From the Statehouse to Morris County, from Atlantic City to Montclair, here are the Insider NJ key must-read pieces of the past week.

Congratulations to InsiderNJ Columnists Jay Lassiter and Fred Snowflack!

InsiderNJ is proud to announce the names of our two winners in the New Jersey Press Association’s 2019 Better Newspaper Contest.

Bloomberg-Obama Ads Leave Biden Out Of The Frame

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is the candidate that seems to have benefited most by Senator Cory Booker’s campaign being derailed by the Democratic National Committee’s culling process which is evidently very much a work in progress.

Trump’s NJ Co-Chair: Prez Needs to Return to Help Battleground GOP Candidates

Forget about a relatively small venue “down the Shore.” Penancchio is talking about MetLife Stadium.

Ali Wants a Crack at the Morris County GOP Chairmanship

Ali’s letter to county Republicans highlighted such internal achievements as an expanded, new headquarters in Parsippany to external accomplishments like holding Assembly seats in last fall’s election.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small: The InsiderNJ Interview

Ahead of a scheduled March 31st referendum when voters will assess whether to change city government, Mayor Marty Small said he plans to continue to work to defeat the measure, which would supplant the mayor-council system now in place with five council members and a mayor, who would select a municipal manager to act as the city’s executive.

We Must Support Women Before, During and After Coming Forward in NJ

In the last few weeks, I have been in contact with sexual assault advocacy groups and leaders of my great esteem in NJ and other states. Throughout this, I have a few insights I would like to share.

Ocean County GOP Screening Committee Recommends Gibbs

The main contest in question on the day was CD3, where candidates John Novak, Anthony Porto, David Richter and Gibbs competed for the the screening committee’s support.

CD4 Challenger Schmid Backs Bloomberg for President

Stephanie Schmid, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 4th District, is endorsing Mayor Michael Bloomberg for President. Stephanie is the first Congressional challenger in the country who is endorsing Mayor Bloomberg.

CWA Rep. Points Finger at Sweeney at Weinberg ‘Toxic Culture’ Committee Forum

When Loretta Weinberg put together a panel to explore sexual harassment in New Jersey politics, it seemed to be about precisely that – the harassment and abuse impacting women in what is traditionally a male environment.

Murphy Teases His Upcoming Budget Address, with Ciattarelli in the Crowd

Phil Murphy has taken some criticism for not talking enough about property taxes, one of the most pressing issues in the state.

Amid Toxic Headlines, an Opportunity for Murphy

As Murphy enters his third year and spies his re-election prospects on the horizon, there must be concern and angst within his inner circle over whether it faces a Bridgegate moment — the kind of issue which defines his Administration and plants an indelible stain on it.

Heroes and Villains in Hudson County Hospitals

The state of New Jersey has finally agreed to send people to monitor the hospital situation in Hudson County.

Rutgers Newark College Dem President Endorses Larry Hamm Over Booker

Rutgers-Newark College Democrats President Assatta Mann endorsed ‘People For Progress’ founder and Senate primary candidate Lawrence Hamm over incumbent Senator Booker.

Paterson Mayor Sayegh backs Bloomberg for President

Sayegh cited Bloomberg’s record of tackling the tough issues head on like gun violence prevention, support for an urban agenda, and the Greenwood initiative for economic mobility and home ownership as reasons for his support.

Rice Says He’s Poised to Go to South Carolina for Biden

U.S. Marine Ronald L. Rice is ready to go to South Carolina ahead of the Feb. 29th Democratic Primary to stump for former Vice President Joe Biden. If the campaign needs him to go, he’s there, said the veteran state senator from Newark, a native of Richmond, Virginia.

Pascrell Rails Against Trump for ‘Fredo’ Slur Against Chris Cuomo

“It isn’t enough that Trump degrades his office every day and acts like a lawless authoritarian,” said the congressman. “On top of that he insists on slurring Italian-Americans with a pernicious stereotype. I condemn his anti-Italian bigotry. If Trump is invoking betrayal, he must be thinking of how he has betrayed his own oath.”

Pennacchio does not See ‘Fredo’ as a Problem

Co-Chair of President Donald J. Trump’s New Jersey Campaign, state Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) swatted back at fellow Italian-American U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9).

CD2 Flashpoint: Kennedy and Harrison Campaigns Clash

In an intensification of rhetoric ahead of a critical March 8th Atlantic County convention, the Amy Kennedy Campaign this afternoon criticized the clean election policy put forth today by rival CD2 candidate Brigid Harrison.

Thomas Appears in Court in Corruption Case

Sudhan Thomas recalls a bit wistfully how he and Matt O’Donnell once had “a strong attorney-client relationship.” That was back in 2016 when Thomas was elected to the Jersey City Board of Education.

AC Democrats Challenge Ballot Question that Would Change City Government

The Atlantic City Democratic Committee today filed a challenge to the March 31st ballot question, which would change the form of government from mayor-council to manager-council.

Group of Sussex Dems Expresses No-Confidence in Chair Rotondi

A petition drive by some of her fellow Democrats to remove Sussex County Democratic Committee Chair Kate Rotondi from office has sparked an internal fight in the north country.

Two to Pursue the Montclair Mayoralty in May

Montclair Councilor Sean Spiller and Montclair Councilwoman Renee Baskerville will vie for the mayoralty of the Essex County town this year.

Spiller Formally Launches his Bid for Montclair Mayor

“Montclair is more than a place. It’s an ideal. Our beautiful community is a beacon of progress, justice and equality.”

Sanders Backer Hamm ‘Livid’ over Bloomberg Prez Candidacy

“I think this confirms that Bernie Sanders at this stage is the frontrunner,” Hamm told InsiderNJ. “He got the most votes in Iowa on the first count; and he won New Hampshire.

Locked in with Sanders, Brendel Reflects on Biden

Barry Brendel still remembers the best political speech he ever heard. Joe Biden delivered it in Atlantic City in 1984 on the invitation of the New Jersey Democratic Party.

Hundreds in Attendance at Legislative Black Caucus Gala

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus hosted a Gala tonight with over 500 individuals from across the state in attendance.

Adubato Challenging Students to Put the Phones Away – and Speak Face to Face

Steve Adubato, PhD, wants to help the next generation of leaders succeed and hone the skills needed for effective communication and understanding—traits that seem to be waning in 21st Century public discourse.

Assemblywoman Pinkin Announces Bid for Middlesex County Clerk

Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin today announced that she will seek the Democratic nomination for Middlesex County Clerk.

Weinberg’s Panel is Already Working

On Tuesday, a much-awaited committee investigating misogyny and rape culture in NJ politics gaveled in for the first time up in Ft. Lee, Bergen County.

Young People, Vote for Amy Kennedy: The Candidate We Deserve

We are only one month into 2020, and the South Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic Primary race is already heating up.

2020 is NOT 1972, and Bernie Sanders is NOT George McGovern

Last night, Vermont US Senator Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary. While I will not outright predict that he will win the Democratic presidential nomination, he definitely is now the frontrunner, with the most plausible path to the nomination of all the candidates.