RIP Donald Payne Jr.

Apr 25, 2024

Good Thursday morning.

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who spent weeks in the hospital in grave condition, succumbed to his April 6 heart attack yesterday. He was 65.

Payne wasn’t one of the most high-profile politicians from New Jersey, but he continued the political legacy started by his father nearly 40 years ago in Newark.

“As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day,” Gov. Phil Murphy said of Payne in a statement “That purpose was the light that guided him through his early years as Newark City Council President and during his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him still through his more than a decade of service in Congress.”

You can read my obituary of him here.

It’s awkward to mention it, but naturally there’s already talk of who’s going to replace Payne.

And while the county line may be gone, this will not be an open primary — at least not for the next term. Mail-in ballots have been sent out with Payne’s name on them and he’s unopposed in the Democratic primary. That means, except for the extremely unlikely scenario in which a write-in candidate wins, it’s up to the Democratic committees in the 10th District towns — which include three counties — to select the nominee to replace him, who will all but certainly go on to succeed him.

As for the remainder of Payne’s term, it’s up to Gov. Phil Murphy to call a special election to replace him. The governor has two options: Call a special primary for July at the earliest, followed by a general election in September. Or he could schedule the special general election to coincide with the regularly scheduled general election. With the latter option, the law is silent on whether there needs to be a primary or if Democratic and Republican committees from the district can choose nominees.

There’s a deep bench of potential successors, especially in Newark, which the district is centered on. David Wildstein has a good list here. It’s an important seat for the Black community, and one of the highest percentage Black districts in the country. The most obvious potential successor — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — is not interested. Baraka is running for governor in 2025 as an underdog, and this would be a near sure-bet. But his spokesperson Kabir Moss told me yesterday that the mayor is a “definite no” on seeking the seat.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at MFriedman@politico.com.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Following a press conference on the impacts of a proposed 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee on Tuesday, there were a few reports indicating NJBIA was supporting an increase of New Jersey sales tax as a funding source for the proposed tax on business. In statements made to the press, however, NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka was speaking of a best option of dedicating a portion of existing, organic sales tax growth without a tax increase.” — a New Jersey Business and Industry Association press release, following some backlash. Assemblymember Brian Bergen cited Siekerka’s quote, “There is the opportunity to go back to that 7 [percent sales tax] because we are in the realm of it and dedicate that amount” — and called it “moronic.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Frank Vespa, Karen Kominsky, Alexander Keiser, Matthew Weng

WHERE’S MURPHY? — Media: “Ask Governor Murphy” on News 12 at 4 p.m.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COMPTROLLER HATERS — County governments want the Legislature to investigate the comptroller, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: The lobbying arm for New Jersey’s county governments says they’ve gotten a raw deal state from Comptroller Kevin Walsh, who recently issued three critical reports on county governments, and now they want the Legislature to investigate him. … “Established in 2007 to audit, assess, and monitor public agencies, the Legislature could not have intended for the OSC to evolve into an agency that operates as prosecutor, judge, and jury,” NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio wrote in a Wednesday letter to legislative leaders. Added Donnadio … The letter represents a major escalation of state and local governments against the office, which is charged, among other things, with auditing government finances and investigating alleged misconduct. Donnadio said in a phone interview that he would like to curb some of the office’s powers. Walsh in a statement to POLITICO said he welcomes scrutiny from lawmakers. “Legislative hearings on our reports would be great. I welcome the chance to share our findings and our process with the public. So far, none of the Counties has pointed out a single factual error. If the goal of this request is to undermine our independence, it won’t work,” he said.

1.1 MASTROS — Fulop commits $10M for down-ballot primaries for candidates who back his agenda, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop — who is running to be the Democratic nominee for governor in 2025 — announced Wednesday that he will commit $10 million for down-ballot primaries ranging from state Assembly races to county and local offices. Supporting Democratic primary opponents over incumbents or party-backed candidates is a politically risky move that would alienate Fulop from Democratic Party leaders — who carry inordinate sway in New Jersey politics — although it burnishes his image as the political reformer candidate in the Democratic primary. … Fulop said that he is seeking candidates who would back his agenda and hold officials “accountable” on votes such as overhauling the state’s public records laws, an issue being debated at the statehouse. And he said that backing primary candidates would disrupt Trenton’s horse trading, where deals are cut between regional power brokers on who gets key positions in the state Legislature.

THE GARDEN STATEHOUSE — “You can’t grow weed at home, so they planted it on the Statehouse lawn,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “By Jelani Gibson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Days after the international holiday for weed, activists planted cannabis in front of the Statehouse to protest New Jersey’s ban on growing your own. … Most states that have legalized adult-use cannabis, including Republican-led ones, have also allowed homegrow, either for the entire market or for medical marijuana patients. … The demonstrators cynically named the garden after state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, who authored the cannabis law but has been opposed to homegrow. At some points he has cited safety concerns and viewed it as competition to stores that sell adult-use cannabis. … ‘This is something that’s allowed everywhere, this is a senseless prohibition,’ said organizer Chris Goldstein of NORML, a national cannabis legalization advocacy organization. ... No arrests or citations were made, but officers did order the plants removed, saying the activists did not have permits.”

—“New Jersey is motivating telecommuters to appeal their New York tax bills. Connecticut may be next”

—N.J. contractor donations increased following gutting of state and local pay-to-play laws

—Weinberg: “NJ Transit is nearly $1 billion short. Taxing corporations like Amazon, Tesla could fix that”

—“FDU Poll: Majority of N.J. voters support increased fees for EVs”

—“N.J. school funding winners and losers: See how your district fared under new plan”

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BIDEN TIME

WHAT ABOUT ROB? — “Menendez: Bhalla ‘No knight in shining armor,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “When Robert Menendez Jr. ran for Congress in 2022, the mayor of Hoboken, Ravi Bhalla, was in his corner. ‘Not only did he endorse me, he campaigned for me,’ Menendez said in a phone conversation Wednesday morning. But now? This year, Bhalla is challenging Menendez’ renomination in the June 4 Democratic primary. What changed? The question is facetious. … This is one of Bhalla’s central points – not only the senator’s legal woes, but the ‘corrupt’ system that made Menendez Jr. a congressman. To Menendez Jr., Bhalla is simply an opportunist, a man seeking to cynically capitalize on the senator’s troubles. ‘Ravi knows that we’ve been productive,’ he said. ‘He wants to talk about my father to try and muddy the waters.’”

—“Show the math on $15 fee to drive into parts of lower Manhattan, [Gottheimer] demands”

—“Chat Box: A Conversation with the U.S. Senate Democratic Party Challengers streams and broadcasts beginning April 25 on NJ PBS”

LOCAL

HOW MANY ROADS MUST A MAN DRIVE DOWN BEFORE HE CAN SUBMIT A BID? — “Should Bob Dylan get the blame for road repair delays in downtown Paterson?” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Maybe Bob Dylan should get the blame for delaying the long-awaited $9.8 million reconstruction of pothole-plagued River Street. What’s the legendary troubadour’s connection to a contract for fixing crumbling asphalt in Paterson? The Montana Construction Corp. of Lodi is blaming the filming of ‘A Complete Unknown,’ a movie about Dylan, in downtown Paterson for creating traffic problems that stalled its driver on his way to City Hall to submit a bid for the road repair project. … Montana Construction Corp. filed a lawsuit earlier in the day on Tuesday and a state judge subsequently issued an order blocking the council from approving the contract. In its lawsuit, Montana claimed its driver overcame the film crew delay and arrived at the City Hall bid opening at 10:58 a.m., with two minutes to spare, but was improperly turned away.”

END OF DAYS(-CHAPMAN) — “H.S. principal leaves position after being charged with misconduct involving N.J. mayor’s family,” by NJ Advance Medaio’s Eric Conklin: “The Atlantic City Board of Education officially approved a high school staff member’s move to interim high school principal while the school’s main principal faces misconduct charges tied to child abuse allegations against the city’s mayor and superintendent of schools. Donald Harris, the high school’s director of secondary education, was made acting principal as of March 29, according to an item the board voted on during its Tuesday meeting. He takes over for Constance Days-Chapman, who left the position after being charged with official misconduct, hindering apprehension of another, obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse.”

SPARTANS VOW TO BLOCK WAREHOUSE AT THERMOPYLAE — “Judge’s ruling in Sparta case a red flag for NJ warehouse fights,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Jon Hurdle: “In late March, state Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz disqualified eight of the nine members of the Sparta Township Planning Board from determining whether to approve a plan to build 660,000 square feet of warehousing in the Sussex County town. Their offense: They were all supporters of an online community group that was formed to oppose the project, the judge said. … ‘It is virtually impossible to separate their organizational membership goals in [the Sparta Responsible Development Facebook group], and the impartiality necessary to render a fair determination on a site plan approval,’ Minkowitz wrote in a 14-page order on a suit by Diamond Chip against the township. … The decision is believed to be the first in the state to affect virtually all members of a local planning board, and observers said it may change the battle lines that have emerged around New Jersey’s warehouse boom.”

VINELAND — “Vineland police sergeant accused of using position to obtain child porn indicted,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s John O’Connor: “A Vineland police sergeant who allegedly used his position to obtain child pornography from a case the department was investigating was indicted Wednesday, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Christopher Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child by possessing more than 100 items of child sexual exploitation/abuse material, official misconduct and tampering with records. The indictment alleges Ortiz obtained more than a dozen items depicting child sexual exploitation associated with a case the department began investigating in March 2023 based off a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Platkin said Wednesday.”

—“Millions in Passaic sheriff surveillance equipment locked away over national defense case”

—ELEC hits Somerset GOP for missed reports

—“Contested Oakland council primary race attracts two sets of Republican candidates”

—“Candidate for [Washington Township, Gloucester County] mayor kicked off voter rolls after residency investigation, officials say”

—“Newark youth not in school or working nearly double the statewide rate, new report finds”

—“Family of man killed by [Englewood] police ‘humiliated and insulted’ after grand jury clears officer”

—“Gaza protest at [Eastern Regional High School] postponed after blistering letter from officials”

EVERYTHING ELSE

NURSING HOMES: BEST WE CAN DO IS INCREASED STAFF INFECTIONS — “The feds call for more nursing home staffing. Can N.J. long-term care facilities comply?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman and Susan K. Livio: “Three years ago, New Jersey put in place a landmark law requiring minimum staffing levels for nursing homes. This week, the Biden Administration imposed even stricter mandates. Those rules will for the first time mandate how many hours of care residents must receive at federally funded long-term care facilities. They also require a registered nurse be available around the clock at federally funded facilities, which are home to about 1.2 million people. … But industry officials complained that the federal requirements were unrealistic and could cause some nursing homes to close. ‘Instead of unfunded mandates from Washington, New Jersey’s nursing homes need to be provided with resources that enable them to be successful,’ said Andrew Aronson, president and CEO of the Health Care Association of New Jersey.”

THE CHURCH — “New Jersey bankruptcy judge allows diocese sex-abuse plan to advance,” by The Wall Street Journal’s Soma Biswas: “The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, N.J., received a green light in bankruptcy court on Tuesday for an $87 million plan to settle hundreds of sex-abuse claims that have been snarled in protracted litigation with insurance companies.”

BEHIND BARAS — “NJ Instagram influencer Jay Mazini sentenced to seven years for $8 million fraud scheme,” by The Record’s John Connolly: “Bergen County Instagram influencer Jebara Igbara, also known as “Jay Mazini,” was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in prison for a fraud scheme that netted $8 million, authorities announced. District Judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn sentenced Igbara, 28, of Edgewater, to 84 months in prison for wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, which the defendant pleaded guilty to in November 2022, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York stated in a release. Igbara, who maintained the popular "Jay Mazini" Instagram account until March 2021 with a million followers, would post videos of himself handing out cash and other gifts. However, authorities said he was operating various fraud schemes that targeted the Muslim community.”

—“Two years after trail went cold, FBI renews search for Wall art teacher's stolen paintings”

—“New Jersey snags mixed results in annual snapshot of air pollution”

—“Collapse of wind farm projects spoils New York’s climate goals. Here’s why”

—“Who says it's goodbye? Jon Bon Jovi heads to American Idol finale”

—“Hundreds of acres burn in New Jersey Pinelands at peak wildfire season, closing key road and trails”

—“Princeton students to start ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment,’ leaked documents say”

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