, and Carman’s post, as motivation to run,” according to CAWP.

The results included a freeholder win by Middlesex County’s Shanti Narra, who pulverized her Republican opponent 92K-60K votes; and Brindle’s storied local victory in the Westfield mayor’s race.

Not only did the assemblyman from the 16th District – a plasma physicist turned Endorsed by retiring Mayor Dawn Zim - lawmaker – squash a come-backing for - mer, the Hoboken Council President mer Assemblywoman Donna Simon and bested a thorny field of adversaries in the

14

Best of luck to our friends and colleagues in 2018!

Sean M. Darcy, President

Round World Consulting PO Box 397, Belmar, NJ 07719 609-610-0543

15 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Loser of the Year: Senator-elect Chris Brown (R-2), too, dis - Losers Second Runner-up: Chris Christie tinguished himself in his beat-down of the The NJEA South Jersey Democratic machine. And Ok, so they showed some guts. No one then, of course, there’s Senator-elect De - else in recent times has taken a run at the clan O’Scanlon emergent as the successor South Jersey Democratic nerve center to retiring Senator Joe Kyrillos in LD13. with the kind of head-down, go for broke In a way, if you consider those three – in attitude demonstrated this year in the addition to Monmouth County Sheriff general election by the New Jersey Edu - Shaun Golden and U.S. Rep. Tom cation Association (NJEA). MacArthur (R-3) – you can see the GOP developing a strong and relevant bench of But the strategy to upend Senate Presi - players. If Murphy stumbles, anyone of dent Steve Sweeney (D-3) prompted puz - the aforementioned elected officials could zlement and finally real derision by the political class. It was bad enough that he spent a year prove formidable opponents. slogging through dreadful job approval But for the time being, based on the way Rather than recruiting a Democrat for the numbers, one reading as low as 16%. But Christie limped out of office, Trump primary, the leaders of the teachers’ union then he had to go and sit on a closed Is - tweeted a year’s worth of idiocy, and dredged up a Salem County Republican land Beach State Park during the state Guadagno arrived at the dance without a factory worker to give general election government shutdown. Almost every suc - chance, the NJ Republican Party needs to voice to their gripes about Sweeney, pro - cessful Democrat this year used Christie do some serious rebuilding. ducing the most expensive contest in the history of the New Jersey Legislature but optics to wound the opposing Republi - Don’t lose hope. can. You know it’s bad when Republicans finally a lopsided 31.5K to 22.2K tried to gain traction by making the argu - It’s not quite as bad as the Hindenburg. Sweeney win. ment that incumbent Democrats had Losers Second Runner-up: closer ties than they did to the GOP gov - Vincent Prieto ernor. Maybe most significantly, Senator- elect Vin Gopal poured $2.5 million into Again, give credit to late ads showing Republican incumbent the outgoing speaker Jen Beck’s head repeatedly morphing into for trying to hang that of Christie. It was a late and devas - on, which he didn’t tating attack. ultimately, as his at - tempts to play in LD25 and LD39 re - sulted in Republican wins – and did Losers Runner-up: nothing to prevent the inevitable, namely The NJGOP Assemblyman Craig Coughlin’s (D-19) ascent to the speakership. It wasn’t Team Guadagno’s fault Losers Second Runner-up: that they sat in a car Tom Kean, Jr. driven by the same The Senate Republi - guy who chauffeured can Leader did little Sonny Corleone. to help defeated Sen - Christie offed them. Then Trump kicked ator Jennifer Beck, dirt on the grave. while pumping late cash to the candidacy of Kelly It was a bad year for Republicans in the Langschultz in LD38. Ultimately, Kean state of New Jersey, with a few exceptions. got weaker, his caucus sliding from 16 to The candidacy of Assemblyman Jack 15, and Democrats bulking up to 25- Ciattarelli (R-16) got people’s attention. strong. The Republican mayor also went It’s hard to believe Jack won’t come back. down in Kean’s home town of Westfield.

16 17 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Comeback of the Year: Comeback of the Year Runner-up: 2016, and in a sense, that had to have Bob Menendez Sheila Oliver been the most boring two years in recent Usually the title political memory. It would be like Pete “emerita” or “emeri - Carroll knowing he could bag a Super tus” in New Jersey Bowl ring two seasons hence, if he just politics amounts to made his quarterback run around on the the equivalent of an field without really advancing the ball or epitaph, but not in the case of Speaker taking any chances. Now, of course, Mur - Emerita Oliver. Not that the title of lieu - phy did get sacked a few times. But it tenant governor by itself amounts to turned out he was never really in danger much, but Oliver – victorious on Election of losing the game, and he ended up win - Day as Phil Murphy’s running mate – ning with the margin he needed (13 to subsequently scored the job of commis - 14%) to swagger triumphantly into Tren - sioner of the Department of Community ton. He can assume the oath of office with Affairs, a powerful position in state gov - some real allies – not just in the northern ernment. counties initially secured in large measure by Gill – but in suburban battleground districts occupied by the likes of Assem - blyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16) and The Diner Booth Endless Cup of Senator-elect Vin Gopal (D-11). When ten of 12 jurors expressed their be - Coffee Award: Brendan Gill lief last week that the senior senator from New Jersey had not broken the law, Bob Menendez against two who held out against them, The Jerry Lewis Nutty Professor Award: Menendez declared “Resurrection Day.” Joe Piscopo The jurors’ collision following a lunatic nine-week trial, including eight nail-bit - ing days of deliberations, produced a hung jury result in the Menendez Cor - ruption case and a win for the embattled senator. “The presumption of innocence held on each and every one of the 18 counts,” veteran defense attorney Joe This really amounts to “operative of the Hayden told InsiderNJ. Although unre - year,” which Gill – Campaign Manager solved depending on what the federal gov - for Murphy – deserves. No, it wasn’t the ernment does next, the trial outcome perfect campaign. Far from it. And maybe indeed sparked new life in the senator, Gill specializes in chewing people’s heads who’s up for reelection in 2018. As of this off behind the scenes, but in public he’s Now it’s less likely than ever that Joe will moment in time, Menendez has the back - always the same lowkey, moderately intel - ever be governor. But he got his Dick ing – at the very least - of Governor-elect lectually curious presence: that turtle- Codey-like dangle of a statewide flirtation Phil Murphy and Democratic organiza - necked college professor who just as easily out there and the media lapped it up long tions in Hudson, Essex, Bergen, Passaic might be teaching a course on the col - enough to make his endorsement of Kim and Middlesex counties. “I made my lected works of James Joyce as plotting to Guadagno a news headline. It was fun share of mistakes, but my mistakes never lower the guillotine on a Murphy rival. while it lasted – kind of the same way the constituted a crime,” he told reporters Did Gill have any real William Wallace- Honeymooner’s Rap was fun – while it outside the federal building in Newark. sized moments on the campaign trail? lasted. Not bad for a guy who looked DOA at Probably not. Organizationally, it was the beginning of the year. cruise control from the time the northern chairs backed Murphy all the way back in

18 Innovative. Diverse. Effective.

Let our winning team deliver results for you in an ever-changing political landscape.

Gene www.cignj.comMulroy Gerville “Gerry” Gibbs, Jr. Shantè Palmer Paul Crupi Sabeen Masih Briana Piserchia

19 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The Jerry Lewis Nutty Professor Award The Upside: Ok, we saw no master strat - The 11th Hour Gutcheck Award: Runner Up: Andrew Zwicker egy in effect this year. We’re not dusting Steve Lonegan off the bicorn hat so McCabe can strut around Edison like Napoleon. But in the vacuum of political strategizing every - where else except South Jersey, the Mid - dlesex Democratic Chairman steered the rickety handcart of his delegation into the well-worn ruts that lead straight to Tren - ton by way of Camden County. For that he was easily the chair of the year.

The Downside: Judging by the way Essex’s Sheila Oliver and Hudson’s Vinny After losing four straight elections, includ - That ad made the LD16 assemblyman Prieto crashed out of the leadership seat ing one in an adopted (and fast discarded) look like he was ready to transmogrify like a pair of bowling pin spares, McCabe 3rd District, the former Mayor of Bogota into Buddy Love. has about two years on the clock to stand has a good feeling about his fifth try up there in the lane with Craig Coughlin – there in that 5th Congressional District. four years tops - before the very sight of But is he sure he wants to stay there? him offends GN3 and company and they Maybe it would be easier for him to take shop for a new northern county. Maybe 2017: a crack at the seat LoBo leaves behind in Bergen next time? Senator Paul Sarlo (D- retirement down in the 2nd District? The Year of the Murphys 36) has maintained very polished relations There’s always the old beach house argu - Phil and Peter Murphy indomitably with the South, even as sitting Chairman ment to snow the press while seamlessly proved the doubting thomases wrong as Lou Stellato has stubbornly resisted. relocating from up north to (yet another) the pair of Irish American politicians from shore district. opposing parties rode mutually to the fore in 2017, with the former bucking the Goldman Sachs tag to become governor Star Trek Red Shirt of the Year Award: Political Animal of the Year: and the latter shaking off the stigma of Matthew S. Seymour Stonewall Jackson striped pajamas to position himself as the most powerful field general of the Repub - lican Party in Passaic County.

The GN3 Training Wheels Award: Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe

In 2017 it was Seymour, who ran for an We’ve had pigs and pig crates in New Jer - assembly seat in the 38th District, beam - sey, elephants and tusks and the horses of ing down with the crew as a Republican, harness racing. But this was the year when only to eat an alien phaser blast and turn the groundhog finally saw his political into a Democrat. shadow, as that lovable woodchuck be - longing to Assemblyman Parker Space (R- 24) drew a target on his back from politically correct libtards equally scandal - ized by his master’s Confederate Flag tat - too.

20 21 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The 2017 Copperhead Award: Local Ad of the Year: Fulop for Mayor’s Statewide Ad of the Year: Parker Space “Day at the Beach” The Guadagno Campaign’s “Murphy’s Law”

Don’t worry, we wouldn’t allow Stonewall We always liked Fulop’s “Some things are Guadagno’s lesser known media buy was Jackson to steal all the glory. It wasn’t not meant to be easy” ad, when he dives actually her best ad, where a teacher asked enough that the LD24 assemblyman off the wharf and swims the Hudson a group of school children to give exam - stood in front of a Confederate Flag at a ples of how Phil Murphy’s encounters River. This one was as good – in its own with taxes he couldn’t resist hiking, Hank Williams, Jr. concert. He also had way. Charming. Engaging. Socially so - otherwise known as Murphy’s Law. How to go and get one emblazoned on his fore - phisticated. More prone to talk to people much impact did it have? None. arm. Oh, yeah, and then he has that one on one than play with a phone. Kind Guadagno still lost by double digits. groundhog named Stonewall. What’s of like Fulop. Word is old pro Menendez When you keep your mouth shut for next, his insistence on brandishing a loved it! eight years then run like you’ve got some - replica of the saber used by General thing to say, you lose. It’s Murphy’s Law. Armistead at the Battle of Gettysburg at the next legislative ice cream social?

Legislative Ad of the Year: Rock Star of the Year: “Dice” Jon Bon Jovi Best Joke at the Microphone Award: Cardinal Tobin

The Republican State Leadership Com - mittee’s casino-themed attack ad against The big-haired rock and roll hero and New Jersey native asserted his influence state Senator Colin Bell made the incum - by very early getting behind the guberna - bent look like a tool not only of South Jer - torial candidacy of his friend and fellow sey – but of North Jersey. Middletown resident Phil Murphy. Never “I thought getting elevated to cardinal was an apolitical type to begin with, Jon Bon the peak experience of my life…And then worked successfully with Christie and t h e r e was the train.” state Senator Joe Vitale on the Good Spoken at Marriott Wardman in Samaritan Drug Overdose bill, and forged an alliance with U.S. Senator Cory Washington, D.C. after the cardinal Booker (D-NJ) when Booker served as had ridden the notoriously drunken Mayor of Newark. Chamber Train.

22 PEOPLE NOT SERVICES WE BELIEVE IN WILLIAMEXECUTIVE MURRAYVICE PRESIDENT, RICHSENIOR LEVESQUE VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL MANAGER One Meadowlands Plaza 222 West State Street East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Trenton, NJ 08608 [email protected] [email protected] P. 201.460.2835 P. 609.503.8045

For more information please visit: www.mww.com +

23 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The 2017 Version of Stender is a The William Henry Harrison Award The Marty Barnes Corruption Award: Spender: “Jack it Up” Runner-up: Colin Bell Jose “Joey” Torres Bell was in the senate seat long enough to get choked up at the swearing-in cere - mony.

Unofficial High Vote-Getter Among A Republican insider who supported Jack New Jersey’s 40 State Senators: Ciattarelli for governor confessed that he Dick Codey People said they saw it coming. Certainly, couldn’t look at a Ciattarelli for Governor Torres never looked like he was audition - sign without hearing the branding job ing to get the Peter Rodino Lifetime Kim Guadagno’s campaign did early on Achievement Award. But he went down her Republican Primary rival: “Jack it hard, and it hurt to watch Paterson once Up!” Working with a difficult narrative, again have to limp out of the ruins of yet GOP message maker Larry Weitzner de - another handcuffed “public servant.” serves credit for giving Guadagno every Didn’t we already watch this movie with chance to win. Barnes, with Anthony Davis, with Rigo Rodriguez, and on and on? For his part, Torres apparently thought it would be cool to have city workers fulfill private projects for himself on the public over - The William Henry Harrison Award: time dime. He’ll have five years in the can Ruby Cotton The former acting governor and 27th to think about it. District State Senator unofficially pro - duced the highest vote totals in the Nov. 7th General Election, but it was close enough to probably warrant a recount. The Roberto Duran Ill-Advised The top eleven finishers, according to Comeback Award the State Division of Elections:

40,989: Codey 40,927: Chris Connors 40,737: Jim Beach Cotton didn’t even last a week as Mayor 40,200: Troy Singleton of Paterson before the ravenously ambi - tious city council turned her out and re - 39,379: Jim Holzapfel placed her with the politically 38,376: Fred Madden Kristin Corrado ended up beating Bergen non-threatening business administrator 35,631: Thomas Kean County Republican Chairman Paul Di - otherwise known as Acting Mayor What’s Gaetano by 4-1. We don’t begrudge Paulie Her Name? 35,420: Mike Doherty the shot, but at this point, let’s face it, “People should know when they’re con - 35,364: Steve Oroho quered.” 35,171: Jeff Van Drew 34,218: Brian Stack

24 The partners and staff of 1868 Public Affairs possess the diverse backgrounds and skills reflective of the complex government and business environment in which they work.

Policy Intervention / Budget & Legislative Advocacy / Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Government Marketing & Procurement / Strategic Planning & Communications / Grassroots Mobilization

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

George Gilmore, Esq. / LeRoy Jones, Jr. / Idida Rodriguez / Rich Ambrosino / Patrick Torpey

25 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The Carl Bernstein Studmuffin Award: The 2017 Chickens Have Come Oration of the Year: Jonathan Dienst Home to Roost Award Ras Baraka

The NBC News reporter did all the inves - Were they really effective surrogates for The eloquent speech the Newark Mayor tigative legwork that resulted in his break - Phil Murphy? The former Secretary of gave at his campaign kick-off made people ing the story open on Paterson Mayor Jose State surprised party members at a Leroy in attendance feel so uncomfortable, one “Joey” Torres’ misdeeds. Dienst is no Jones breakfast when he announced, out wag was heard to remark, “Doesn’t Ras get Ernest Hemingway, who hunted big game of nowhere, “I actually did vote for the it, this is New Jersey, people aren’t sup - in Africa, but having a stuffed mayoral $1.3 billion, before I voted against it.” posed to speak in full sentences.” wall mount from the state’s third largest Then there was former Vice President Al Oration of the Year Runner-Up city in his archives is no small feat for the Gore, who at an event in Monmouth Leroy Jones sharp-elbowed network newsman. County told Murphy – at that point rid - When he endorsed ing a 14-point margin of victory - “Phil, Ted Green for Mayor I’ll put Kim Guadagno and Carlos Rendo of East Orange, the in a lock box.” That’s good stuff, John and Essex County Dem - The Uncomfortable Caucus Colleague Al. You put Phil over the top here, don’t Award: Ronald L. Rice ocratic Committee let anyone else tell you otherwise. Chairman appeared to channel Martin Luther King, Jr. That’s a lot to live up to, Ted. The Hudson Organizational Roots Award: Mark Razzoli Rising Star of the Year: Hector Lora

During that competitive LD11 general election, worried about the expanded in - fluence of GN3, Rice routinely tried to buck up the candidacy of incumbent Sen - ator Jen Beck. It didn’t work, and when Senator-elect Vin Gopal caucused with his Democratic colleagues, including Rice In Middlesex, the local Democratic and the similarly South Jersey-despising Chairman in Old Bridge had a single seat The good news is the Passaic Mayor Senator Dick Codey, he made certain to before the election, and added two more, buried his opponent in May’s local non - point out that he was his own man, with continuing to turn heads with the politi - partisan election. The bad news is the last a profusion of monies from multiple cal organizing skills the Jersey City cop four out of five mayors ended up behind sources, who had not received consider - picked up in Hudson. bars. able Norcross funds on his way to beating not only Beck – but Rice and Codey.

26 27 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Young Operative of the Year Award: Best Losing Candidate of the Year: his other Fs? I freakin’ got straight Fs in Axel Owen Jack Ciattarelli freakin’ high school and flunked out of freakin’ college, and look at me, I’m a freakin’ success! What does Phil MEAN by that? I thought he was one of us!”

The Play for Trump Love Award: Tom MacArthur

The campaign manager for Gopal for “Well, Jack, at least we tried,” reads the Senate in the 11th District proved a calm inscription on the framed photo in the and competent presence as his candidate classic movie The In-laws, and that might ended up winning the election by more just as easily apply to the gubernatorial than 4,000 votes. campaign of the retiring Assemblyman He came into office looking like a future from Hillsborough. It turned out that senator or governor. But the wealthy and Ciattarelli was never really in the Repub - likeable Congressman from the 3rd Dis - lican Primary for Governor, as Kim trict arguably hampered his statewide as - Veteran Operative the Year: Guadagno beat him handily: 47-31%. pirations when he trotted out the Allison Murphy But the Somerset County businessman MacArthur Amendment and attempted ran a gutsy, shoestring campaign and to lifeline President Donald J. Trump on more than anything showed himself to be Obamacare repeal. Then he voted aye on a game and smart candidate. Hopefully he a budget that tomahawks New Jersey, the comes back. only member of the New Jersey Congres - sional delegation to do so, leaving the po - litical class wondering whether he was angling for governor, or a Trump Admin - “The Proudest F of My Life” istration cabinet position.

The 1st District used to be Republican, then it used to be competitive: then Jeff The Cowardly Lion Award: Van Drew came along and cemented his Rodney Frelinghuysen position as the senator. He beat Mary Gruccio this year: 35K to 18K. For ten years he has had the organizational smarts of Murphy, the consummate pro, who now appears poised to help her boss make the transition from state senate to con - After throwing that quote out there when gress with the retirement of U.S. Rep. he received a failing grade from the Na - Frank LoBiondo (R-2). tional Rifle Association (NRA), Phil Mur - His life is a town hall! That was the lame phy nearly issued an apology to those excuse the veteran congressman’s allies bewildered New Jersey politicians who gave as Frelinghuysen pulled a Stonewall heard the first note of discord in an oth - Jackson (the groundhog, not the general) erwise pitch-perfect populist message and burrowed in underground rather than from the Democratic candidate for Gov - face the public at an actual town hall ernor. “You mean he wasn’t proud of all event.

28 29 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Cold Sweat Award: Stonewall Jackson Award: Debate Performance of the Year: Kip Bateman Parker Space Wiz

The unknown Lauren Poppe hardly Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) is a patient We’ll miss Wiz. He was smart and well looked like the Democrats’ best choice to man, but it is said he put his foot down prepared and always put the people – not go up against LD16 battleground occu - when slate mate Space apparently re - his own business interests – first. Well, ok, pant Bateman, which we reckon was by quested that the Republican incumbents two out of three ain’t bad. He showed real design. But the down-ballot assembly war, in LD24 use Waylon Jennings’ Dukes of mettle when he squared off against Phil coupled with polls showing Murphy de - Hazzard theme and reenact the opening Murphy in the NJTV debate. Best line of stroying Guadagno, had to have made credits as their first campaign commercial the evening: “You’ve bought the Demo - Bateman nervous more than a few times of the 2017 season. Space settled on re - cratic Party, but they haven’t bought you. throughout the 2017 general election sea - ceiving the endorsements of Enos, Uncle son. He ended up winning by 600 votes, Jesse, Roscoe, and Cooter. hardly a comfortable margin. Grandfather of the Year: Catalino Guerrero Profiles in Opportunity: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em: Joey Muniz Dick Codey

An undocumented home owner and tax - payer from Union City, the Mexican na - tive, a grandfather of four, in March received a President Donald J. Trump-di - People loved Dick Codey when he was Vinny Prieto’s human albatross stacked so rected federal deportation order to report acting governor, but he couldn’t compete to the U.S. Immigration and Customs with the cynically-connected money of a many jobs, we lost count when he took the board appointment to Horizon. Any - Enforcement (ICE) office in Newark. Goldman Sachs guy named Jon Corzine. U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory So he didn’t run. This time, rather than way, great job, Joey, the taxpayers of New Jersey feel so much more comfortable Booker subsequently celebrated ICE’s ap - waste anyone’s time with talk of a pro - proval of a stay of removal application in jected statewide campaign, he got behind knowing you’re on the case the case. But it’s not over. Although al - the Goldman Sachs candidate early. lowed to stay in the U.S. for another year, grandfather Guerrero still faces deporta - tion under President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies…

30 WE FEED 9 MILLION WE SUPPORT NJ RESIDENTS A DAY LOCAL FOOD BANKS

WE EMPLOY OVER WE ARE JOB 200,000 PEOPLE CREATORS & ENTREPRENEURS WE ARE THE NEW JERSEY FOOD COUNCIL ANCHORS OF OUR COMMUNITIES Linda M. Doherty, NJFC President VISIT NJFOODCOUNCIL.COM 609 392 8899 | [email protected] 30 WEST LAFAYETTE, TRENTON, NJ 08608

31 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

George Norcross III Versus the NJEA Working Stiff of the Year Award The Vince Mazzeo Award for Debate Excellence: Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling

In 2015, the South Jersey Democratic Party powerhouse and the big teacher’s union combined financial forces to rid the 11th District of the two incumbent Re - publicans. But in 2017, GN3 and the teacher’s union trained their fire on each The unnamed guy that you see driving a other in LD3. moon buggy across the perfectly mani - cured green lawns of that Trump Golf Houghtaling almost had his “the thing Course in Bedminster, who you know just about the white-out” moment when he knows where the bodies are buried. received a question about where he stands Ginning up the Base Award: on a sanctuary state. “I don’t know,” said Phil Murphy the Monmouth County assemblyman, prompting gasps and giggles from his Re - The Willie Horton Revolving Turn - publican rivals. stile Award: Guadagno’s Sanctuary State Ad

Murphy appeared to give a big Hail Mary Vegetable and Fruit of the Year: opening to Kim Guadagno in their first Broccoli and Grapefruit debate when he said he would turn New Jersey into a sanctuary state if he had to in order to resist President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to rescind DACA. She took it, which was a mistake. New Jer - Down to Phil Murphy and in desperation seyans didn’t want Willie Horton redux. mode, Guadagno chucked up a Willie Horton Hail Mary that all but attempted to brand Murphy as an MS-13 gang lord. Statue of the Year: It’s a good thing the Democrat stayed Richard Stockton away from getting in a tank to prove his tough guy cred, like that other Massachu - setts liberal. But just the same, on the strength of the Sanctuary State Ad, some - Guadagno thought she had scored a where, Lee Atwater must have been knockout blow – and the governorship – proud. on the strength of Murphy’s bungled an - swer to his favorite vegetable and fruit question in their second debate. We’re pretty sure Joe D. won’t be commis - sioning a statue of slave owner Stockton for the Essex County Courthouse grounds.

32 BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEW JERSEY RELIES ON

Greg Lalevee Business Manager, IUOE Local 825 Mark Longo ELEC Director

ELEC is a labor-management organization that promotes economic development, www.elec825.org infrastructure investments and construction to provide opportunities for developers, union contractors and members of Operating Engineers Local 825. 973.630.1010

33 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The Moves like Jagger Award: Slogan of the Year: The Oliver Reed Trenton Welcomes Brian P. Stack “The wealthiest among us” You Award: Phil Murphy

Looking like the ultimate Rolling Stones If Murphy’s favorite line last year was Having been elected governor of New Jer - road show, Hudson rock star Stack “Middle Class on a good day,” the 2017 sey, in the days after the election Phil showed up in South Jersey in mid-Octo - debate season enabled the Goldman Sachs Murphy showed up at the Statehouse for ber with busload after busload of cam - millionaire to trot out the assurance that a gubernatorial training exercise. There, paign workers determined to swamp he would protect New Jersey from “the in a sandpit and attired in swords and san - Republican Fran Grenier in defense of wealthiest among us.” Brendan Gill, it is dals, he encountered George Norcross III, Stack pal Senate President Steve Sweeney said, was shocked, when Murphy then an - Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and (D-3). nounced that he would be aborting his Oliver Reed as Proximo, recreating his own campaign for governor to live up to monologues from the early scenes in his pledge. Gladiator, and directing them at the gov - ernor-elect. As he spoke, and Murphy di - The Exceeding Expectations Award: gested the words against the backdrop of Kim Guadagno a stirring Hans Zimmer soundtrack, Word of the Year: Sweeney and Norcross doubled over in Mittelklasse stiches. It’s the German word for Middle Class (on a good day!). The Getting Weinberg and Goodfellas into One Blurb Award Quote of the Year: The Republican candidate for governor Menendez did better than Barbara Buono did in 2013, arguably getting the better of Mur - phy in both debates and leaving the GOP with a question: might we give her an - other chance? Fighting Christie and the GOP as much as Murphy and the De - mocrats, Guadagno by the end of it did not look like a victim ready to slink away Sweeney, Norcross and Murphy showed to lick her wounds, but an empowered up at Senate Majority Leader Loretta statewide candidate who had – after eight Weinberg’s (D-37) house in the dead of years of rubber chicken circuit Christie “To those who were digging my political night and the feisty Jewish grandmother madness – at last found her voice. Even if grave so they could jump into my seat… jawed with the three of them over dinner the NJGOP passes her over, there’s still I know who you are and I won’t forget before directly addressing the governor- hope. Guadagno can always fill in for you,” elect, “You, what’s the matter with you, Kellyanne Conaway as Donald Trump’s you don’t talk much, you don’t eat much.” spokesperson. “I’m just listening,” Murphy said.

34 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

The Rodeo Return of the Year Award: Breakout 2017 Star: Breakout 2017 Star: Joe Cryan Senator-elect Troy Singleton (D-7) Senator-elect Declan O’Scanlon (R-13)

The former Democratic State Party chair - Once the Chief of Staff to Assembly We’ve said it before. Republicans didn’t man and progressive legislator from the Speaker Joe Roberts, Singleton muscled have much to celebrate this year, and the 20th District (a former assembly majority his way into a senate seat vacancy this year loss of Senators Kevin O’Toole, Diana leader) took two years off to serve as to move from the assembly to the Senate. Allen, Jen Beck and Joe Kyrillos only en - Union County Sheriff, then made his hanced the misery. But O’Scanlon, ten move on the senate seat with the retire - years an assemblyman and a budget ex - ment at the end of this year of state Sen - pert, moves up at just the right time to ator Ray Lesniak. provide some upper chamber gravitas. 8"-,
5)&
8"-,

TU /&8
+&34&:
$)".#&3
0'
$0..&3$& 8"-,
UP
8"4)*/(50/ BOE
$0/(3&44*0/"-
%*//&3 ."3$)





+PJO
IVOESFET
PG
/FX
+FSTFZT
UPQ
NPWFST
BOE
TIBLFST GPS
BO
FWFOU
5IF
4UBS-FEHFS
DBMMT
³B
UJNF
IPOPSFE
USBEJUJPO
JO
FYUSFNF
OFUXPSLJOH´ BOE
³POF
PG
UIF
CJHHFTU
FWFOUT
JO
/FX
+FSTFZ´

'PS
NPSF
JOGPSNBUJPO
BOE
UP
SFHJTUFS
WJTJU






XXXOKDIBNCFSDPNXX

35 Congratulations to Max Pizarro Pete Oneglia & InsiderNJ on a

successful year reporting politics in nj Best of Luck in 2018!

36 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

POLITICAL STORY OF THE YEAR ment. The Hudson Democrat who Unresolved, Menendez’s case, tasked to Walls of Sound: The Menendez started off as a school board secretary tes - Judge William Walls, sent terror through Corruption Trial and Hung Jury tifying against a legendary war hero mayor the ranks of Hudson politicos who always Outcome in a corruption case, wearing a bullet counted on Bob being smarter than any - proof vest in case of retributions, found one else. If Menendez could allow himself himself 35 years later on trial for corrup - to get jammed up, who among them tion. Day after day in that federal court - could withstand a random cavity search? room in Newark, his life’s work as a social His indictment already arguably swung progressive with pragmatic foreign policy the tide of the 2017 gubernatorial election chops, who never shied away from a fight, away from Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop teetered at the brink of being minimized (said to have been Menendez’s original as the blow-up of a political boss fatally first choice). With the boss up on blocks, tethered to his own boss, otherwise Fulop lacked the political heft in Essex known as Dr. Salomon Melgen. and Bergen, and bowed out of the contest to eventual Democratic Party nominee Phil Murphy. But the consequences of the Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Senator “There is no doubt this is a tough man, trial reached far beyond the clouded wa - Cory Booker routinely received national- who can hold his ground,” said veteran ters of the Hackensack and Passaic rivers, sized headlines, but U.S. Senator Bob defense attorney (and Democratic State as President Donald J. Trump rattled Menendez (D-NJ), New Jersey’s only true Committeeman) Joe Hayden, who first Congress on the repeal of the Affordable government centaur, more than any other met Menendez when he cross-examined Care Act (ACA). If a jury found Menen - New Jersey politician embodied the hy - for two days back in 1982 in the Union dez guilty and forced him to resign his brid public service assets of politics and City Mayor Bill Musto corruption trial. seat, a Republican replacement would policy. From the start, Hayden has maintained that Menendez has a fifty-fifty chance of surely have chipped the President a needed vote to seesaw the senate closer to If there were show horses and work walking unscathed out of that federal a repeal verdict. The timing factor in the horses, Menendez was a work horse lug - sweathouse. trial resounded every day in D.C. as the ging a mounted howitzer with extra shells. state of New Jersey neared a January 2018 But it was more than that. If most New “The case pushes the outer boundaries of of a likely Democratic governor. Jersey politicians skate by with a flabby what constitutes bribery,” Hayden told tough guy persona learned from repeated InsiderNJ. “The senator has a longstand - viewings of The Godfather, Menendez ing friendship with someone of his her - In a sense, the healthcare debate repre - was James Caan with accompanying book itage [Melgen], a friend who is wealthy; sented Menendez’s last stand to make a smarts. As chairman of the Senate Foreign and we have the precedent of the [Vir - national-sized statement, even in defeat, Relations Committee he could deliver an ginia Governor Bob] McDonnell decision to fall on his grenade for the cause of his exhaustive policy speech on the hazards of about what constitutes gifts. This will be party, the political equivalent of his old the Iraq Nuclear deal or his reasons for important. It’s a 50-50 case partially be - late nemesis Musto, who did WWII duty opposing the Iraq War, or South Korea or cause the government does not have with Patton, if only defense attorneys Russia, then – without skipping a beat - someone like a David Wildstein in the Abbe Lowell and Ray Brown could delay just as easily make the case for why Mark Bridgegate case, for example, who claims and delay. Not that he was ever seeking it Smith should no longer be mayor of Bay - this was a corrupt deal. The government in an all-consuming way, but the senior onne, and influence the street people who must connect the dots circumstantially.” senator from New Jersey missed his counted to deposit Smith on the sidewalk. During deliberations, Hayden maintained chance at a national-sized spotlight when When a politician engages in multiple the feds did not adequately make the case his old friend, Hillary Clinton, finally be - fights as a matter of professional obliga - that Melgen’s gifts to Menendez crossed came the party’s nominee for president tion, he inevitably gets knocked down, so the bribery border line, leaving – arguably last year. Menendez would have been a it never boggled the mind that the hard- – their best shot hanging on his having naturally super-sized surrogate for a boiled Menendez should eat an indict - snubbed federal disclosure laws. Latino vote-scouring Clinton. And yet, al -

Continued on Page 39

37 38 RETROSPECTIVE 2017 ready embroiled in the pre-season of his up for by an admixture of Sicilian and northern brethren when he subsequently corruption trial, Menendez occupied the British Isles blood, Essex County-honed felt the weight of South Jersey pressure on shadows of that 2016 Democratic Na - political instincts, and all those trips to the subject of legislative leadership. “We’ll tional Convention, and its campaign af - Atlantic City and an unconscious proxim - have you know that little stunt did not go termath, ceding the bright lights to ity to that casino entrance statue of the to - unnoticed, Mr. Jones,” was the message Booker and others, his dreams of succeed - gaed Roman ruler. coming out of the South concerning his ing John Kerry as Secretary of State gubernatorial pick of Murphy over quashed amid the developing and now te - But now Christie’s on his way out of of - Sweeney. If he wanted to carry on, he diously and (calculatedly?) ongoing trial. fice, crossing the Rubicon of eight years could start by at least reupping Sweeney The bright lights might not have held too reminiscent of the opening scene in Glad - as Senate President, which would require much allure for the substance over style, iator, back to the leafy confines of sleepy him – in the name of bicameral power fairly stage-hog averse Menendez. But – Mendham, New Jersey. In his wake he sharing – to pony up his legislative dele - leaves a toothless Republican Party, weak - live or die in Newark – just as he reveled gation for Assemblyman Craig Coughlin ened by a leader who loved the sound of (D-19) as speaker. in those house-to-house political fistfights his own chariot wheels more than that of with Musto and the late Glenn Cunning - the horde, and a thoroughly divided and Sweeney didn’t get governor, thanks to ham and Fulop and Gerry McCann - he chaos-filled Democratic Party, half of Jones, chair of the biggest Democratic would have liked a secretary-of-state-sized whom did his dance, and the other of county in the state. crack at a muscular adversary like Putin, whom seethed while he ruled, all of them as a political, intellectual and patriotic ex - now wriggling like centipede sections, But thanks to Jones, Sweeney would re - ercise – and as a global balance to his en - fighting one another as Christie lame- tain the senate presidency. during local political preoccupations and duck-waddles stage right. habitations. All Jones had to do was deliver his dele - Others came and went, but three big gation to Coughlin of Middlesex, whose In the end, the jury hung itself, most of pieces of the opposition party suction- leaders had struck the deal with South Jer - the jurors unconvinced of Menendez’s cupped themselves to Christie while he sey for Sweeney. guilt, and yet two hold-outs preventing served as governor: South Jersey Democ - the return of a verdict of innocence. rats, Essex County Executive Joe DiVin - But the other northern chairs wanted a re - It would go on, evidently, but Menendez cenzo, and Union City Mayor (and turn to the throne of Speaker Vincent Pri - the fighter endured and appeared, at the Senator) Brian P. Stack. Now the public eto (D-32). So did most of the public end of the year, poised to win. party manifestation of that alliance, Sen - sector unions, apparently including the ate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) labors NJEA, that had warred with Christie for with a target on his back put there by his eight years and regarded the Building closeness to Christie, his November re - Trades private union friendly Sweeney as election rendered the most expensive con - a traitor to the House of Labor. This was Story of the Year Runner-Up: test in New Jersey legislative campaign a war that had gone on for over a decade, The Political Classes Jockey Toward history owing to the New Jersey Educa - well before Christie. At the 2007 AFL- a Transition of Power tion Association (NJEA) attempting to do CIO Conference in Atlantic City, public to him what it could never do to Christie. sector labor reps sought a formal rebuke The blowback on Sweeney came on the of Sweeney after he had made his initial, heels of the four northern Democratic pre-Republican Governor legislative effort chairs pulling together to endorse Phil to overhaul public pensions and benefits. Murphy for governor rather than em - power “Christie-crats,” as U.S. Senator AFL-CIO delegates rushed to Sweeney’s Bob Menendez (D-NJ) once called them, defense on the argument that labor could by awarding a leg-up on the nomination not be divided, but Christie – once in of - to Sweeney. fice – knew that show of solidarity was Julius Caesar thrilled to the concept of di - skin deep at best, and united his self-in - vide and conquer, and so did Chris One of those chairs, Essex County Dem - terested allies by keeping public sector and Christie, what the New Jersey governor ocratic Committee Chairman Leroy private sector labor at war. lacked in a fine print reading of the War Jones, would break company with his Commentaries maybe more than made Continued on Page 41

39 40 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Sweeney, South Jersey, DiVincenzo and around Sweeney in a show of 2013 friend - Political Stories of the Years: Stack wanted that template enforced, and ship, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Runners-Up Jones – having ratified the very public sec - (R-21) forged his own opportunity to tor-friendly Murphy – appeared eager to bounce the sitting senate president by smooth matters over by re-empowering partnering with the NJEA. Sweeney. Sweeney fought with Currie (who was That was fine by Middlesex County also chair of the Democratic State Com - Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe, mittee in addition to serving as chair of who would get Coughlin on the speaker’s the Passaic Party), and the NJEA at - throne out of the deal to back Sweeney. tempted to annihilate Sweeney. But the three other northern chairs, three- fourths of the so-called quad-county al - Urban areas versus suburbs. liance that included Jones - John Currie of Passaic, Lou Stellato of Bergen, and Pri - Prieto versus Coughlin. eto himself, chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization Christie-crats Part II versus public sector (HCDO) resisted, the rough outlines of unions. Coughlin versus Prieto the NJEA and other public sector unions behind them. Those same organizations Building Trades versus teachers and jani - The State Government Shutdown backed Prieto against their old adversaries tors. Christie Sitting on the Beach During Christie and Sweeney during the 2017 the Shutdown government shutdown. The general elec - Not to mention 11 credit downgrades, tion found Sweeney denying Currie a crippling property taxes, and a state at the Bridgegate Sentencing clear shot at the Passaic County clerkship brink. Sweeney Versus the NJEA and the Most he coveted, and the NJEA undertaking an Expensive Legislative Contest in History enormous effort to take Sweeney out of That was what Christie left behind, and The Summer Transportation Nightmare office by throwing millions behind Re - what Murphy was stepping into in Tren - publican factory worker Fran Grenier. ton: a house grotesquely divided against The GOP Primary Aftermath of the Gas itself, with the GOP mostly demoralized Tax Hike for Estate Tax Free-out Swap The northern chairs had made Murphy, or forced into NJEA servitude, as Democ - to Pay for TTF so the divide between north and south rats entangled in the biggest intra-party National Democrats Welcome Murphy put the south on suspicious ground with food fight in recent political memory at - the gubernatorial nominee, whose pro- tempted to regroup by publicly each The Lame Duck Twilight of Chris public sector worker platform appeared to pointing, even a little half-heartedly, one Christie undo all the best attempts at bipartisan re - of their nine fingers at President Donald Progressives Rise Up: Wisniewski and form undertaken by Christie and J. Trump – while continuing to freneti - Johnson get over 200,000 votes off the Sweeney. People could speak in broad cally grapple, in the best tradition of lead - line terms about Democrat and Republican, ers already long divided and conquered. Guadagno’s Sanctuary State Hail Mary but those terms lacked meaning in an at - Murphy Defeats Guadagno by almost mosphere that defense attorney Michael Julius Caesar would have been proud. 14 Points Critchley once characterized as a single party system of political opportunism. Stung by Christie’s efforts to campaign

41 ƕƏ$bm|o"b|;vbmş+ ѵĺƔbѴѴbom!;-7;uv

oˆ;ubm]lou;|_-m

;‰;uv;‹ş;‰+ouh

"b]m&r=ou !  -bѴ‹100 towns across ;Ŋ;‰v ou+o†u$o‰mĹ ‰‰‰ĺ|-rbm|oĺm;|ņ;m;‰v ‰‰‰Startĺv|-u‚-rĺm;| TAPinto in Your Town:

42 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

InsiderNJ’s Favorite 2017 Rivalries, Woodrow Wilson Versus Chris Christie George Gilmore Versus Bill Layton-Al Collisions and Feuds: Gaburo-Al Barlas Vincent Prieto versus Craig Coughlin

Having assumed office as New Jersey’s During the Republican Primary, the old Governor in 1911, Wilson was out of wounded lion, chair of the Ocean GOP, there before the end of his first term and fought a trio of Republican chairs respec - in the White House in March of 2013. tively from Burlington, Somerset and Then there’s the Christie model: wait and Essex counties. In the end, Gilmore won get reelected and… spiral into the abyss. when his choice for governor, LG Kim Now, if indeed he wants to take a crack at Guadagno, defeated Somerset County’s the presidency, Phil Murphy must decide Ciattarelli. Prior to the government shutdown, whether he wants to be the next Wilson Coughlin told the sitting speaker he or the next Christie. Sam Thompson Versus Art Haney would start kicking the tires on a run for speaker. Then he came out with a list of Kevin Tober Versus the Democratic assembly people he said supported him, Senate candidates forcing Prieto into cover-up mode. The collision came to a head when the speaker took over the financial and organizing arm of the Assembly Majority Office, oth - erwise known as the Democratic Assem - What the hell is going on over there in bly Campaign Committee (DACC), and Old Bridge? The place makes Bayonne turned his attention to LD39 and LD25 Camera in tow, the Senate Minority look like a Buckingham Palace tea and in a quest to build a new majority. But Leader staffer looked like a low-budget crumpets social. Anyway, veteran GOP Coughlin had South Jersey and a unified horror film director as he tramped from Senator Thompson beat Haney, and then Middlesex. district to district and tried to get a De - diminutive Old Bridge GOP Chair Lu - mocrat to say something stupid. Senator cille Panos beat up one of Haney’s coun - Bob Gordon found the exercise so irritat - cil-seeking allies. John Currie versus Steve Sweeney ing, he filed a harassment report with the state police. Steve Lonegan Versus John McCann The NJEA Versus Sweeney

The Democrats headed toward a general election showdown with the Republicans They’re both apparently all in on trying on Nov. 7th, so they did what Democrats In apparently the most expensive legisla - to win the nomination to run against U.S. do: they started a fight with themselves, tive district contest of all time, the New Rep. Josh Gottheimer in CD5. In order the Democratic State Party chairman on Jersey Education Association backed to avoid just what the Bergen GOP needs: one side and the Senate President on the Salem factory worker Fran Greiner in a another Bergen GOP bloodbath, the other. It boiled down to this: you’re not futile attempt to dethrone the Senate peace-seeking Lonegan vowed to move going to make me governor, ok, I’m not President as payment for past Sweeney into the Warren County portion of the going to let you be Passaic County Clerk. transgressions. 5th District.

43 Strength # Stability # Peace of Mind

Standing Up and Protecting Our Members, and New Jersey’s Health, for 85 Years

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. © 2017 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Three Penn Plaza East, Newark, New Jersey 07105.

44 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Ras Baraka Versus Gayle Chaneyfield Nick Chiaravalloti Versus Jason Linda Weber Versus Saily Avelenda Jenkins O’Donnell

This got ugly when Phil Murphy showed up at Newark Mayor Baraka’s kickoff. Chaney - field Jenkins had been an early Murphy for Governor backer, an alliance Murphy evi - Camera in tow, the Senate Minority Leader dently threw out the window when Joe D. staffer looked like a low-budget horror film and nearly everyone else in Essex County sig - director as he tramped from district to dis - naled their commitment to Ras. trict and tried to get a Democrat to say something stupid. Senator Bob Gordon They’re both bankers or ex-bankers and they both want to be leaders in the progressive Anthony E. Monroe Versus Joyce found the exercise so irritating, he filed a harassment report with the state police. movement. Earth to Weber and Avelanda: Harley banking and progressive politics add up to John Bartlett Versus Keith Kazmark one thing: an oxymoron. But it’s New Jersey, so at this rate, watch for either one of them to emerge as a Democratic governor with the support of the New Jersey progressive move - ment, just like Phil Murphy.

Phil Swibinski Versus Caseen Gaines Monroe, the new President of Essex County College, warred with a Board of Trustees that throughout the summer appeared intent on dumping him in favor of Joe D. ally Harley. The scrap appeared far from resolved when in The Passaic County Freeholder and Wood - September the board – under considerable land Park Mayor both appeared interested public pressure – took Monroe’s recommen - in a CD11 run. Bartlett ultimately declared dation of placing Harley on administrative his candidacy, while Kazmark – who leave with pay. seemed to have more party support in his home county than Bartlett – backed Mike Rodney Frelinghuysen Versus Tom Sherrill. MacArthur Linda Weber versus Lisa Mandleblatt Insiders forgot the names of the people run - ning in Hackensack as the nonpartisan con - test turned into a full-blown operatives’ mud fight, with Swibinski finally outwrestling the relentless Gaines. During the brutal fracas, the Hudson operative insisted that the contest was about the people of Hackensack, and not himself. But then immediately following his The pair of Republicans both voted in favor team’s win, and to Gaines’ horror, Swibinski of Obamacare repeal. But they handled the prevailed on the mayor to officially change aftermath very differently. The veteran con - Both women declared their intentions early the name of Hackensack to Secaucus, and gressman shied away from town hall events, in the Democratic pre-primary scramble to convinced him to move to reincorporate the while the newcomer went into enemy terri - take on U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7). Bergen county seat as a satellite Hudson mu - tory to hold a marathon encounter with the The party won’t be able to sustain both of nicipality. public in Willingboro. them.

45 46 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Rich Goldberg vs. Frank Giglio Mike DeFusco Versus the World Shariq Ahmad Versus Keith Hahn

The other three “top tier” candidates in this year’s Hoboken mayoral contest at least agreed on one thing: their hatred of The veteran Republican mayor of DeFusco. In a raging war for the sacred values of the Hawthorne, now entering his third full Democratic Party in Edison, Ahmad de - term, fended off a spirited challenge by Kevin O’Toole Versus Paul DiGaetano feated Hahn to become the local Demo - political newcomer Frank Giglio in a June cratic chair, just before Hahn switched primary and managed to escape a primary parties and ran for mayor as a Republican. fate that haunted his predecessors: defeat. Goldberg dug in and pulled out a victory, Phil Murphy Versus Chris Christie becoming the first mayor in Hawthorne history to survive a third-term primary challenge.

Bill Spadea Versus Chris Christie Where did they go wrong? Probably around the time the Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the Bergen County GOP Chairman told him he would kill him. DiGaetano denies saying it, but did not deny at - tempting it.

Marty Small Versus Frank Gilliam The outgoing Republican Governor in private conversations told anyone who would listen that he missed his chance by rejecting the Woodrow Wilson strategy The radio shock jock tormented the sit - ting Governor on the gas tax hike, the and not running for president before his multi-million dollar renovation of the first term was through in 2012. Now here Statehouse, and myriad other issues, comes Murphy, who has the advantage of prompting an ever-vicious 16% job ap - seeing how Christie cracked up by stick - proval rating-mired Christie to threaten ing around, but the disadvantage of a to endorse Spadea for Governor. In a bruising Democratic Primary contest public fed up with having a governor who for Atlantic City Mayor, Small charged his wanted to be president. There is, of at-large council rival with being too close course, an easy rational to justify a prez to Sweeney-Norcross-Christie. An out - run: look at what having a governor raged Gilliam cried bullshit, then threat - around in 2017 did for the state. ened a state takeover of the election results.

47 /LNHOLJKWQLQJ SRZHULVIOHHWLQJ EXWJRRGDGYLFHVWDQGV WKHWHVWRIWLPH b,03$&71-VWDQGVUHDG\WRKHOS\RX

0LFKDHO0XUSK\ *X\*UHJJ &XOOHQ0F$XOLIIH -DVRQ2UODQGR -RKQ3,QJOHVLQR $UWKXU56\SHN-U 6KHLOD.HOO\+DPSWRQ :HVW6WDWH6WUHHW 7UHQWRQ1-  

48 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Mike Doherty Versus Donald Trump The Yankees Versus Murphy v. There was a brief uproar, some profanities Guadagno exchanged, and badly mangled feelings, just before Coughlin calmed down both parties and everyone appeared to have let the matter go – just before Christie said, “Now go home and get your shine box.” Sweeney looked at Coughlin and said, “Keep him here. Keep him here.” Somebody cued Donovan doing the Give credit to the 23rd District state Sen - speaking part of Atlantis… ator, a retired Army captain who doesn’t Tanaka and Judge beat up on Murphy back down from anyone, including the and Guadagno while shutting out the man for whom he served as the 2016 New Houston Astros in Game 5 of the ACLS. Jersey State Director. Fed up with the un - InsiderNJ called chairs in both parties wise use of unilateral military force, Do - who admitted to not watching the debate Keeping Diversity Alive in the Great herty called out the President when in favor of baseball. Garden State Trump ordered a Tomahawk Missile strike on Syria. Saying Goodbye, Jersey-style: Stack Versus Sacco In Honor of Frank Vincent

(A sneak-peak at Trenton leadership in the era of Phil Murphy)

Trying to assert himself as the future of Governor: Phil Murphy Hudson County politics, while currying Senate President: Steve Sweeney favor with Murphy, the 33rd District sen - At an unnamed dive bar in North Jersey ator outdid himself with a 20K vote total Christie partied with some pals, among Speaker: Craig Coughlin in the Democratic Primary, more than them Jeff Chiesa, Mike DuHaime and doubling the total registered by North Bill Palatucci, when Steve Sweeney Attorney General: John McKeon Hudson lion Senator Nick Sacco (D-32). walked in and joined Craig Coughlin and George Norcross at the other end. Department of Labor Commissioner: Tom Giblin Abbe Lowell Versus William Walls “Hey, look at Stevie, all dressed up,” Christie said and Sweeney ignored him, Assembly Majority Office ED: Laurie which prompted Christie to pull himself McCabe off the bar. “Hey. Hey. Hey!” Asked to comment, Spokesperson Fergus He turned to his pals. O’'Shaughnessy said, “We’re not all from “Down at the statehouse Steve could give Dublin.” you a shine that would make your shoes During the corruption trial of the year, look like f’ing mirrors,” Christie said. the lead defense attorney for Bob Menen - Sweeney bristled. dez routinely got into it with the judge in charge of ruling on the case. “No more shines, Christie,” the senate president said.

49 50 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Hamilton Democratic Chair Eilleen 2017: Thornton

A Year of Inspiration Times of Trenton reporter Jim Good - man

Jersey City Councilman Bill Gaughan

Senate President John F. Russo

Republican Operative Rick Rosenberg A camera caught up with Gov. Chris Christie outside his home in Mendham Marlene L. Teixeira, wife of Tony Teix - after the election. He didn’t say much, but eira, chief of staff to state Senator Ray Lesniak did offer the reporter this quote about his newfound lifestyle: “I have to wait around Mary Patricia (Pat) Blevens McFadden, like everyone else. Can’t even get decent mother of GOP Gubernatorial candi - food. I’m an average nobody. I get to live date Kim Guadagno the rest of my life like a schnook.” Richard “Dick” Coffee, former Mercer Passages County Democratic Party chairman, New Jersey State Democratic chairman, Phil Murphy loves the Kennedys, but campaign chairman for Brendan Byrne, some in his camp feared the first drafts of and executive director of the New Jersey his Nov. 7th victory speech borrowed too General Assembly heavily from Ted Kennedy’s stirring 1980 Democratic National Convention ora - Westfield Mayor Allen Chin tion. By the time Murphy delivered his New Jersey-centric address, however, he Edison Democratic Committee made those necessary adjustments to Chairman Thomas “Doc” Paterniti Mercer County Democratic Committee strike the perfect balance between dream Chairman Richard McClellan and reality: Union County Democratic Committee (and Hillside Municipal) Chair Char - Caren Franzini, Former CEO of N.J. “May it be said of us that in dark passages lotte DeFilppo Economic Development Authority and bright days, 2017 was the year we found our Jon Corzine narrative again. Jamie Fox, Chief of staff to Senator Bob Tough guy actor Frank Vincent of Jersey For all those whose cares have been our Torricelli and chief of staff to Governor City concern, the work goes on, the cause en - James McGreevey and later Commis - dures, the hope still lives – and Goldman sioner of the Department of Transporta - Veteran Boxing Training (and regular Sachs will never die!” tion for Governor Chris Christie participant in former Senator John Gir - genti’s Brownstone Beefsteak Dinners) Jersey City Historian, and Author Lou Duva Thomas Fleming

State Senator Jim Whelan of Atlantic City

51 RETROSPECTIVE 2017

Ode to Jim Whelan

Driving around the towns down here at sea’s edge Thinking about the lanky way he walked the boardwalk And felt more at home among the sort that salts the ledge Of falloff above the sea, or in the sea itself Like chalk, the skyline cuts casino crags A light drizzle falls on Atlantic City He walked across the sand to where they’d beached the big rescue rowboats, those hauls As foreign to most as a Viking pier, a Queequeg stare Marked ocean distance, over the heads of the come hither City In politics or life, you stood out, strong swimmer.

52 LQFH  WKH /DERUHUV· ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 8QLRQ 1(:-(56(</$%25(563$&

104 Interchange Plaza, 3rd Floor JUSTICEof North America (LIUNA) has representedHONOR the STRENGTHMonroe Twp., NJ 08831 interests of construction craft laborers both www.njlaborers.org Raymond M. Pocino, Chairman inside and outside the workplace. To us, political John Duthie, Administrator engagement means making use of our collective NJStateLaborersPAC voice in the democratic process. We advocate for the NJLaborersPAC rights of our members as well as workers everywhere. Our industry partners are very important to us which is why we work collaboratively with our employers and other industry professionals on issues of mutual concern.S

Each day close to 25,000 safe, skilled, and productive workers head to their place of employment with a LIUNA membership card in their pocket. More than a common card, our members are bound together by the shared principles of justice, honor, and strength.

3DLGIRUE\WKH1-6WDWH/DERUHUV3$&-RKQ'XWKLH7UHDVXUHUWe live those values everyday. ,QWHUFKDQJH3OD]DUG)ORRU0RQURH7ZS1-

53 2017 INSIDERNJ SCRAP BOOK

“Look, frankly, I’m worried about Phil Murphy’s proposal of a sanctu- ary state and how that might impact us. We’re a proud sanctuary city and I don’t want the state stepping on our preferred status. Let those “If Betty Lou asks, just tell her we’re people in the suburbs fight for their splitting up the two legislative district identity. We’ve worked hard here to offices to save taxpayer dollars.” be a sanctuary city, and I’m not willing to just give that away. I’m concerned. And anyway, we voted for Christie last time, isn’t Kim a Republican, too, Brian?”

“If Vinny goes down as speaker and Shavonda goes down as LG, and John goes down as state party chair, I still think I might be able to land the next head “Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, could you coaching job for Big Blue.” please get out of the way so we can get a clear shot of Dog the Bounty Hunter?”

54

CLB Partners, LLC, 130 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 Office: (609) 392-2332 Fax: (609) 228-6025 Email: [email protected]

55 7KH1RUWKHDVW5HJLRQDO&RXQFLORI&DUSHQWHUV 

3KLO0XUSK\ OHIW DQG15&&([HFXWLYH6HFUHWDU\7UHDVXUHU -RKQ%DOODQW\QH ULJKW DWSLFNHWRI3DUNDQG6KRUH GHYHORSPHQWLQ-HUVH\&LW\

7KH1RUWKHDVW5HJLRQDO&RXQFLORI&DUSHQWHUVUHSUHVHQWVQHDUO\KDUGZRUNLQJPHQDQG ZRPHQLQ'HODZDUHDQG1HZ-HUVH\DQGSRUWLRQVRI0DU\ODQG1HZ

([HFXWLYH6HFUHWDU\7UHDVXUHU-RKQ%DOODQW\QH 1HZ-HUVH\5HJLRQDO0DQDJHU3UHVLGHQW:LOOLDP6SURXOH )LHOGFUHVW$YHQXH(GLVRQ1-   ZZZQRUWKHDVWFDUSHQWHUVRUJ

56 2017 INSIDERNJ SCRAP BOOK

“People, I know I’m not the most socially dynamic guy in the world, but let’s face it – Trump is freakin’ nuts.”

“I’d like to take a moment to announce my endorsement of John Currie as the next clerk of Passaic County, and Phil Alagia as chair of the Democratic State Committee.”

“I, Peter Murphy, do solemnly swear…”

“’Stand up, get up. Stand up for your rights.’ Come on, everyone, I want to hear you now – ‘Don’t give up the fight!’” “That’s great, Paulie – I mean, Mr. Chair - man. If you want to keep turning around now, that’s great. You do that while I let this guy take my picture and then we’ll talk.”

57 58 59 2017 INSIDERNJ SCRAP BOOK

“If anyone messes with Junior, he’s got to go through me.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, NJ Transit is in great shape.”

“And now I’d like to introduce Democratic State Party Chairman John Kerry.”

“And now that everyone is settled, I have a very special announcement. I actually am going to be a candidate for governor of New Jersey!”

“No one just saw me put that ‘kick me one’ sign on the back of the governor.”

60 ® New Jersey NewRealtorsWe’ve Jersey shown Realtors is comprised of 48,000 members our true colors who’ve pledged to serve® theirfor 100clients years. with knowledge, experience, and responsibility. It’s this higher standard that separates a Realtor from any other real estate agent.

®

njrealtor.com/truecolors

61 2017 INSIDERNJ SCRAP BOOK

“I can’t talk now, I’m at the Statehouse. I’ll call you later from my other cell.”

“Phil is texting me to ask if he was inspiring just now. Thoughts, Bill?”

“Hello, John, it’s Jon. Look, it ain’t complicated. Just vote no.”

“Say George!”

62 ĐŚĞƌΘ'ƌĞŝŶĞƌŝƐŽŶĞŽĨEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞLJ͛ƐůĂƌŐĞƐƚĨƵůůͲƐĞƌǀŝĐĞůĂǁĮƌŵƐ͕ǁŝƚŚŵŽƌĞƚŚĂŶϭϳϱĂƩŽƌŶĞLJƐŝŶĞŝŐŚƚŽĸĐĞƐ͕ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐƌĐŚĞƌΘ'ƌĞŝŶĞƌŝƐŽŶĞŽĨEĞǁ:ĞƌƐĞLJ͛ƐůĂƌŐĞƐƚĨƵůůͲƐĞƌǀŝĐĞůĂǁĮƌŵƐ͕ǁŝƚŚŵŽƌĞƚŚĂŶϭϳϱĂƩŽƌŶĞLJƐŝŶĞŝŐŚƚŽĸĐĞƐ͕ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐ ŽƌƚƵŶĞϭϬϬĐůŝĞŶƚƐ͕ƐŵĂůůƚŽŵĞĚŝƵŵͲƐŝnjĞĚďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐĂŶĚŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ͘&ŽƌƚƵŶĞϭϬϬĐůŝĞŶƚƐ͕ƐŵĂůůƚŽŵĞĚŝƵŵͲƐŝnjĞĚďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐĂŶĚŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ͘

ŝƚŚ ĂtŝƚŚ ƌĞƉƵƚĂƟŽŶ Ă ƌĞƉƵƚĂƟŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŚŝŐŚĞƐƚͲƋƵĂůŝƚLJ͕ƌĞƐƵůƚƐͲĚƌŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ŚŝŐŚĞƐƚͲƋƵĂůŝƚLJ͕ƌĞƐƵůƚƐͲĚƌŝǀĞŶ ůĞŐĂů ůĞŐĂů ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕ ƌĐŚĞƌ ƌĐŚĞƌ ĂƩŽƌŶĞLJƐ ĂƩŽƌŶĞLJƐ ŚĂǀĞ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ďĞĞŶ ƉƌŽĂĐƟǀĞ ƉƌŽĂĐƟǀĞ ŝŶ ŝŶ ĞĞƟŶŐƚŚĞŵĂŶLJĂŶĚǀĂƌŝĞĚŶĞĞĚƐŽĨŽƵƌĐůŝĞŶƚƐƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚƚŚĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĨŽƌŽǀĞƌϴϱLJĞĂƌƐ͘ŵĞĞƟŶŐƚŚĞŵĂŶLJĂŶĚǀĂƌŝĞĚŶĞĞĚƐŽĨŽƵƌĐůŝĞŶƚƐƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚƚŚĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĨŽƌŽǀĞƌϴϱLJĞĂƌƐ͘

ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂůŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů     DĞĚŝĂΘdĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJDĞĚŝĂΘdĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ &ĂŵŝůLJ>Ăǁ&ĂŵŝůLJ>Ăǁ     EŽŶƉƌŽĮƚEŽŶƉƌŽĮƚ WƌŽĚƵĐƚ>ŝĂďŝůŝƚLJWƌŽĚƵĐƚ>ŝĂďŝůŝƚLJ • ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ Banking •ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ Banking & Finance & Finance     • • •ZĞĂůƐƚĂƚĞΘ>ĂŶĚhƐĞ•ZĞĂůƐƚĂƚĞΘ>ĂŶĚhƐĞ Bankruptcy • ŵƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ Bankruptcy • ŵƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ   • •>ŝƟŐĂƟŽŶ>ŝƟŐĂƟŽŶ       •dĂdž͕dƌƵƐƚƐΘƐƚĂƚĞƐ•dĂdž͕dƌƵƐƚƐΘƐƚĂƚĞƐ • Business • Business Counseling Counseling • Health • Health Care Care • • • • Intellectual Property • ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶĂďŽƵƚŽƵƌĮƌŵ͕ǀŝƐŝƚ • ǁǁǁ͘ĂƌĐŚĞƌůĂǁ͘ĐŽŵ• Intellectual Property͘ • • &ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶĂďŽƵƚŽƵƌĮƌŵ͕ǀŝƐŝƚ• • • ǁǁǁ͘ĂƌĐŚĞƌůĂǁ͘ĐŽŵ͘ • •

63 SCHOOL UP WITH THE DEAN OF THE TRENTON STATE HOUSE PRESS CORPS

With decades of stories, no one knows Trenton better than NJTV’s Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron. Join him for discussion with newsmakers and breakers and get a lesson in NJ politics.

New season begins Sept. 9

Saturdays 6pm Saturdays 6:30pm Sundays 10am Sundays 10:30am

Find your local NJTV channel: njtvonline.org #OnTheRecordNJTV #ReportersRoundtableNJTV

Major funding for On the Record with Michael Aron is provided by New Jersey Education Association and Fuel Merchants of New Jersey, with promotional support by Observer Media Group.

Major funding for Reporter Roundtable with Michael Aron is provided by RWJ Barnabas Health and New Jersey Realtors, with promotional support provided by New Jersey Business Magazine.

64