I’ve been wrong a lot in this life.

Sometimes it’s plain old ignorance and other times it’s because I thought it over and reached the wrong conclusion.

In the spirit of self-reflection, here’s a pair of assumptions I made this year that totally missed the mark.

Norcross’ Glass Jaw

Maybe you’re like me and always assumed that Camden County Machine Democrats did elections better than anyone.

But this year’s results proved just how iffy that conclusion has become.

Sure, they always snatch victory on terrain that’s overwhelmingly democratic and/or heavily gerrymandered. But give ’em a race that’s actually competitive and the Democratic Machine just might wilt before your eyes.

Despite spending a gazillion dollars to defend their turf, the Norcross Democrats of South Jersey went 0-for-9 in Atlantic, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties in legislative races this year.

So what happened?

Outgoing Assemblyman John Burzichelli cited the president, the governor, and the media.

“Our messages as legislators could not cut through Joe Biden’s underwater approval ratings and Murphy’s marginal numbers, in combination with the absence of local journalism,” Burzichelli said.

George Norcross reigns atop the powerful Camden County democratic machine.

“This was a tsunami that took place at the end that nobody saw coming,” Norcross said. “No one.”

No one? 

Isn’t it someone’s job at HQ to anticipate these things? I’m just spitballing here but nobody thought to run a poll?? Or, oh I dunno, check out their opponent’s Twitter feeds for some low-hanging opponent research?

“It was a red wave,” Steve Sweeney said of the trend that snatched his seat.

And while he’s not totally wrong, all that finger pointing ignores what a lousy, shockingly absentee campaign Sweeney (and friends) ran this year. There was, after all, no ground game or even a campaign website for Sweeney’s reelection.

That’s because Sweeney was too preoccupied with 1) redistricting and 2) his left flank. He forgot to cover his own backside. He assumed a firehose of Norcross money would save his bacon like it usually does.

Only it didn’t.

The South Jersey Machine Democrats have long projected an aura of competence and invincibility. But when it comes to winning campaigns with a lot on the line, they actually lack the toughness and improvisational skills to get the job done.

And that’s an important lesson we all learned this year.

A Hot (Piney) Mess

I always assumed that a background in environmentalism would be a prerequisite to become a Pinelands Commissioner.

After all, the commission’s primary job is to “preserve, protect, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Pinelands National Reserve,” which incudes the pinelands forest, home to extensive wetlands and a huge diversity of plant and animal species.

But Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent nominations to the 15-member panel demonstrate that environmental stewardship might not be the top criteria. To round out the panel, Murphy tapped Elvin Montero of the Chemistry Council of NJ, Laura Matos, one of NJ’s top PR pros, and Davon McCurry who works at Ørsted, a Danish-owned multinational energy company.

All three bring a sterling reputation of the table. But none has a track record that would’ve presaged an appointment to the Pinelands Commission.

For the record, I love all those windmills that Ørsted built in south Jersey. But what happens if they seek to crisscross the Pinelands with transmission cables to get offshore power to the rest of the state? What happens when what’s best for Ørsted shareholders isn’t what’s best for the NJ Pinelands?

And that’s why environmentalists howled when Murphy first announced his picks.

The blowback prompted Team Murphy to jettisoned Mr. Montero’s nomination and double down on the other two.

And just like that, the gay guy is sacrificed to save the others. Mr. Montero, a top advisor to Trenton mayor Reed Gusciora was #62 on this year’s OUT 1o0 Power List, a tribute to politically influential LGBTs in NJ politics.

This year I learned that environmental concerns are not necessarily top of mind when the Governor chooses who sit on the Pinelands Commission. That surprised me. What’s not surprising is watching the gay guy take the fall so everyone else saves face.

That’s definitely not new.

That’s a lesson I learned long ago.

Mr. Montero, Mr. McCurry, and Ms. Matos are impressive professionals at the top of their game. NJ would benefit mightily from their contributions in some other capacity and on some other commission.

But for the guardians of our Pinelands, it’s imperative to demand a slate with a more scientifically rigorous background.

I hope the Governor takes a mulligan on this one. In politics and in life, it’s okay to reflect and then go in a different direction. If that’s what ends up happening here, it might be better all the way around.

Jay Lassiter pioneered New Jersey’s modern media landscape as America’s first State House blogger back in 2005. An activist first and foremost, Mr Lassiter still wields award-winning writing and podcasting skills in service to his (not-so-radical) gay agenda.