Best verbal evisceration of a challenger

Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider

Regarding Councilman John Pallone:

“He’s fine as a councilman. I’ve seen zero leadership skills out of him. He can’t make a decision to save his life. …That’s fine as a legislator, but it sucks for decision-making.”

Watch that here.

Best Ad Linking an Opponent to Trump-Christie

Long Branch Councilman John Pallone

Referring to Schneider, a piece designed by Mitch Seim reminded voters of the incumbent Mayor’s 2013 endorsement of Governor Chris Christie and his championing of a development project owned by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald J. Trump.

Take a look at that here.

The Nick Sacco Honorary “I Be from North Bergen Son” Best Rap of the Cycle Award 

Newark At-Large Council candidate Donna Jackson

Jackson’s Gil Scot Heron-worthy “Ras” actually arguably supplants Sacco’s perennially hip “I be from North Bergen, Son” as Jersey’s go-to political rap, arguably followed by the Joe Piscopo-Eddie Murphy standard “Honeymooners Rap.”

Watch Jackson’s mix here.

The Best Debate Exchange 

Ward 3 Councilman Bill McKoy versus Ward 6 Councilman Andre Sayegh

Going after the mayoralty vacated by the political demise of Jose “Joey” Torres, McKoy objected to rival Sayegh’s invocation of “relationships” as a substitute for honest services rendered.

The Paterson Times captured the epic exchange here.

The Joe Biden Veteran Candidate’s Award for Best Winning Argument

Bill McKoy of Paterson

See Above.

The Best Name 

Mercer County Deputy Clerk Walker Worthy, candidate for Mayor of Trenton

“Worthy to Serve, Prepared to Lead.” It has a definite, undeniable ring to it.

The Least Politically Motivated Campaign Vow as he attempts to ensnare Latino Voters

Walker Worthy

If elected mayor of Trenton, Worthy promises to open an office of Latino and Hispanic Affairs in City Hall.

The Most Endorsements

Councilman Andre Sayegh, candidate for Paterson Mayor

Writing these words at this moment in time deprives us of snagging the next inevitable incoming endorsement email for Sayegh, who has practically the entire Democratic Establishment, including labor and the Pastors of Paterson – on his side as he tries to win the ultimate ungovernable city.

The Most Galvanized Natural Base

At-Large Councilman Alex Mendez, candidate for Mayor of Paterson

Sayegh has a large network of Democratic Party-connected alliances across ethnic lines. But Mendez commands an impassioned base of Dominican voters – the city’s fastest-growing immigrant population.

The Campaigns with the Most Obvious Connections to Governor Phil Murphy

Sayegh for Mayor of Paterson and Davis for Mayor of Bayonne

Governor Murphy landed today in Bayonne in an attempt to give a shot in the arm to Davis in his bid to hold off former Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (D-31), while Sayegh routinely points to his “relationships” with Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver as keys to how he can secure more state support for the Silk City.

The Biggest Non-Event of the Season

The Citywide Newark Race for Mayor

Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins appears to have zero traction in her bid to derail incumbent Mayor Ras Baraka.

Best Celebrity Endorsement

Former Deputy Mayor Pedro Rodriguez, candidate for Mayor of Paterson

Donna Jackson may be able to rap with the best of them, but Rodriguez actually recruited the inestimable Fetty Wap to his campaign.

For more, please go here.

Best Turn of Phrase to Target Required Voting Blocs

Sayegh

Trying to go after non-Dominican Latinos and African Americans, Sayegh in his closing remarks at the last Paterson Mayoral Contest debate of the season, said he would be a mayor for everyone, whether “you’re from South America, or the American South.”

The Don Guardian Candidacy Award

Reed Gusciora, candidate for Mayor of Trenton

A lot of insiders at the outset didn’t know what to make of Assemblyman Gusciora’s (D-15) mayoral candidacy, but win or lose he ran a credible campaign and has convinced some Trenton watchers that he’s in the top three – or better.

The Hank Martinez Can he Get His Chin Over the Bar Award

East Ward Councilman Augusto “Augie” Amador

Amador can hardly avoid a runoff at this point with a crowded field and former Police Director/Chief Anthony Campos running at him hard. If he loses a post May 8th showdown with Campos, Amador will have failed to get over the same 20-year incumbency mark of predecessor Martinez, whom Amador defeated to get to City Hall.

The Just Smile Award

School Board Member Avery Grant, candidate for Mayor of Long Branch

If he upsets the odds and takes out incumbent Mayor Adam Schneider, Vietnam veteran Grant – tired of all the downcast faces and negativity – wants to mount a beachfront Smile Campaign.

All in the Family 

The Fonsecas

Veteran political operative Pablo Fonseca is at the helm of daughter Crystal Fonseca’s East Ward council candidacy.

The What the Hell is ELEC Award?

Alex Mendez

Running to lead the state's third largest city, the Paterson mayoral candidate seemed not to care that he doesn’t file reports with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

For more InsiderNJ coverage on the May 8th elections, please go here.