| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Presented by AARP | Many of us were wondering whether 2023 was going to be a repeat of 2021. It turned out to be a lot more like 2022. Doom predicted for Democrats in the months leading up to the election. Issue after issue seeming to break against them. And then Election Day comes and Democrats do much better than expected. Democrats didn’t just maintain keep hold of the Legislature. They expanded their majority the Assembly. In the 11th District, Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) looks to have won by about 20 points in what everyone I talked to thought would be a close race, and he brought his running mates along with him. Democrats also appeared to have taken revenge for Steve Sweeney’s shocking 2021 loss with former Assemblymember John Burzichelli's full ticket defeating Republican state Sen. Ed Durr's. Democrats held the 4th District without needing the help of phantom candidates. Democrats held on to all their seats in the 16th District. And Democrats even pulled off an Assembly upset in the extremely Republican 30th District by running Rabbi Avi Schnall, who ousted Republican Ned Thomson thanks to Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish vote. By the time I put this to bed, the AP hadn’t called the 38th District. It’s looking like a 3-to-5 seat Democratic pickup in the Assembly and a wash to single-seat pickup in the Senate, if you don’t count retiring Republican-turned-Democrat state Sen. Sam Thompson’s deep-red seat returning to Republican control. So what happened? Was it Democrats’ focus on abortion? It has repeatedly proved to motivate Democratic voters following the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Democrats also focused early on fiscal issues, and a lot of voters got property tax rebates right before the election. And Democrats embraced vote-by-mail, building in big advantages weeks before Election Day while Republican voters continue to be reluctant to embrace it despite the pleas from their party leaders not named Donald Trump. Republicans decided to focus on the school culture wars. That was a huge flop. Trans student issues, sex education and books that include frank depictions of sex sure riled up some school board meetings, but it doesn’t look like they did anything to help Republicans at the polls. And unlike in previous elections, Republicans can’t really blame the district map, since they drew it along with Democrats. You’ll see Gov. Murphy’s people spinning it as a good night for the governor, and they’re not wrong. In addition to him not being an anchor on his own party at home, he presided over the Democratic Governors Association as Democrat Andy Beshear won reelection in Kentucky. This won’t hurt First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Senate candidacy case with the party bosses. Read more about it here. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s an open bar!” — State Sen. Vin Gopal in his victory speech. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Erik Simonsen, Ashley Balcerzak, Sister Pat Codey, A.J. Sabath WHERE’S MURPHY? Media: Ask Governor Murphy on your local NPR affiliate at 7 p.m.
| | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey's older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home. But too many can't afford to pay out of pocket, and they're left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes which costs taxpayers more money. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can't afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | |
WHAT CULTURE WAR? — A Rutgers-Eagleton poll conducted before the election and released just as polls opened Tuesday seemed to presage last night’s results. Voters cited fiscal concerns as their top concerns, with the economy and taxes being the two top issues. Abortion and education, which have dominated the most high-profile campaigns, were cited as the top issues by 6 percent and 3 percent, respectively. But that doesn’t meant they’re not potent issues. Fifty-nine percent said abortion would be a major reason for who they choose, with another 21 percent saying it would be a minor factor. Forty-seven percent said parental involvement in education would be a major factor, with another 29 percent calling it a minor factor. The electric vehicle mandate and offshore wind were cited as major factors by 34 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, 70 percent said gun violence, not discussed much on the campaign trail, was a major factor. Read the full poll here
THE MARTYR — “I hung a US-Israeli flag at the Eagles game —and I'd do it again,” by George Norcross for The USA Today Network: “Hanging the flag seemed consistent with the team’s view, but their demands didn't stop despite my strong objections. Then more security guards came in, one after another, until almost a dozen security staff jammed into the box. One aggressively went to rip off the flag. I stood up to block him and made it clear — loudly — that the flag would remain, and he could leave. My action seemed consistent with the NFL’s stance on the countries that have been attacked — and not just Israel. … The security staff of the Eagles and NFL (not the Philadelphia police) twisted my arm behind my back into an armlock and I was paraded out of the stadium in front of thousands as the flag was torn down and crumpled in view of the crowd. It is still unclear to me how the flag could be deemed ‘obscene or indecent’ or otherwise inappropriate.” —“The Norcross imperative,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “If the team allows a seemingly popular political expression to be displayed in the stands, it would also have to permit a seemingly unpopular expression. In this case, that would be someone displaying the Palestinian flag. … Here is where one well versed in New Jersey politics may wonder if Norcross expected some sort of special treatment because of who he is – or was. … For his part, Norcross said he is considering suing. … The feeling here is that there will be no suit, because it is unlikely to go anywhere.” MISSUES — “Major issues nearly absent from campaign trail, advocates say,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Sophie Nieto-Munoz: “Candidates running in this year’s round of legislative races haven’t been shy about where they stand on issues like offshore wind or abortion. But progressive activists say those seeking to win election to the Legislature on Tuesday missed an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics they say are on voters’ minds, from NJ Transit to auto insurance prices to racial justice to policing … Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said the lack of engagement with voters, which includes newly naturalized citizens and young voters on the topics they care about, contributes to low turnout.’
| | | | A message from AARP:   | | | | | | LOCAL | | |
PROSECUTORS WON’T STOP ‘TIL THEY GET ENOUGH — “This is why Paterson Councilman Michael Jackson must surrender the passcode for his phone,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Councilman Michael Jackson must surrender his cellphone passcode to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for a grand jury investigation into possible new criminal charges against him, a judge has ruled. Superior Court Judge Sohail Mohammed also decided that Jackson — who is already facing an election fraud indictment — is not entitled to see the sealed allegations used as the basis for the cellphone warrant. … The judge noted in his decision that a grand jury is looking into possible new criminal charges related to the original indictment, including witness tampering, hindering prosecution and false swearing, against the councilman and maybe others. Jackson on Monday told Paterson Press he already has filed an appeal of Mohammed’s ruling. ‘I’m not concerned about that one bit,’ Jackson said, when asked about the threat of new charges against him.”
A BAD HARVEST — “Atlantic City voter says she was pressured to vote for candidate that wasn’t her choice,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The voter from Atlantic City’s 5th Ward wants her vote-by-mail ballots voided after alleging that she was pressured into filling out a VBM application, designating an unknown messenger, and pressuring her to vote for a candidate who wasn’t her choice. … She claims someone showed up at her home around October 29 and asked if she planned to vote in today’s election. ‘... The unknown woman directed me to complete the application in a certain way, including by designating another unknown individual as a ‘messenger,’ she said in a sworn statement to the court. … Then, the following day, she claims a different person – “a middle-aged, heavier-set, African American male, showed up at my residence. He was bearing a mail-in ballot for me,’ the voter stated. ‘This unknown male pressured me to vote for a particular candidate in the race for the Atlantic City 5th Ward Council seat, even though it was not my preferred candidate.’ … According to the voter, the same thing happened to her husband, but he had planned to vote for the candidate the assistor wanted him to. Both cast provisional ballots during the early voting period, asking the court to void their vote-by-mail ballots and order the provisional votes to be counted. … It’s not immediately clear if the man in question is Craig Callaway, a former Atlantic City Council President, and a veteran ballot harvester.” CREED RECORDS NOT WIDE OPEN — “Newark teachers union sues district to access anti-Black bias report,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steve Strunsky: “The Newark Teachers Union has filed a lawsuit to force the state’s largest school district to release a report it commissioned on ‘anti-Black’ bias at the School of Global Studies. Earlier this year, the district commissioned education consulting firm CREED Strategies to look into tensions between Black and Latino students and complaints of racial bias and insensitivity that members of the magnet high school’s Black Student Union aired publicly at Newark Board of Education meetings late last year … The district has never released the report, and the teachers union and news organizations, including NJ Advance Media, have formally requested copies under the state Open Public Records Act, or OPRA. But Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León has characterized the report as an internal draft document, asserting it is exempt from OPRA requests.” STRIP MALLS FOR THE WIN — “Toms River election results 2023: Republicans win big, new mayor taking over,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jean Mikle: “Republican Councilman Daniel Rodrick rode a wave of anger about development in the township to a resounding victory in the mayor's race, beating Democrat Ben Giovine in an election that will reshape Toms River's future. Rodrick received nearly 70% of the vote. … "’I believe tonight's vote is a referendum on the downtown redevelopment plan,’ Rodrick said, speaking at the Ocean County GOP victory party at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River. ‘No one wants to live in a city. We moved to Toms River to get away from cities.’” REPUBLICAN HOPES SANK LIKE THIS TOWN — “Crate fends off Catalano for Brick mayor's seat: Unofficial results,” by Patch’s Karen Wall: “Lisa Crate has fought off a challenge from Republican John Catalano in the race for Brick Township mayor, according to unofficial results. With 57 of 57 districts reporting, Crate had received 10,978 votes, and Catalano had 7,626, according to the unofficial tallies posted to the Ocean County Clerk's election website.” FREEDOM ISN’T FREEHOLD — “Election results 2023: Paid parking, construction, school fights drive Jersey Shore voters,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Jerry Carino: “Betty Anderson has lived in Freehold Borough since 1957, and she’s said she’s voted in every election since John F. Kennedy was running for president. On Tuesday, asked why she turned out to vote when only local matters were on the ballot — no presidential, gubernatorial or congressional races — she lifted her cane and pointed to a ‘Pay to Park’ sign outside of Freehold’s borough hall. ‘That — pay to park,’ she said, spitting out the words with clear disgust. ‘I’m paying taxes here, why should I pay to park?’ This is an election for the devoted citizen, and folks who showed up Tuesday were driven by local issues and principle.”
| | | | A message from AARP: New Jersey's long-term care system is broken.
Older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home—where they want to be. But too many can't afford to pay out of pocket for this care, and they're left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes, which costs taxpayers more money.
AARP is fighting for legislation that allows residents who are likely to qualify for Medicaid to begin receiving services in their homes when they need them. It's time to transform our long-term care system and make it easier for New Jerseyans to age in their homes and communities. Seniors who need care should not be forced from their homes because Medicaid approval takes too long. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can't afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495. | | | —“Fitzsimons, Troiano and Mikulski lead in Wildwood” —“Lakewood NJ election results: Incumbents win board, township races” —“Hoboken’s 1st Ward council seat hangs in the balance as the 5 incumbents win” —“In Atlantic City, older voters wonder where the young people are” —“Ex-Paterson cop who led ‘robbery squad’ that targeted residents loses federal appeal” —“Paterson reaches $3M police overtime spending agreement with NJ Attorney General’s Office” —“‘Sexist, chauvinistic and anti-military’ cops are harassing me, [Aberdeen] officer claims in suit” —“Judge orders [Asbury Park] to approve plan to demolish historic church while developer hopes to save it” —“Another Jackson, NJ school employee charged with sexual crimes” | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
EMOTIONAL RESCUE DOG — “Emotional support dog banned from condo gets her day at N.J. Supreme Court,” by NJ Advance Media’s S.P. Sullivan: “New Jersey’s highest court heard oral arguments Monday in a fight over a Labrador mix named Luna that could reshape the rules for emotional support animals in the state. The Supreme Court is weighing the fate of the 70-pound shelter pup adopted as an emotional support dog by a couple living at a condo complex that forbade large canines during a hearing at the state justice complex in Trenton. The justices are weighing whether the local condo board was obligated to waive the ban on large dogs as a ‘reasonable accommodation’ under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination and, if not, what happens to Luna.”
—“School bus driver may have fallen asleep before hitting N.J. house, cops say” —“Falling through the cracks: A single mother and her young son are losing their N.J. home. No one seems to care”
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