From the Statehouse to Dover, from Somerset County to Atlantic County, here are Insider NJ’s key must-read pieces from the past week:

Fight of the Week: Richter V. Hurley – Who’s Right on the Van Drew Question?

WBG Talk Radio Show Host Harry Hurley this week criticized CD-2 Republican candidate David Richter for going on CNN to bash U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2), who last year switched parties from Democrat to Republican, upending the GOP Primary field in his home district.

Reveille for Sweeney: Three Bills Reveal New Levels of Complexity

Senate President Steve Sweeney’s (D-3) unique powers of juggling the often cross purposes of labor, in addition to the state’s financial troubles, the politics of a bicameral legislature, a party divide on the heels of a bad year for South Jersey Democrats, and his own lingering (in this case probably inevitable) bitternesses, will be tested in the coming weeks and likely months as he specifically handles three complex and stalled labor bills.

Murphy Swears in Marano in Democratic Party-Dominant Somerset

The political trick is to arrive as late as possible to avoid looking like one has been kept waiting, an entrance made all the more dramatic given the surroundings and the fact that on this occasion, the reorganization of county government, the rotunda of the historic Somerset County Courthouse was crammed with political characters.

New Year’s Resolutions for Newly Sworn In Elected Officials

Read all of your campaign promises and try and keep at least one. Host an event for a worthy charity that doesn’t benefit you at all…

What if the Deal had been Made?

The best political deal is sometimes the one that doesn’t happen.

Nightmare Memories of a Frat House Statehouse

In 1991, my first job, I was working in the NJ General Assembly. I was excited, nervous working at the statehouse, my first “real job” just weeks after I just graduated college. I vividly remember walking in the Caucus room and an Assemblyman loudly proclaiming, “look at the set of tits on this new girl.” I was mortified, horrified.

Weinberg Forming Committee to Address ‘Toxic Climate for Women in NJ Politics’

“With all that we have tried to do, we clearly have made far too little progress in changing the culture of Trenton,” she said. “It was particularly heartbreaking to read how a 30-year-old woman who was raped followed the  and concluded that she was right not to speak up because of the public price Katie paid for her courage.”

Gorman Swipes a Republican Vote in Galloway

The surprise reorganization maneuver of the evening may go to Galloway Township. Democrats took control despite being in the minority.

Blackman at Center of Dover Ceremonial Shindig

By the time Phil Murphy and his entourage arrived at the town American Legion hall, the party was in full swing.

Sharp-Elbowed Dodd Heads Bitterly for the Exits in Dover

Outgoing mayor James P. Dodd is leaving with a bang. The soon-to-be former mayor posted a lengthy missive on the town’s website that among other things, suggests that the political group poised to take control of Dover in a few days “could care less about the people of Dover.”

Murphy Swears Patrick Giblin Into Office in Cranford

A priest. A governor. A labor leader and legendary district politician. And two guys running against each other for Congress.

Tuno Assumes Oath in Lumberton (or a New Dawn, Part II)

Senator Dawn Addiego (D-8) swore in the new mayor of Lumberton under the eye of Sean Earlen, chair of the Burlington County Republican Party, whose party last year failed to hold onto a majority locally.

O’Donnell Done as Borough Attorney in Mount Arlington

O’Donnell is no longer the borough attorney in this small Morris County town. He was replaced for 2020 at tonight’s reorganization meeting by Matt Jessup of the well-known firm of McManimon, Scotland and Baumann.

Son of Joe Vas Wants to Take on Diaz in Perth Amboy

Perth Amboy’s Joe Vas intimidated other men. Broad-shouldered and big and intellectually imposing, he would tower over them. City Hall took on a quasi-religious significance when people began referring to the sprawling, unfinished edifice as the Vas Mahal.

Hoping to be the Countywide Darlings of the Morris GOP…

At least four Republicans want to replace Heather Darling as a Morris County freeholder. Darling is now the county’s new surrogate.

‘Pretty Shocking Article’: Murphy Props Women’s Healthcare Funding Bill

First Lady Tammy Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and women lawmakers took center stage this afternoon at an event also attended by Governor Phil Murphy, who signed into law the Women’s Health Care Funding Bill.

Weinberg Critical of Murphy’s ‘Tepid’ Support for Her Committee

“I was somewhat disappointed that the Governor once again attached a big ‘if’ to his support for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to seek solutions to the toxic climate of misogyny, sexual abuse and harassment that continues to pervade New Jersey politics and government,” Weinberg said.

Sweeney Riptides ‘Lip Servicing’ Murphy After Bill Signing

A new law came into being under the shadow of a federal guillotine, state Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Troy Singleton fretted this afternoon, just after Governor Phil Murphy formally allocated $9.5 million for family planning services.

Murphy Commits to Continuing to ‘Pound Away’ on Millionaire’s Tax

Twice denied in his first two budgets, Governor Phil Murphy this afternoon told reporters that he remains committed to a millionaire’s tax. With Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver standing behind him, the Governor cited the tax as beneficial to prepare for a “rainy day.”

Greaves Appointed ATU International Vice Prez

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) New Jersey State Council Chair Raymond Greaves has been appointed by International President John A. Costa with approval by the ATU General Executive Board as an International Vice President.

Republican Porto Gets in the CD3 Contest

Former Hainesport Mayor and Republican Municipal Chairman Tony Porto today announced his intention to run to represent New Jersey’s Third District in Congress.

The Year of the Gun in Jersey City

Jersey City started off the year when street gangs shot up the food court at Newport Mall, a shocking development since unlike other gang activity, this violence came to the heart of the community and put at risk a population not normally involved in these kinds of crimes.

Watch NJTV’s Michael Aron Exclusive Interview With CD2 Rep. Van Drew

Watch NJTV News Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron’s exclusive interview with Congressman Jeff Van Drew, his first with a home state media outlet since switching from Democrat to GOP here.

Sherrill on Military Strike: ‘What’s the Plan?’

The congresswoman and Navy veteran from the 11th District talked about the killing of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani after attending Friday night’s reorganization meeting of the Morris County freeholders.

Perry Poised to Become Middletown Mayor

When Middletown Township reorganizes on Sunday, January 5th, the governing body is expected to elect Tony Perry to serve as Mayor and Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor for their second consecutive year.

LD25 Assemblyman-Elect Bergen Hires Andes As Chief of Staff

LD25 Assemblyman-Elect Brian Bergen announced that Mayor Tom Andes of Denville Township has accepted the position as his Chief of Staff.

Mayor Fulop and City Council Ask Voters for Opportunity to Fix Jersey City Public Schools with Change to Appointed Board

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the City Council of Jersey City will vote on a resolution on the next council agenda that would give voters the right to decide if they want the members of the Jersey City Board of Education to continue to be elected, or if they should be appointed by the Mayor and City Council.

The Trial of the Week

Eighty-five years ago this month, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, accused of kidnapping and murdering the infant son of famed aviator and international celebrity Charles Lindbergh, stood trial at the Hunterdon County Courthouse in Flemington in what the news media described as “The Trial of the Century.”

2020 in Focus: May We See Old Patterns in New Ways

Sergeant Michael Goble, 33, of Westwood, died from wounds he suffered in Afghanistan only two days before Christmas Day, just weeks from when he was scheduled to return home. He leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter.

End of the Year Review: Latino Grassroots Take Hold

Latino political leadership in New Jersey feels the same way; always evolving to the times yet forever neglected by the political world around us where pundits choose to repeat one familiar story of power that describes influence in one simple way— in the quid-pro-quo of transactional politics.