Asked about those New Jerseyans who feel discomfort over having to wear COVID-19 protective masks, or who struggle to keep their noses tucked, Governor Phil Murphy had a Jason Statham-like line:
“You know what’s uncomfortable? When you die.”
Beginning next Monday, Governor Phil Murphy will return to a COVID-19 briefing schedule of Monday-Wednesday-Friday.
He admitted not being happy about having to go from twice to three times weekly, but the COVID-19 case count continues to rise n New Jersey.
A statement this afternoon from Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh:
“Unfortunately, I have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Therefore, while I am asymptomatic and this morning’s rapid test was negative, out of an abundance of caution, I will work from home through the weekend and abide by public health protocols. I will provide further updates early next week.”
State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco apparently has won reelection in the 25th Legislative District.
Bucco claimed victory tonight in what had been a close race with Democrat Rupande Mehta. Also in line for an apparent win is Bucco’s partner in the Assembly, Republican Aura Dunn.
The Republicans cited recent campaign results that give Bucco a lead of almost 6,000 and Dunn an advantage of almost 3,000 over Democrat Darcy Draeger.
These results are not official. In fact, they come from the campaign itself.
The Morris County Clerk’s Office has not updated election results since about 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
In the last official update, Bucco and Dunn had taken the lead after trailing their Democratic opponents in early vote counting.
The latest unofficial results are also good news for Republican freeholder Tayfun Selen, who is now leading Democrat Cary Amaro by about 3,000 votes.
Amaro, who is trying to become only the second Democratic freeholder in Morris County history, had led the race since election night.
The pattern of these results confirm what some observers had predicted.
Democrats, who are more likely to vote early by mail, would take the lead, but then Republicans would catch up.
Bucco’s statement took satisfaction in the fact he and Dunn seem headed to victory despite President Trump losing the district by about 14 points.
Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) of Woodbridge chipped in some cash to the mayoral ticket of Perth Amboy Councilman Helmin Caba.
According to ELEC, Coughlin made two contributions totaling $800 to challenger Caba, who’s running
against the state’s only elected Latina mayor. He made the first contribution totaling $500 on Sept. 11th, and made the second totaling $300 on the 14th of the same month. He made the campaign contributions in 2018 and 2019, prior to Caba formally switching over to a dedicated mayoral run, but they are recorded by ELEC as having been absorbed into the candidate’s mayoral account.
The ELEC report of the Caba ticket likewise showed considerable contributions from the Greater NJ Carpenters, at least $20K recorded in the closing days of October, a restructured labor outfit that in another iteration maintained strong ties to the Middlesex County Democratic Organization. In 2012, the NJ Regional Council of Carpenters backed the Diaz ticket. After that race, the mayor parted company with the countywide party establishment and the LD19 Legislative team.
In office since 2008, grassroots anti-establishment local candidate Diaz defeated longtime incumbent Mayor Joe Vas to land the executive position in City Hall. After originally trying to make peace with the old order that in the wider domain of Middlesex maintained party ties to Vas, the mayor decided to reside off the reservation for the last seven years. In addition to Caba and two other challengers, Vas’s son took a stab at the seat this year, but as of this week appeared unable to catch Caba, who unofficially finished in second place behind Diaz. Both leading candidates – the mayor and Caba – failed to get to the required 50% plus one to avoid a runoff.
Barring a significant vote tally alteration, Diaz will face Caba in the runoff on Dec. 15th, the date affixed by a governor’s executive order.
Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) issued the following statement on quarantining after being exposed to COVID-19:
“Early Monday morning, my daughter Ana’jah was not feeling well to the point where we made the decision to take her to the hospital. Later that day, we learned she was positive for COVID-19. My family and I were all tested, and today, I was informed that I too have tested positive for COVID-19. I am currently quarantining at home as I have symptoms and need to rest. I have begun the contact tracing process to notify everyone who I have come into contact with.
“My family and I practiced the proper mitigation measures of wearing a mask in public and practicing social distancing, and I encourage everyone to continue these measures as well. We also have taken all the precautions necessary to help prevent any further spread.
“The reality is the number of cases in our state are drastically rising and we have to do all we can to stop the spread. My family and I will continue to quarantine for 14 days per the CDC guidelines. PLEASE remember to continue to take the necessary precautions as we are still in the midst of this pandemic. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for my family and I, and I ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts as we fight this.”
New Jersey reported a one-day increase of 3,877 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest increase since April.
Governor Murphy tweeted that ‘these numbers are devastating’.
The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 260,430 cases and 14,661 fatalities (and 1,800 probable fatalities) as of Tuesday; the viral transmission rate is 1.25.
Check out this list of possible cabinet members for the Biden Administration.
Of course, it’s not just unofficial, it’s strictly speculative, but it’s perhaps not surprising that it includes no one from New Jersey’s political orbit.
Mayor Wilda Diaz, Councilman Helmin Caba and attorney Joseph B. Vas are locked in a close count for two slots in a December 15 runoff election that will determine who leads Perth Amboy for the next four years.
For now, the race remains too close to call, with preliminary results showing incumbent Diaz in first place with 3,713 votes (33.15%), followed by Caba at 3,292 (29.4%) and Vas at 2,810 (25.7%) after the latest vote tallies were released on Sunday.
Governor Phil Murphy again said he plans to stick around and run for reelection, and does not intend to go to the Biden Administration if offered a position in the cabinet.
What if someone offers you your dream job?
“I have my dream job,” Murphy insisted. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The governor said he hasn’t any conversations with the president-elect or his people.
That’s not surprising.
U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) ill-fated presidential contest bottled him up while sharper elbowed players piled onto the Biden bus early.
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Booker likewise look like they’re prepared to hunker in here while Biden’s team takes shape.
