WHO’S UP

Mikie Sherrill

The CD11 Democratic candidate pocketed the endorsement of Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark, after the mayor decided not to run for the Democratic nomination to go against U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11). That makes former Navy helicopter pilot (and former prosecutor) Sherrill the favorite to land the nomination.

Kristin Corrado

A close ally of former Passaic County Republican Committee Chairman Peter Murphy, the LD40 Senator finally assumed the oath of office today in a senate session called by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3). Former state Senator Kevin O’Toole (R-40) and Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas could also join in the revelry (Barlas in person at the Statehouse on Thursday afternoon).

Colin Bell

The Democrats don’t appear done yet in the 2nd District, where Bell, now a state Senator succeeding the late Jim Whelan, can run as an incumbent now in his battleground underdog effort against Assemblyman Chris Brown (R-2).

Jim Tedesco

The Bergen County Executive followed through on his promise to forge a new direction for the county hospital that will strengthen behavioral health, addiction treatment, long-term care and acute care services.  Thanks in part to Tedesco (up for reelection next year), the largest hospital in New Jersey and fourth-largest publicly-owned hospital in the country has a new name – New Bridge Medical Center – as well as new not-for-profit operators – Care Plus Bergen, Inc. – an innovative collaboration among three world-class partners including Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Integrity House, and Care Plus NJ Inc.

UNKNOWN

John Bartlett

Yes, it will be difficult for the Passaic County Freeholder to muster support in his home county, if the scuttlebutt proves accurate, but until the party denies him the line, he is now the only Passaic-based candidate in the 11th District. We’ll see what happens. It would have been better, obviously, had Kazmark decided to endorse him over Sherrill. But with Kazmark out, Bartlett can make a real play for Passaic.

WHO’S DOWN

John Currie

Allies of the gravel-voiced Democratic State Party Chairman failed to persuade a judge to dump Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado out of the clerk’s chair prior to Oct. 1st so that Currie could run for that office this year.

Ruby Cotton

History was but a flicker for the former council president turned mayor (very briefly) last week. In full-bore political mode, the Paterson City Council took the mayoralty away from Cotton behind a push by Councilman Bill McKoy and Councilman Ken Morris, Jr. Her tenure in the aftermath of the corruption-crumpled Jose “Joey’ Torres didn’t last a week.

Insys Therapeutics

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Middlesex County Superior Court, Attorney General Chris Porrino charged the specialty pharmaceutical company with deceptively marketing the synthetic opioid pain medication Subsys for off-label uses at higher-than-recommended doses. The AG also charged that the company submitted false health insurance claims to boost the market share of Subsys.

Oscar N. James

The politically connected owner of a consulting services company this week admitted evading taxes while operating his business in 2009, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced. James Sr., 60, of West Orange, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to Count Two of an information charging him with tax evasion.