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CIG INSIDER ELECTION EDITION November 2019

Election Results

With several contested races throughout the state, few were watched more closely than the re- election campaigns of Assembly Minority Leader and Assemblywoman (R-Morris). In the end, both the Minority Leader and the Assemblywoman survived with comfortable margins after many people pegged LD21 as a strong possibility for a Democratic upset. Capital Impact Group and Insider NJ Partner On The CIG Insider Instead, the biggest upset of the night occurred NJ Podcast. down in the 1st Legislative District. Michael Testa, the Cumberland County GOP Chair Check it out here. (and co-chair of President Trump's NJ re- election campaign) defeated incumbent Senator Bob Andrzejczak (D-Atlantic). It would Man of Distinction Award be the first time in 12 years a Republican upset an incumbent Democratic Senator, and Testa's victory also carried long coattails, helping to turn the two Democratic Assembly seats in LD1 Republican.

LD2 was closely contested as well, and while that race is too close to call with VBM ballots still being counted, it appears that the Democratic Assemblymen and will hold on to their seats. If those seats hold, Democrats will maintain a commanding 52-28 majority in the Assembly while the Senate Democrats will lose one seat but control a dominating 25-15 majority. Lame Duck Congratulations to CIG Principal Gerry Gibbs who will be honored at the Emerge Annual Gala on Now that Election Day is behind us, the 10- December 3rd. The Annual Gala is a week lame duck period in the Legislature fundraiser honoring Democrats whose promises to be frenetic. The dynamic between turn-key knowledge and experience Senate President Sweeney and Governor build the bench for highly qualified Murphy will continue to be tested on several Democratic women to get involved in key issues, including revisiting marijuana the political process. legalization, approval of a new business tax incentive plan and reforming public employee Gerry will be receiving the pensions. The Governor also wants to organization's Man of Distinction readdress increasing gun licensing fees, which Award for his longtime support of was not acted on by the Legislature in June. women in politics. Legalizing cannabis remains the Governor's highest priority, however, and the Senate President recently indicated he would revisit Out & About the issue and estimated it has a "50/50" chance for approval in the post-election session.

Movers & Shakers

Acclaimed journalist and NJ- native Diana Falzone recently joined Speaker 's communications team as its new Press Secretary. A former contributor at Buzz Feed and Vanity Fair, Falzone also worked at Fox News and was initially the reporter who found evidence linking President Trump to Stormy Daniels.

Two top-tier federal staffers recently left their Senate posts to join the Governor Murphy Administration. Tim Hillman is now Appointments Counsel to the Governor after a successful stint as Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. Gary Williams is a Senior Legislative Aide to the Governor after serving as a Projects Specialist for U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

Former Senate Majority General Counsel Fruqan Mouzon recently joined McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP as Of Counsel and will lead the firm's Cannabis Law Practice Group. Alison Accetola was promoted to General Counsel following Mouzon's departure, after serving as Associate Counsel for the same office, and was previously an Assistant Public Defender in Middlesex County.

Jennifer Sweet was recently promoted to Communications Strategist for the Senate Majority Office. Before joining the Senate, Sweet was a Research Assistant at Campbell Public Affairs Institute.

Robbie Kenny, a veteran communications specialist, moved from the Assembly Minority Office to the Senate Minority Office. The Assembly Republicans have welcomed Jarred Branch to their communications team.

Salma Chand recently joined the NJ Department of Education as the Executive Legal Affairs Officer/Chief Legal Officer. She previously served as Associate Counsel to Governor Phil Murphy. Also departing the Governor's Counsel Office is Guillermo Artiles, who recently returned to McCarter & English as a Partner.

Widely-respected Trenton veteran and former Political Director for Governor Murphy's gubernatorial campaign, Braxton Plummer recently joined Verizon as their Director of State Government Affairs and NJ's Lead Lobbyist. Plummer served as Senior Advisor to the NJ Department of Community Affairs and was Senior Business Development Officer at the NJ Economic Development Authority.

Daughter of Assemblyman Tom Giblin (D- Essex) and former Chief Counsel at the NJ Board of Public Utilities, Noreen Giblin and is now Cabinet Secretary in the Murphy Administration.

Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D- Burlington), Jerrel Harvey is now the Communications Director for Assemblymen Mazzeo and Armato in District 2 (D-Atlantic).

Derek DeLuca recently left his role as a policy analyst in the Assembly Minority Office and joined the district office of Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (R-Monmouth) as her new Legislative Director.

Michael Vialonga recently joined the 30th Legislative District as an aide to Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Monmouth).

Carrie Healey is now Communications Director for Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-1). She previously worked for John Delaney for President ,Verizon Media, and NBC Universal. Longtime Frelinghuysen staffer Chris Hansel was recently promoted to Legislative Assistant for Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4). Hill veteran Jayne Fitzgerald has been has been hired by Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-9) to serve as his Economic Policy Advisor with responsibilities for tax, trade and other issues before the House Ways & Means Committee.

Gary La Spisa was recently named Vice President at the Insurance Council of New Jersey (ICNJ), after leading government relations efforts at the NJ Apartment Association. He replaces Chris Stark who recently left ICNJ to serve as Regional Vice President of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

Who We Are

Capital Impact Group is a bipartisan, full-service public affairs and business development firm based in Trenton, NJ, 37 steps from the front door of the State House. We offer a wide range of services to help our clients manage the realities of today's political, economic and regulatory environment and the ever-changing dynamics in the State of New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Open Door Media is a fast-growing public affairs and communications firm focused on delivering results for our corporate, government and non-profit clients.

Capital Impact Group 134 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608 609-989-5885 www.cignj.com

Gene Mulroy * Gerry Gibbs Paul Crupi * Sabeen Masih * Briana Piserchia