Kathy Savas, the Democratic Municipal chair for Cresskill told InsiderNJ this afternoon that she polled her committee members and that the organization unanimously backs Gordon Johnson for the LD37 senate seat.

From the NJ State Comptroller report: Roselle lacked adequate internal controls to ensure its compliance with statutory requirements and internal policies and procedures related to the administration of employee payroll, health insurance benefits, personnel matters, and procurement of consulting services. These internal control deficiencies resulted in the improper use of Borough assets and improper expenditures totaling more than $1.4 million.

The US House impeachment managers are marching the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, according to this piece in The Guardian.

The Toms River Republican Club endorsed Joe Vicari for governor last night.

They hold the largest number of votes at the convention and the motion passed unanimously.

Former Mayor Lorenzo Langford said Thursday he might challenge Mayor Marty Small Sr. in this year’s Democratic primary, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

Read more here.

The undersigned, the officers of the District 37 Democratic Committee, hereby endorse Assemblyman Gordon Johnson for State Senate.

Both Assemblypersons Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle have served District 37 and its constituent communities with distinction and honor. We would be lucky to have either of the two capable and dedicated public servants represent us in the State Senate.

However only one can take the seat and while it is a difficult decision to have to choose -a choice should and must be made in order to avoid the potential of a painful and disruptive primary.

Again, both candidates are excellent public servants, and we could fill many pages praising them and their many accomplishments. But Gordon Johnson not only holds a higher position within the Assembly, but he also has four more years of experience. We feel that Assemblyman Gordon Johnson is better situated to succeed Senator Weinberg.

John Bang, Chair
Zonie LeSane, Vice-Chair
John M.Hogan, Treasurer
Kenneth Martin, Secretary

UPDATE: I’ve extended the public health emergency in New Jersey for another 30 days.

Unless extended, these emergencies expire after 30 days. Given where we are currently, we must remain in a proper footing to continue responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 19, 2021

Friendly jabs apparently have a way of piling up, or so Commissioner Joe Vicari’s decision to screen for the office of governor with the Ocean County GOP Committee on Feb. 6th would seem to indicate.

Vicari and Republican nominee favorite Jack Ciattarelli pushed and shoved in the same room four years ago, and now Vicari appears unwilling to let it go.

So the longtime officeholder’s screening for the office of governor (unless there is a more insidious establishment effort to block Ciattarelli’s lane, in order to recruit a more financially muscular replacement for Doug Steinhardt).

From the archives:

Moments after meeting veteran Freeholder Joe Vicari at tonight’s screening committee hosted by the Ocean County GOP, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16) took a good-natured swing at him from the podium.

Vicari has served as a freeholder for 36 years, the second longest serving countywide official in the state.

“I look forward to running with Joe Vicari,” Ciatarelli said with a grin. “I love that plank – term limits. Joe’s going to champion term limits.”

Some nervous and suppressed laughter gave way to several audible guffaws.

Ciattarelli knows the score here in a county where his rival, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, has a big leg up.
The powerful chairman, Ocean County GOP Icon George Gilmore, backs her.