Good morning. It’s Wednesday, the day after the New Hampshire primary, and in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential ambitions aren’t looking too good in light of his showing at the polls. Meanwhile, likely looking ahead to the next gubernatorial contest, Senate President Steve Sweeney said he’ll seek a constitutional amendment to raise the state’s minimum wage.
Quote of the Day: “Do you think the governor is going to wake up tomorrow and his personality is going to be any different than it has been for at least the 20 years that I have known him? I don’t think so.” – Sen. Joe Pennacchio, on Chris Christie’s likely decision to keep campaigning in the GOP primary.
No Surprises For First Place in New Hampshire. As for Second…
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire Primary in their respective contests.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Pennacchio and Kean On Trump’s NH Success
New Jersey Republican Senators Tom Kean Jr. (R-21) and Joe Pennacchio (R-26) are in New Hampshire, cheering on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as he pursues the Republican Presidential nomination.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
NH Voter: ‘I Don’t Know Anyone Voting for Christie’
The First Baptist Church in Nashua, the polling location for the city’s third ward, was a flurry of activity Tuesday as residents did their civic duty and cast their ballots in the country’s first primary.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
On the Ground for Bush in Manchester, Kyrillos Hints at ‘Relevant’ NJ Primary
After having weathered months off scorn heaped on his soft-spoken establishment presidential candidate, state Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13) finds his man very much still alive in the contest and fighting for the number two slot in New Hampshire behind billionaire behemoth Donald Trump.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
New Jersey Republican Senator Crosses Paths with Dem Committee Members in Manchester
Operatives with the State Democratic Committee rounded a corner in the politics-exploding Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester and came face to face with a recognizable fellow New Jerseyan playing for the other team on Election Day.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
The $15 Minimum Wage: Another Legislative Firefight to Come?
State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) announced that he will introduce a bill mirroring another from U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ) Tuesday, saying that he will propose a constitutional amendment to introduce incremental increases in the minimum wage up to $15 by 2024. As Sweeney’s bill goes up against Assembly Speaker Vince Prieto’s recent bill to do the same in one fell swoop and through conventional legislative channels, the Senate president may have handed himself a boost for the Democratic gubernatorial primary next year at Prieto’s expense.
JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
Rubio Robots Under Attack in Manchester
New Jersey has War of the Worlds.
Not to be outdone, New Hampshire has attack of the Rubio robots.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Murray: Bush and Kasich HQs Humming More than Christie’s Over the Weekend
Patrick Murray, Monmouth University pollster and political scientist, did a final poll of New Hampshire voters that didn’t include data related to that Saturday night debate stage horn-locking between Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, which featured Christie’s throw-down of the previously surging senator.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
In NH, Wisniewski Talks Sanders, New Jersey and What’s Next
The Red Arrow Diner is the quintessential American greasy spoon: circular red bar stools line a red-topped counter, breakfast can be ordered 24 hours a day and rounded metal adorns the building’s façade. It is also the unofficial crossroads of the New Hampshire Primary and politicians, voters and media regularly cross over the cramped threshold on the road to primary day.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Chairman Al Gaburo’s New Hampshire Impressions
Having just spent the weekend pounding on doors for his presidential candidate, Gov. Chris Christie, Somerset County Republican Party Chairman Al Gaburo supplied a good and apt description of New Hampshire politics.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
With Sheriff Rochford Leaving, Sierchio Steps up in Morris County
With today’s announcement that veteran Morris County Sheriff Ed Rochford would not be seeking re-election this year, John Sierchio today officially announced his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination for Morris County Sheriff.
Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
New Loophole Means More Anonymous Campaign Cash
Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s) are becoming the new vehicle for independent groups to hide their donors.
LLC’s are structured in such a way as to limit the liability for damages against particular individuals or groups. Unfortunately, they also can be an easy way to make anonymous political contributions.
Jeff Brindle, PolitickerNJ Read more
Lesniak and Environmental Groups File New ExxonMobil Appeals
Environmental groups are joining Senator Ray Lesniak (D-20) in calling for stiffer penalties for ExxonMobil over the destruction of marshlands in the Bayway section of Linden and Bayonne. Lesniak filed his appeal of the New Jersey Superior Court’s decision on the matter this Monday, citing the state’s original estimate of $8.9 billion in damages.
JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
Rubio Supporter Says Campaign HQ Still Busy in Home Stretch
Veteran NJ campaign manager Mike Inganamort told PolitickerNJ that the headquarters of Florida Senator Marco Rubio are buzzing in the final few hours before New Hampshire’s primary polls close.
Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Firm defending N.J. whistleblower suit donated to Christie
Employees of a Newark-based law firm defending state officials in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former Hunterdon County assistant prosecutor have been contributing to Gov. Chris Christie’s presidential campaign, according to Federal Election Commission filings
Sallie Graziano, NJ.com Read more
N.J. lawmakers: Feds should to fix Sandy-damaged Hudson train tunnels
The U.S. Transportation Department has $817 million to spend in Hurricane Sandy funds and New Jersey’s congressional delegation wants a chunk of that money given to their state.
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ.com Read more
Beachfront eminent domain fights headed to court
New Jersey has the authority to take private beachfront property for a massive storm protection project, but it isn’t trying to turn the tracts into public land, attorneys for the state contend.
MaryAnn Spoto, NJ.com Read more
Students, professors rally at N.J. college over lack of contract
Negotiations for a new contract between professors at Raritan Valley Community College and school representatives have reached an impasse over healthcare costs and talks are entering mediation, according to a news release from the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey.
Dave Hutchinson, NJ.com Read more
N.J. legislators visit Clifton to push expansion of pre-school programs
Democratic legislators came to Clifton on Tuesday to push for a $110-million initiative to expand publicly funded pre-school in less affluent communities across the state, but even proponents concede that funding the effort could be a problem.
Patricia Alex, The Record Read more
Talks under way to avoid tax battle between hospitals, N.J. towns
Talks are under way to avert a potentially protracted tax battle between non-profit hospitals and the communities that host them, said the prime sponsor of a bill that tried unsuccessfully last month to work out a solution.
John C. Ensslin and Lindy Washburn, The Record Read more
Doblin: Only in Paterson: Go to jail and get a stained-glass window
Marty Barnes was a charismatic politician. He was the first African-American mayor of the city of Paterson. He was a crook.
Alfred P. Doblin, The Record Read more
Ocean County releases North Korea letter
Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari wants to bomb North Korea, but it still isn’t clear whether the rogue nation has gotten that message — or any other from the New Jersey official.
Erik Larsen, Asbury Park Press Read more
Youth for Christie? Working for the Bernie vote
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had one question for a college student who stood eye-to-eye with him in his final town hall meeting here Monday before today’s primary vote.
Sam Blum, Asbury Park Press Read more
Vermin Supreme mocks Christie in N.H.
The man with the thick prophet’s beard and an upside-down rubber wading boot on his head yelled through a bullhorn at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s campaign bus.
Thomas Fitzgerald, The Inquirer Read more
AC school monitor to leave as district faces $50 million shortfall
The local school district is facing more budget cuts for next year, but they will have to be managed by a new state monitor.
Diane D’Amico, Press of Atlantic City Read more
Christie’s Anti-Addiction Efforts Taking Shape Fast
Less than a month after Gov. Chris Christie used his State of the State address to outline new efforts to combat New Jersey’s epidemic of opioid addiction, some drug users are already experiencing a benefit. The state is also moving forward with plans to boost payments — perhaps significantly — to mental-health and addiction-care providers, something experts believe is critical to the state’s ability to beat back the disease.
Lilo H. Stainton, SpotlightNJ Read more
