Winners and Losers: Week of July 21st
Christopher Rodriguez
Governor Chris Christie this week announced his selection of the CIA operative as New Jersey’s next Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP). (Politicker Staff)
http://www.politickernj.com/77941/winners-and-losers-week-july-21st
Torres saddles up with Fulop and Baraka for mayors’ initiative
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Paterson Mayor Jose Torres, and municipal officials on Monday will announce the launch of a strategic partnership with mayors from across the state to address public safety issues. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/77971/torres-saddles-fulop-and-baraka-mayors-initiative
CD3 race: MacArthur’s wife calls latest Belgard For Congress press release “disturbing and sad”
A new voice has entered the congressional debate between Republican businessman Tom MacArthur and Democratic hopeful Aimee Belgard in CD3. The speaker? (Brush/PolitickerNJ)
AG’s Office: former EO
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that a former top official of the East Orange
Fight of the Week: Christie v. Astorino
When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie looked askance at the chances of Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino versus New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic incumbent, it wasn’t just the shot that echoed across the Hudson. Instead, the verbal skirmish that ensued could have national repercussions. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/77901/fight-week-christie-v-astorino
Menendez and Booker join Transportation Sec. Foxx in call for Highway Fund extension
PARSIPPANY – Newly a resident of Bergen County, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) test drove his sun-dappled side here in equally leafy Morris County next to his fellow upper house federal lawmaker, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a brace of labor brass, including VP of the NJ Laborers Union Ray Pocino. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
Meadowlands track owner eyes casino nearby
At more than 750 acres, the Meadowlands Sports Complex has plenty of places for a casino, should one be approved by state officials. (Brennan/The Bergen Record)
http://www.northjersey.com/news/meadowlands-track-owner-eyes-casino-nearby-1.1058140
Little sunlight as Obama raises super PAC dollars
WASHINGTON (AP) — For years President Barack Obama railed against the surge of unlimited spending flowing into American political campaigns, arguing that average voters were being shut out of a secretive system that lets special interests bankroll elections.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/little-sunlight-as-obama-raises-super-pac-dollars-1.1057475
For Chris Christie, New Jersey pension battle presents a test for 2016
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, N.J. — There was a faint ripple of applause as Chris Christie’s black SUV pulled up to the waterfront gazebo, and it was all but drowned out by a loudspeaker blaring the Beach Boys. The turnout was modest as well, unless you counted the 200 or so grim-faced police officers and firefighters from across the state, who far outnumbered the locals. (Tumulty/The Washington Post)
Christie to visit Kansas, Oklahoma ahead of November elections
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s role as chair of the Republican Governors Association will be keeping him busy in August, particularly in America’s heartland. Mr. Christie is slated to travel to Kansas on Aug. 20 for a roundtable with incumbent GOP Gov. Sam Brownback, according to a copy of an invitation viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The suggested minimum contribution is $25,000 to attend the private event at the home of doctors in Mission Hills, a suburb of Kansas City. (Haddon/The Wall Street Journal)
Christie bridge scandal committee privately interviewing potential witnesses behind the scenes
Attorneys for the special legislative panel investigating the George Washington Bridge scandal have been interviewing potential witnesses behind closed doors, according to committee members, who expect others yet to be subpoenaed will also be privately questioned. (Sherman/The Star-Ledger)
CNN Poll: Romney would now beat Obama (but not Clinton)
It looks like some people are having second thoughts about their presidential vote in 2012. A new CNN/ORC International Poll says that, if the 2012 election where held today, Republican candidate Mitt Romney would defeat President Obama in the popular vote by 53%-44%. (Jackson/USA Today)
Woodbury native leaves senate job to work for Sweeney
After more than 31 years working in the United States Senate, Woodbury native Karin Elkis has left federal service to become the chief of staff for the Senate Democratic Caucus, working alongside state Senate President Steve Sweeney. (Imbesi/The South Jersey Times)
Mayor’s daily, early morning check of AC’s pulse
ATLANTIC CITY – Every mayor of this vexing town deals with its ghosts at some point and maybe that is why they are drawn to very physically take in the entire place every day. (Rosenberg/The Philadelphia Inquirer)
http://articles.philly.com/2014-07-27/news/52094495_1_boardwalk-lorenzo-langford-atlantic-city
Opinion
Jackson: Federal report on Newark police department may come back to haunt Cory Booker
When the U.S. Justice Department issued a damning report last week about civil-rights abuses by the Newark Police Department, Sen. Cory Booker — who served as the high-profile mayor of the city while the abuses were piling up — said the federal involvement was a positive step. (Jackson/The Bergen Record)
Political Insider: smooth sailing lately for WNY Mayor Felix Roque
Lately, West New York Mayor Felix Roque has been more content with his political life. It’s been smooth going, or “suavé.” (Torres/The Jersey Journal)
Fulop gets a free pass on his mini-Bridgegate: Moran
Two months after Gov. Chris Christie’s crew deliberately snarled traffic at the George Washington Bridge, another manufactured traffic jam bottled up one of Jersey City’s port terminals for several hours on consecutive days. (Moran/The Star-Ledger)
The time the RGA helped Christie win a landslide: The Auditor
The Republican Governors Association doesn’t pay for landslides, Gov. Chris Christie says. Except when it does. (The Auditor/Star-Ledger)
