Another day, another hodgepodge of political vignettes from the Garden State. I call it Political Potpourri because it makes the point with some alliterative flare. But if you’ve got a better name for these little medleys we do from time to time, please share it.

In the meantime let’s get some!

Chairman’s race

To the astonishment of many, the contest to lead NJ’s Democratic Party between John Currie and LeRoy Jones was preempted in favor of a negotiated agreement. Currie will lead the party for the next 18 months, a period that, exceedingly consequentially, includes the redistricting progress. Jones becomes heir apparent.

It’s a plot twist which clearly favors Governor Phil Murphy, a Currie booster, and left some Norcross-aligned Democrats like Steve Sweeney flat-footed. Apparently Sweeney and Norcross weren’t even at the table when this was settled.

If you ever meet LeRoy Jones in person, he’ll probably strike you as too tough and too clever to be a pawn in another man’s battles. I applaud Jones for realizing that a white man (Norcross) from South Jersey selfishly orchestrating a cage match between two black elder statesmen was never ever a good look.

Judy Kelly is interim co-director of NJ 11th For Change, a progressive outfit that helped flip NJ’s 11th Congressional district in 2016.

“This is a win,” Ms. Kelly told InsiderNJ. “The political landscape of NJ is changing — the south Jersey machine’s power is diminishing and the grassroots power is increasing. We stood united against a takeover of the state Democratic Party, and will continue to be united in advocating for all New Jerseyans.”

I’m guessing plenty of state committee members sighed relief when John Currie and LeRoy Jones put their principles (and their friendship) ahead of another man’s politics. Rank and file members surely felt pressure to vote one way or the other because that how this sort of thing works.

And now it’s settled for them.

Movin’ on Up

As the dust settles on Congressman Jefferson Van Drew’s political lobotomy, the race to displace him is heating up something fierce, especially on the democratic side.

NJ’s 2nd Congressional district is basically the bottom quarter of the state and includes Atlantic City and all of Cape May County.

Dr Brigid Callahan Harrison, political scientist extraordinaire, currently tops a list of women who are making moves to replace Van Drew. While others lean yes, Dr Callahan Harrison, from Longport in Atlantic County, already made it official.

“Those of us across South Jersey deserve a true leader, who is not afraid to ask questions, engage the community, demand the truth and who will always put the needs of the district and its people before self-interest,” she said. “Jeff Van Drew made a choice. He repeatedly ignored the voices of our community and has instead sold his soul, cutting backroom deals with the White House.”

That’s curious considering she got the nod from the Exact Same Same Norcross Dems who brought us Jeff Van Drew.

This includes  NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney whose praise was effusive.

County chairs buttressing Sweeney’s endorsement of Dr Harrison include Joe Andl of Burlington County, Senator James Beach of Camden, Brendan  Sciarra of Cape May County, Steven Errickson of Cumberland, Senator Fred Madden of Gloucester, and Steven Caltabiano out of Salem.

Conspicuously, Atlantic County Chair Michael Suleiman was not on that that list. Among the county chairs that comprise Van Drew’s district, Suleiman has been the most vocally critical about Van Drew’s defection.

Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett will officially announcer her candidacy on Friday morning. She’s probably the co-favorite. Grassroots-powered, Freeholder Bennett lacks Brigid Harrison’s machine ties but she does possess a winning record on the campaign trail. Famously, Freeholder Bennett displaced a man who’d mocked the Woman’s Marches that popped up when Donald Trump became president. Bennett called his bluff then beat him like a drum on election day.

And now she has his job.

Amy Kennedy of Brigantine rounds out the triumvirate of women currently vying to replace Jefferson Van Drew in Congress. She’s married to Patrick Kennedy, former Congressman, professional marijuana prohibitionist, and scion of the most stored political dynasty in American history.

Ms. Kennedy reacted with chagrin that the Norcross machine has already coalesced around Dr Harrison.

“I’m disappointed they didn’t give me an opportunity,” said Kennedy. “This is how they got Van Drew in the first place. It’s certainly disappointing they have moved in this direction.”

This will all be settled soon. The June primary is less than 6 months away.

Game on!

Jay Lassiter is an iconoclast, tech savvy media artiste, street warrior for LGBT liberty and marijuana reform, and an un-intimidated presence if the halls of Trenton power as he aggressively pursues liberal causes. He’s often at brunch and always on twitter @Jay_Lass.