| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | | Good Tuesday morning! I wrote yesterday about how the mysterious group called Jersey Freedom that’s promoting an alleged phantom candidate in South Jersey hadn’t filed with ELEC when I checked around 7 p.m. Friday. It turns out it did file with ELEC later Friday night. But did you really think we were going to learn about who’s funding the effort before the election? Jersey Freedom reported spending a little over $35,000 on mailers in its 11-day pre-election report. But apparently the group has a very generous printer who works on credit. Because it’s listed as an outstanding obligation owed to the Baltimore-based Creative Print Group. Jersey Freedom hasn’t disclosed any donors yet, and this means it won’t have to until 20 days after the election. The only new thing to glean about the organization is one new name associated with it: An Egg Harbor Township resident named Shane Walsh whose name showed up on their registration form. There’s no contact info for Walsh. But someone with that name was filing public records requests for Murphy administration text messages during the Katie Brennan scandal in late 2019. Who would be doing that? Well, potentially an opposition researcher with a bone to pick with the Murphy administration. So it’s worth noting that at the time, South Jersey Democrats were locked in a huge political fight with Murphy. I reached out to someone named Shane Walsh on Facebook who appears to have at least some connection to New Jersey politics, but he didn’t get back to me. When a group is this shadowy and offers no real information as to who’s behind it, you can only look at the circumstantial evidence. There's the fact that one of the petition circulators has ties to South Jersey Democrats. The fact that one of the alleged phantom candidates claimed she was encouraged to run by state Sen. Fred Madden (D-Gloucester). The use of the same printer used by “Brighter Future Forward,” a 527 with more obvious ties to South Jersey Democrats. And, of course, South Jersey Democrats’ history of phantom candidates. So while we don’t have enough information to definitively say who’s behind it, there’s a lot of signs pointing in one direction — and it’s not north, east or west. Brighter Future Forward, the other new group playing for Democrats in South Jersey, reported raising $2.5 million — exclusively from two Carpenters union PACs — and spending about $2 million. Forgive me for devoting so much space to this, but I believe strongly in transparency, and groups that actively work to subvert it deserve as much scrutiny as we can give them. TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “For decades, we’ve been forced to toss millions of pounds of cardboard into our landfill annually. Now, we can give those pizza boxes a second life.” — Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, announcing in a press release that county residents can now recycle pizza boxes even if they have a little grease on them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Ralph Caputo, Joann Downey, John Driscoll, Jennifer Morrill, Tish Coughlin, Rob Zuckerman. Missed yesterday: Frank Pallone WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule
| | A message from Alibaba: U.S. companies sold $66 billion worth of goods last year through Alibaba’s global online marketplace, including New Jersey-based companies Nuria and Phyto-C. These sales are helping local businesses grow and having a major economic impact – adding $1.2 billion to New Jersey’s economy, supporting 10,000 local jobs and $694 million in wages. Learn more about how Alibaba is positively impacting New Jersey’s economy. | | |
|  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
#METOO — “Whisper campaign: The secret story of rape and sexual harassment in N.J. political campaigns,” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio and Kelly Heyboer: ‘She knew she’d been raped. But, she said she didn’t know what to do next. The young, married mother was a Democratic candidate running for town council in a recent election. And the man whose apartment she woke up in was a fellow candidate trying to get elected in a nearby New Jersey town. … In the weeks after the alleged rape, she confronted the candidate, hoping for an apology. But, it never came. Though she was reluctant to go to police and file a public report in a case that she said could boil down to his word against hers, she still wanted to make a formal complaint somewhere before voters went to the polls. She considered informing local campaign officials about her allegations so the county Democratic party might at least consider pulling funding from the man’s campaign. But, there was no HR department to file a complaint on either of their campaigns, which were mostly made up of volunteers. … In the end, the woman said nothing. The man was elected …
"NJ Advance Media spoke with more than 20 politicians, campaign workers, consultants, volunteers and political insiders who shared their experiences with alleged sexual harassment, misogyny and sexual assault while working on New Jersey political campaigns. Many said they were harassed in the years since the #MeToo movement put a spotlight on sexual misconduct in 2017." CHRONIC PROBLEMS — “Corruption, backroom deals, local politics mire N.J.’s legal weed rollout, businesses say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jelani Gibson: “New Jersey promised a fair and ethical cannabis industry in which mom-and-pop shops would thrive. The law crafted by state legislators allowed towns, with little oversight, to authorize who can sell weed legally. Cannabis entrepreneurs seeking a piece of the billion-dollar industry are saying they’re being exposed to extortion, intimidation and political savagery. Municipalities have the ability to set their own fees, licensing schemes and preferences independent of state supervision in a way that exceeds virtually every other regulated industry including liquor licenses. The state created a regulatory agency with limited power to address concerns of wrongdoing, effectively impeding the expansion of the market, observers say. Where the War on Drugs ended another one began, eating alive some of the very people legislators claimed they wanted to help. Accusations of weaponizing eminent domain, applicants fearing for their family’s lives for speaking out, city councils strong-arming others to not speak to the press, conflicts of interests, lawsuits and more have opened up a new battlefront.” WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY — New Jersey governor spent $12K on stadium events — including a Taylor Swift concert, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy used his taxpayer-funded expense account for nearly $12,000 worth of food and drinks at MetLife Stadium — including at a Taylor Swift concert and a hip-hop music festival, according to public records obtained by POLITICO. Now, after being questioned about the justifications for the costs, the governor’s office says it is asking the state Democratic Party to reimburse taxpayers for the entertainment. … Murphy’s office said the Democratic State Committee was initially expected to cover the stadium costs but didn’t. The state was left with the bill, which was paid via Murphy’s $95,000-a-year expense account — a longstanding line item in the state budget which has been consistently renewed under Murphy and his predecessors. THE TUTORS — “Mounting delays in N.J. tutoring program called ‘hugely frustrating’,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley: “A vaunted statewide tutoring program for third and fourth graders has been delayed significantly, with tutoring that was supposed to begin almost three weeks ago likely not starting until next year in some districts, according to several superintendents. The N.J. Department of Education issued guidance on Oct. 20 — more than a week after the program was to begin — that some of the 343 districts that applied for state funding would have to collect bids from tutoring providers to do the work. … ‘This is a bureaucratic problem, and they’re putting it on the backs of children,’ said Paula White, executive director of JerseyCAN, a schools advocacy group.” I PREFER CHUNKY ELECTIONS — “This is what New Jersey officials are doing to ensure a smooth election,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “The Division on Civil Rights will continue its Voter Protection Initiative, which was announced last year and used during the 2022 election as well as this year’s primary, to focus on identifying and addressing any voting rights or civil rights violations, including under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the state Law Against Discrimination.” —Sanders calls for ‘adequate’ staff ratios from RWJ University Hospital during New Brunswick appearance —“NJ Elections: A look at Murphy’s block of turnpike/parkway toll hike” —“LGBTQ+ issues play key role in upcoming NJ election decisions. Here's how” —“NJ’s interim women’s prison facility until Edna Mahan replacement is built” —Greenpeace: “The right is wrong about off-shore wind. Climate change and pollution are killing whales” —Snowflack: “Trying to buck Bucco”
| | | | A message from Alibaba:   | | | | | Biden's Beltway | |
THE KIMPOSSIBLE DREAM — “Tammy Murphy preparing to file U.S. Senate campaign account this week,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “In the next few days, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy will take steps to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate by filing with the Federal Election Commission to raise funds to test the waters and gauge the feasibility of becoming a candidate, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. A formal announcement for the seat currently held by indicted Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez could come sometime in the next few weeks, according to two sources with direct knowledge of Murphy’s political plans.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | AT HIS HOLLENBECK AND CALL — “How Menendez tried and failed to place an ally in a key federal post,” by The New York Times’ Benjamin Weiser, Nicholas Fandos and Tracey Tully: “Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey had a problem — and, prosecutors say, an opportunity. An old friend and political patron was facing federal prosecution. And as New Jersey’s senior senator, Mr. Menendez was in a position to help, by recommending the next leader of the office overseeing the case. In early 2021, Mr. Menendez urged President Biden to nominate a lawyer he knew well as the state’s next U.S. attorney: Esther Suarez, a politically connected prosecutor in his home county. It did not go as planned. When White House and Justice Department officials interviewed Ms. Suarez, they found her knowledge of federal law lacking, and they had substantial concerns about her qualifications, according to four people familiar with the sessions. Mr. Menendez pushed for Ms. Suarez to be given another chance, the people said. But after a rare second interview, the result was the same. The episode sheds new light on the lengths to which the government now says Mr. Menendez … went to try to secure a friendly prosecutor in New Jersey’s top federal law enforcement position. … Ms. Suarez would have been well known to Mr. Menendez. She worked for Scarinci Hollenbeck, a law firm led by one of his oldest confidants, and as legal counsel to his hometown, Union City.” MENENDEZ WON’T RESIGN BECAUSE MUSIC CRITICS TOLD HIM NOT TO QUIT HIS DAY JOB — “Robert Menendez’s golden pipes,” by The New Yorker’s Charles Bethea: “Bob is someone who sings all the time,” Senator Robert Menendez’s wife, Nadine, told the Times in 2021 … Jim Fusilli, the Wall Street Journal’s former music critic … was a year ahead of Menendez at Saint Peter’s College, where Fusilli edited the music section of the school paper, the Pauw Wow, in the mid-seventies. Menendez majored in political science. After reviewing some of the Senator’s vocalizing on YouTube, Fusilli offered his professional opinion. ‘He’s a gentle crooner,’ he said. ‘His voice lacks any distinguishing characteristics. But he won’t offend the ear at a niece’s wedding or in a karaoke bar.’ Another fellow-student, Tom Calvanico, who plays bass in a Rumson cover band called the No Commitments (Dylan, Petty, the Stones, but no Springsteen—too cliché), took a similar view. ‘We might let him do a Dylan song, because no one expects great vocals,’ Calvanico said.” —Sue Altman: “New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. enables anti-LGBTQ extremism”
| | A message from Alibaba: New Jersey businesses, like Nuria and Phyto-C, are taking their businesses global by selling to consumers on Alibaba’s online marketplace.
“Our company experienced a 600% increase in revenue since selling on Alibaba,” Dr. Eddie Omar, CEO of Phyto-C, said. “Our partnership with Alibaba played a significant role in spurring the recent expansion of our manufacturing facilities. As a small business, none of this would have been possible without Alibaba.”
By partnering with Alibaba, American companies sold $66 billion worth of products globally last year. The impact of these sales reaches far beyond Main Street.
In New Jersey, sales of American products on Alibaba added $1.2 billion to the state economy in a single year, supporting 10,000 local jobs and $694 million in wages for local workers. Learn more about Alibaba’s positive impact on New Jersey’s economy. | | | | | LOCAL | |
NOTHING WORRIES HUDSON COUNTY POLITICIANS MORE THAN RATS — “Rent control, rat infestations and cannabis are hot topics in Hoboken City Council races,” by The Jersey Journal’s Mark Koosau: “In Hoboken, a lot can happen in two years, and all of the issues, big and small, are bubbling up as election season reaches its crescendo. Whether it’s rent control, rat infestations or cannabis, candidates in the city’s six wards are making their cases on why they have the answers and should be elected to the City Council Nov. 7. The non-partisan election is largely defined between two groups — those critical of Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s administration and those who support the mayor. Bhalla’s allies currently hold a 5-4 majority on the council, and the results could tip the balance of power.”
—“Parklets, parklets, parklets! Controversial issue hogs the attention as Hoboken voters ponder council candidates” OCEAN GROVE — “Ocean Grove could be fined $25K a day if it keeps blocking beach on Sundays, state says,” by NJ Advance Media’s Rob Jennings: “State officials have notified a Jersey Shore landowners’ association that it could be fined up to $25,000 a day if it resumes blocking beach access on Sunday mornings next summer. The latest warning from the state Department of Environmental Protection came 10 days after the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association filed a lawsuit seeking to continue using chains and padlocked barriers to block beach access from its Monmouth County boardwalk on Sundays. The association blocks access to the beach between 9 a.m. and noon on Sundays — starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing until Labor Day weekend every year. The tradition of limiting access to the sand on the ‘Lord’s Day’ is tied to Ocean Grove’s history as a Methodist community retreat, the group said.” —“Social workers instead of cops? Red Bank experiments with money from opioid settlement” — “Neptune Township administrator arrested, says she was victim of domestic violence” —“[Cumberland] county will pay $2.25 million settlement after claims 5K prisoners were strip searched” —“347 disqualified mail-in ballots in criminal charges against Alex Mendez were not counted” —“Long dream realized as first ferry to NYC launches from [South Amboy]” —“In Passaic County Board of Commissioners election, Dems face slate of women GOP newcomers” —“How much would Edison pay a public advocate and what would they do?” —“Weehawken BOE OKs $700k settlement for ex-student who alleged 1979 sexual assault” —“Grassroots groups battle to affect NJ school board races. Who are they? What's at stake?” —“Should full-day kindergarten be free? Voters in [Evesham and Bridgewater-Raritan] to consider the question in November”
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PEAPACK-SADSTONE — “Pfizer plans to shutter New Jersey site, discloses layoffs amid $3.5B cost-cutting drive,” by Fierce Pharma’s Frasier Kansteiner: “Following prior rounds of cuts in Illinois and Colorado, Pfizer is downsizing in New Jersey, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) alert from the Garden State. The disclosure comes as a result of Pfizer's plan to close its Peapack, NJ, facility in early 2024, a company spokesperson said over email. While the WARN listing shows that 791 positions are affected, the ‘vast majority’ of workers will be reassigned to Pfizer's New York Headquarters, the company's spokesperson said. Another ‘small portion’ of impacted workers will go to the company's Parsippany, NJ, site, the spokesperson added.”
— “DOL recovers nearly $25K from NJ Dairy Queen” —“Atlantic City Expressway takes first step toward cashless tolls”
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