Winners and Losers: Independence Week

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Winners

Steve Fulop

The ambitious Jersey City councilman realized a long-held dream this week when he was sworn in as mayor of the state’s second largest city.  Fulop is a rising star in Democratic politics and his victory is seen as a major step in a long political career.

Jim Kostoplis

The former Hamilton Township police captain who is running for Burlington County Sheriff received the endorsement of the officers union that represents the sheriff’s department – in other words, the ladies and gentlemen who might one day work for him.

Andre Sayegh

The Ward 6 councilman was installed this week as the new Paterson City Council president.

Rutgers and Rowan Universities

The historic restructuring of the state university became official this week amid pomp and circumstance.  Rutgers absorbed most of the University of Medicine and Dentistry while Rowan added the School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Jim Whelan, Bob Gordon, Linda Greenstein

The three Democratic state senators are well out-raising their opponents in three of the most competitive districts.  The GOP is hoping for a strong showing in all three as they vie for control of the state Senate and they won’t get there without winning all three.  But the incumbents are well ahead in the money race and the challengers will have to play catch-up all summer.

Gov.’s Race Winner

Chris Christie

Gov. Chris Christie had a big week what with an endorsement from a trade group in the heart of Democrat country, a cancer leadership award, revenues that beat projections yet again, the consumation of the Rutgers restructuring and a new book that says he was courted by the likes of former President George W. Bush to run for president last year.  His newsworthy week, though, was tempered a bit by revelations that the governor threatened to drop an F bomb on national television if his three-minute video was cut from the GOP national convention last summer. A producer on hand for the event says it didn’t happen but Christie himself isn’t talking.  It won’t hurt him in his re-election bid and national voters may not care, but it adds to the narrative of a guy very intent on having things his way.

State Sen. Barbara Buono got some face time pushing for same-sex marriage and decrying a Supreme Court ruling invalidating a portion of the Voting Rights Act and ELEC reports show she’s getting her share of support from outside groups, but she still lags in the polls and Christie continues to rack up endorsements – and cash.

 

Losers

Brian Stack

The PAC run by the Union City Mayor and state Senator was hit with a $68,000 fine last week for late filings between 2003 and 2005.

Cory Booker

He’s likely to win it all in this year’s special election for U.S. Senate, but the ambitious Newark mayor ran afoul of some possible future constituents this week when he was called out for using the slogan of the Sussex County Democrats on the ballot though the group has not endorsed him.

Winners and Losers: Independence Week