Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 11/12/2024
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
TOP STORY: Partially Gloomy N.J. Dems Ready to Find Themselves in 2025
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Out 100: Power List by Jay Lassiter.
A look at the election number show Democrats lost strength in the state, but might not translate into ‘swing state’ status yet.
Governor Murphy and President-elect Trump have a surprisingly strong personal relationship, according to NJ Monitor.
Governor Murphy and NJGOP Chairman Hugin addressed the election, according to NJ Spotlight.
Voters aren’t familiar with 2025 gubernatorial candidates.
The state relaunched its ats website, according to NJ Spotlight.
Cumberland County races remain close, according to NJ Globe.
Senator-elect Kim says his win has changed NJ politics ‘forever’, according to NJ Monitor.
Rep. Van Drew says he’s unsurprised by the election results, calling the state ‘purple’, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Murphy addressed the loss of Democratic strength on election day
Partially gloomy over the presidential election, NJ Democrats are ready to find themselves ahead of 2025.
Hispanic community Democratic dissatisfaction has grown, evidenced in Passaic County.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Senator Bramnick faces a more difficult path following President-elect Trump’s victory.
Allies of GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli see two statewide advantages in a Trump-altered landscape.
Hispanic leaders pledged support to Rep. Gottheimer for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Watson Coleman endorsed Mayor Baraka for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
Morris County Democratic Chair Duarte is looking ahead to 2025, saying ‘I’ll be damned’ if a Republican wins the governorship.
Former NJDSC Chair Senator Cryan says the election should serve as a self-reflection point for Democrats.
As the GOP romped in Monmouth County, Spadea picked up a few points.
A war room, street strewn view of the 2024 battleground of PA.
NJDSC Chairman Jones released a statement on the election.
NJEA President Spiller made his case for governor, according to NJ Spotlight.
In CD7, Trump won the swing district, and Rep. Kean did even better, according to NJ Globe.
In LD21, Macurdy will seek the Assembly Democratic nomination, according to NJ Globe.
In LD24, Assemblymembers Fantasia and Inganamort launched their re-election bids.
In LD39, Assemblymen Auth and Azzariti launched their re-election bids.
ICYMI: Insider NJ’s Who’s Up and Who’s Down post-election; Altman conceded to Kean
Assemblyman Barlas discusses affordability with Steve Adubato (video).
Governor Murphy announced a MOU between the NJEDA and Investment Association.
The state launched an initiative to end veteran homelessness over two years.
ICYMI: Guv converged at housing conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked his party
There are several close municipal races to watch, according to NJ Globe.
In Howell, the GOP mayoral candidate won the election, despite disunity within the local GOP.
In Marlboro, voters elected a split BOE ticket.
In Chatham, the BOE heard a resounding ‘no’ from the public on ending overnight field trips, according to NJ Hills.
In Dunellen, the town received a ‘Great Downtown’ designation, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hawthorne, water bills could rise 18% in the next two years, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hoboken, the late Councilwoman Giattino’s funeral will be held this week, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, the council will vote on the first step to bring rec centers to each ward, according to Hudson County View.
In Madison, an agreement was reached to purchase and preserve Drew Forest, according to NJ Hills.
In Montville, the lawn sign debate continues, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean City, Bible study was proposed for students, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the sewer utility faces a $2M deficit, according to Paterson Press.
In Readington, parking issues in parks are being considered, according to NJ Hills.
In Teaneck, the BOE still isn’t complying with the meeting rule, according to the Bergen Record.
In Stanhope, a weed referendum passed, according to NJ.com.
In Westwood, a new program watches over seniors, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: In Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away; in Howell, little unity w/in GOP; in Marlboro, tensions rising in the BOE race; in Somerville, JFK is on the ballot; in Randolph, council control at stake with huge significance
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Dari Kotzker writes ‘Blue Wife, Red Husband: LMT Household at the Heart of the Battleground‘
In a guest column on Insider NJ, Liz DeBeer writes ‘What Motivates Progressives to Write Postcards‘
Insider NJ columnist Andrew Leven ‘An Aspect of the Harris/Trump Economic Plans That Isn’t Being Discussed, But Should Be‘
Insider NJ columnist Bob Hennelly writes ‘More Helene Fallout: When Local News is All that Matters‘
AROUND THE WEB:
Is congestion pricing dead? One restart option has Jersey roots.
Larry Higgs, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Has congestion pricing – the controversial program that would charge a $15 fee to enter parts of Manhattan and is currently on indefinite hold – reached its final dead end?
NJ Advance Media teams with Princeton University to host panel on extremism in N.J.
Riley Yates, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Project Extreme, a yearlong investigation by NJ Advance Media into political extremism in New Jersey, will be featured in a panel discussion Tuesday at Princeton University.
Matt Rooney, Save Jersey
- Scott Pressler, the famously tall and long-haired Republican activist credited with helping Pennsylvania Republicans dramatically decrease their voter registration gap in 2024, is now pledging to ply his talents for the Garden State in 2025.
N.J. town sends privatization down the drain | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- A ballot question that affected only Gloucester Township in Camden County provided some of the most interesting results Tuesday. Some residents mounted an active campaign against the township-government-endorsed pending sale of the township’s sewage collection system to New Jersey American Water Co., for a whopping $143 million. Yard signs opposing the sale popped up across the sprawling township of about 67,000.
How Trump could go after the enemies within | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Americans just elected a president who vows to use the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies: Time to take stock of this strange new world that we suddenly find ourselves in. How, exactly, could he go after his enemies? He could start by appointing a flunkey as Attorney General, someone like Mike Davis, a Republican lawyer whose name has repeatedly come up as a possible nominee, and has made his vengeful intentions clear.
Why Democrats should cheer up | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- The election is over, and those of us who were knocked down hard by the results need to find ways to get back on our feet, to keep up morale for the next round in this fight. Begin with this: Donald Trump’s vote total in this election was about the same as it was when he lost in 2020. There was no surge in support for him. He won because millions of Democrats didn’t bother to vote this time.
UPDATE: Strong winds to complicate Jennings Creek wildfire that has burned 5,000 acres
Manahil Ahmad, NorthJersey.com
- The Jennings Creek wildfire raging along the New Jersey-New York border stretched to 3,000 acres as of Monday morning, state officials said, but another blaze in Pompton Lakes was finally contained after firefighters battled throughout the weekend.
Photos: A day with Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh
Chris Pedota, The Record/NorthJersey.com
- Mayor Andre Sayegh gives a video interview to his communications team at the new Jeannette Thompson Community Park as the Mayor spends an afternoon checking on the progress of several parks that are under construction and being revitalized in his city.
Borough attorney up for judgeship says political parties can’t fill municipal vacancies
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Arguably the most doltish municipal government lawyer in New Jersey today is Frederick C. Raffetto, who happens to be Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominee to serve as a state Tax Court judge. As the Jamesburg borough attorney, Raffetto issued a seemingly heavy-handed legal opinion that the local Republican county committee can’t submit three names to replace a GOP mayor who resigned because the mayor ran off-the-line in the 2023 Republican primary.
Big Bird 2024? Some of NJ’s crazier write-in votes for president
Kylie Moore, NJ1015
- Election season is FINALLY over, Donald Trump is going to be the 47th President of the United States. According to NorthJerey.com, of the over four million New Jersey voters, roughly 98% voted for either of the two major party candidates. Put your opinions on that (positive or negative) aside for a moment, let’s have some fun with the polling numbers.
New Hudson assignment judge may have obfuscated truth while under oath
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- David Katz, the new Hudson County Assignment Judge, might have intentionally misled a Supreme Court ethics hearing officer about his incessant pursuit of an assignment judge post. During sworn testimony in an attorney ethics complaint in June of 2024 obtained by the New Jersey Globe, Katz was asked about his quest to become an assignment judge. He was asked, “Judge, did you ever publicly campaign for a position as an assignment judge?”
Trust the election system that Trump doubted, Rutgers panel says
Umehani Rehmanji
- Hours after Donald Trump complained of unsubstantiated “massive cheating” by Philadelphia voters scheming to block him from the White House, Americans had reason to trust the election system, political and legal experts said Wednesday.
Veterans: 17 New Jersey governors. Maybe 18 after 2025 governor’s race?
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Seventeen of New Jersey’s 56 governors have served in the U.S. military. The last was Jon Corzine, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1969 to 1975. With at least three veterans considering runs for governor in 2025— Steve Fulop, Mikie Sherrill, and Bill Spadea —that number could go up. The first governor of New Jersey, William Livingston, was a Brigadier General of the New Jersey State Militia during the Revolutionary War. He served as governor from 1776 to 1790.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The media release details how Gov. Phil Murphy participated in a roundtable discussion Friday with member companies of the Association of British HealthTech Industries during his economic mission trip to the United Kingdom – and how that group aims to bring a delegation to New Jersey next April.
Cody Miller: New Jersey’s Path Forward
Assemblyman Cody Miller
- When I first began writing this piece, I hoped to be celebrating a fresh chapter in our nation and politics—one inspired by optimism for the results of the 2024 election. While the outcome I envisioned didn’t happen, much of what I intended to say remains critically relevant: the current state of our politics and the path New Jersey must take going forward. The results of the 2024 election should serve as a wake-up call for all of us and as a reminder of the work needed in the state I am proud to call home.
Ranking N.J.’s school superintendents per-student costs. See the full list.
Katie Kausch, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Superintendents in New Jersey’s biggest districts tend to make bigger salaries than superintendents in small districts — but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Wayne Parry, Associated Press
- Opponents of offshore wind energy projects expect President-elect Donald Trump to kill an industry he has vowed to end on the first day he returns to the White House. But it might not be that easy.
Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.
He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK
That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”
lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint
keeping up with the news
OK
What I — and most of the women I know who are passionate about cosmetics —like about make up isn’t that the right gloss can make your lips poutier or that false lashes can make your eyes more doe-like. Rather, it’s how women can communicate messages and express ourselves through makeup. Certainly it’s not our single factor of communication, but it’s one of many forms of expression that allow us to showcase our individual styles.
keeping up with the news
Longmont Tree Service
Roofing In Brighton
Roofing Colorado Springs
So….about those 56 machines in Bergen… <<>>
Murphy running for President is LAUGHABLE. Nased on what??
What a fantastic post! This blog is so full of useful information I can’t wait to dig deep and start utilizing the resources you have given me. I have a similar article that will surely help.
Increasing Use of Cosmetic Products & Their Side Effects
great article, very informative thanks for sharing
very informative thank you so much
Murphy doesn’t want to be the president, he wants to be a state trooper.
Nice article! thanks for sharing the post!
Neurosurgery is a complex and demanding medical specialty that requires an exceptional level of skill and experience. Dr. Shiau is undoubtedly one of the best neurosurgeons in New Jersey, and patients in Jersey City, Maplewood, Holmdel, Paramus, and Bergen County can rest assured that they are receiving the best possible care under his expertise. Neurosurgeon nj
Meet Dr. John Shiau, the leading neurosurgeon in NJ, at Complete Medical Wellness. Discover his expertise and how he can help you with your neurological conditions. Check out this article for more information. neurosurgeon NJ
lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
tool.
Your blog is a haven of positivity in a sometimes chaotic online world.
Your exquisitely curated blog epitomizes erudition, captivating readers with its intellectually stimulating content and profound philosophical insights.
Gun owners don’t have to talk about guns because they know that they have to come out and vote to protect their constitutional right to bear arms. The Supreme court decision has affirmed that right and somehow our “leaders” haven’t learned how to read.
NJ is one of the most corrupt and racist places to live. There’s “0” accountability for the criminal acts, corruption, and unfair treatment of the people of this state. It starts with our governor who cares less for truth and honesty. Continue to ruin the lives of the citizens of this state.
How about those unintended consequences.
New Jersey mandating that all cars being sold by 2035 be electric is telling us what we can or cannot buy with our own money. There will always be gasoline powered vehicles because of the power produced by internal combustion compared to the power produced by batteries; which is to say the more power the bigger the battery to the point of rediculousness. My thought is that if the state wants fewer gas powered vehicles on the road it should create a mass transit electric powered system that would emphasize convenience for commuters and everyday shoppers. Of course that would mean vehicles weighing tons more because of the size of batteries and that creates a whole other question of where to dispose of them (also for elelectric car batteries), since they are composed of highly toxic materials that can’t be burnt or buried. These are unintended consequences no- one is willing to grapple with until its too late. I think by 2035 th he electric car fantasy will go the same way the offshore wind farm has gone.
Stephen Brickman
206 Stonehenge Dr
Phillipsburg,NJ 08865
Stephen.Brickman@gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone
The military serving in the Middle East represents every state in the Union. Those are our sons and daughters, Moms and Dads and yet we are very little to protect them, or REALLY retaliate when they’re attacked. Governor Murphy is the Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, and past chair of the National Governors Association and yet you never hear him mention about any requests either organization makes to Biden to be more aggressive about protecting our kids in harms way. It’s as though it doesn’t seem to matter to them. No wonder we look so weak to the rest of the world.
Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?
I’m a conservative and I do believe life begins at conception but the problem is that each mother is responsible for that life and it is in the realm of her mental and physical health that she will either bring it to term or abort it. This should not be a political decision and should not be be dictated by thousand of strangers. The Supreme Court turned it over to the states but it still remains personal for the mother and her family.
I don’t think it should be an “agenda item” for any political party. A state medical society may want to impose a time frame within which an abortion can occur but even that may be subject to the mother’s doctor’s discretion.
I say just quit discussing it and leave it up to the mother a father.
Voting should be based on understanding what’s actually happening and knowing who would make life safer and more livable. The only way to do that is to get both sides of the information remembering there are always two sides to a story. Mainstream media in my area includes the Star Ledger and the Easton Express. If you look at the bylines of the opinions you will find writers from the Washington Post and Bloomberg, both notoriously on the left. Even the political cartoons are a dead giveaway. CNN and CNBC are also left leaning. So what are the options for getting opinions and news from the right? Fortunately cable news has Fox, which is near center, and Newsmax, and NewsNation which are full right. Watching these even just occasionally will show a much broader picture and give the reader more information with which to make an informed voting decision. And remember you DONT have to vote party if you feel there’s a wiser choice.
The governor signed off on having Narcan available in all schools grades 9 through 12. But what about the idea
of having Narcan available in ALL SCHOOLS in New Jersey?
How’s his for an idea? Uncover the identities of the un-elected advisors to Pres. Biden, and publish their names. That way there is actually someone to blame when we lose valuable lives from unanswered attacks by terrorist organizations. We know Biden isn’t making these decisions on his own. My guess is that these advisors will quit the team rather than take the heat for poor decisions, revealing a big weakness in this administration. It might lead to improvements to the decision-making process.
Note to Concealed Carry permit holders: make sure you subscribe to one of the insurance companies that specialize in CCP, ie: US LAW SHIELD. If you ever have to fire your weapon , that has to be the first phone call you make. The second is 911, the third is your family. With so many new permit holders there will probably be an increase in discharges until word gets out that it’s actually unsafe for criminals to be in New Jersey and crime will take a nosedive.
Now unless you have a conviction in your background you can get that CCP and really defend yourself and your family. And more women are applying which is great for family defense. The stats that record gun violence will have to be re-organized into guns used for crime and guns used to prevent crime. A lot of get-always here because sometimes just brandishing a firearm is enough to stop a crime. But it should be reported anyway..
The liability limits for taxi cabs are extreme starting July 1. It was a plan in place through the insurance banking committee and it was abruptly changed with an amendment. The guys are barely making a living today and you’ve increased their insurance. What’s fair is fair and this is not it was an incremental increase, which was fair, and was removed by the governor please refer back to the original plan
Iowa gets it right. What better school security is there than trained, armed teachers with concealed carry permits. You wonder what parents and local government officials when they oppose this idea. Apparently they would rather wait for some demented individual, either a student or maybe an ex student pulls out a handgun of his backpack , or a long gun out of a duffel and starts firing do they can call it in and wait for help to show up. This move would save many lives and I would heartily endorse this idea nationwide. Of course I’m just an average gun owner who believes that our kids are our most valuable asset and need real protection.
The problem with the Line is that there is no vetting process. Whoever pays the most and/or is specifically unqualified and therefore relegated to the status of puppet is who the county bosses support and threaten the committee members to support. My opponent said on-air that he will do whatever they tell him. What kind of leadership is that. I have 8-10 organizations endorsing me to his zero. I have served many statewide for almost 4 years while he has never helped anyone but himself. No-brainer who is qualified, and they know it. That’s why they are getting nasty and vile while I continue to take the high road.
With the mainstream media touting the current president and suddenly discovers he’s been lying to us all about how supportive he is of Israel when it is reported he is receiving BIG donations from Soros and Rockefellers , both proven anti-American donors, to become pro Palestinian and Pro Hamas and Anti Israel by holding up ammunition shipments to Israel. And solidly answering the question of why he never goes directly against Iran. Is the MSM party to this also. How can the general public now know who and what to trust. They warn us how terrible a trump administration will be as if they have totally forgotten how good we had it under Trump. All I can say is put on your big boy pants and tell us how it really is.
Studies show that recreational cannabis is responsible a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. These studies show that cannabis impairs driving ability and driving while high is common among regular users. Since cannabis is still an illegal drug, insurance companies are within their rights to deny coverage in for an accident ruled a DUI due to cannabis. However a state that approved its recreational use should be held accountable for any and all the consequences of that DUI. States are more interested in the money they make but they should accept the responsibility for having approved the use of recreational cannabis.
Could you please fix your “bay blood spots “ typo. It sounds like a horror movie. Although “baby blood spots” isn’t much better. Maybe there’s a clearer and less distressing turn of phrase for all of our sensitive readers, lol. Please and thank you.
Reclassifying marihuana from CI to any other category will involve Pharmacy because by law only a Pharmacist with a DEA license can purchase or sell any drug with a CII to CV
Classification. (CI is exempt because it’s heroine or any other drug with no medical purpose). This is a National problem because it is all under the DEA. And since marihuana is a hallucinogen among other things it requires control. The whole weed issue has put the cart before the horse and really requires reining in to have it conform
to the legal requirements. (Sorry Mr. Weedman). And recreational use will get the biggest hit because it will require a prescription
for medicinal use, but that cuts out the recreational aspect. Maybe in the future Pharmacists may be able to prescribe it but not yet. And how many physicians and Nurse Practitioners will want to be involved in the weed industry, I wonder? Lots of questions and few answers so far.
Changing the regulations to allow Optometrists to perform surgery is foolhardy and dangerous. Their training is doing vision tests and prescribing the correct glasses to improve vision. Only an MD in ophthalmology should be the one to do eye surgery.
That’s like asking the fellow filling your gas tank to fix a ball joint suspension.
This is not the answer to a shortage of ophthalmologists
Can’t seem to access the Steinberg column on Sam Alito, Sr. on your website. Suggestions?
Stop complaining about taxes ,our schools , our crime, ,after all folks we keep voting in the same Democrat party politicians each time .
For instance who would think that every Democrat who represents us in congress would vote for men playing in woman sports ,but they did , ask yourself are you the kind of a person who would kill ( sorry to use that word kill but hard not to since the law is that is a human being and if the mother is murdered it’s a double homicide ) a baby up to the moment of birth sorry to tell you that is the law in New Jersey.
So stop complaining your part of the problem.
NOTE TO SENIORS
I was 85 when I got my Carry permit. If you want to protect yourself and your family you are never too old to carry. As log as you can pass the test at the range, which is pretty simple, and you have a handgun you can handle (which is why I purchased a Walther CCP M2 PLUS which is easy to rack) and you have no police record or mental health problems, you can qualify. Of course you need to get a Federal weapons ID card, if you don’t already have one. We are targets because we are older and look easy. Well surprise , surprise. The more folks that are carrying the less crime because the bad guys wont know if you are armed and might not try something. By the way
it doesn’t matter- male or female!!
Great article, thanks for keeping us informed!
Assemblyman Schaer’s Bill to define antisemitism for New Jersey residents and to be able to react to it is great. But what about our kids going off to college, especially the Jewish kids. They should have a means to know what schools have active anti-Jewish protests, and/or pro-Palestinian demonstration allowed on and off campus. They should be able to feel safe wherever they go, and not have their studies interrupted by what I consider this unlawful activity. Are there websites with this kind of information posted?
Concerns about Jan 6 violence
The simple solution to allay the concerns of the Jan.6 violence happening again is to make sure the election is run in an honest and above board manner, which must include voter I.D. via a totally transparent system. Otherwise I’m betting all bets are off.
(The state’s voting system is secure, according to NJ Spotlight.)
This was without doubt one of the most farcical articles perhaps ever written. To give you an idea just how corrupt and lawless the voting system is, in 2021 Governor Murphy deviously ousted the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections with over 30+ years of experience (coerced and strongarmed into early retirement) in order to then deliberately and deviously insert Loretta Weinberg’s Chief of Staff who, had absolutely NO previous election experience whatsoever.
This was all masterfully formulated and then executed just several weeks prior to the Gubernatorial primary. But of course there was nothing nefarious regarding such an abrupt change.
Although Bergen County is not the largest County in New Jersey it is however home to the most registered voters of which the vast majority are also Democrats.
Keep in mind The Superintendent of Elections Office is also in charge of voter “registrations” – polls books, voting machines and of course – investigating any and all reports of voter fraud.
Murphy’s intentions had been to leave the position vacant until “after” the Gubernatorial Election in November but the media exposed his chicanery and he was forced to fill and announce his personal “appointment” immediately and how all of this came to light.
The former Superintendent of Elections was also a Republican and certainly would’ve never voluntarily retired “prematurely” but just prior to a major election. Her integrity was legendary throughout the entire County.
But of course there was nothing to Murphy’s sudden lead change “in the middle of the night” in Bergen County after the polls had already closed.
Murphy was and still remains loathed and despised by all because of his despotic actions and stance on the Covid lockdowns. He knew there was no other way he could ever beat Ciattarelli and never did. But certainly not legally nor ever legitimately. But keep believing “the voting system in NJ” is actually secure.