Will the Congressional Redistricting Commission give Joe Cryan a golden parachute to Washington?

by: Bertin Lefkovic

Sun Nov 06, 2011 at 12:49:34 PM EST

What remains to be seen, however, is what Cryan will do once he is sent there.  Will he unite with his fellow back bencher in the Senate, Dick Codey, to build an opposition movement that will contend not only for the Governor's office in 2013, but also all 120 legislative seats?  As much as I would love to see this, I do not expect that this will happen.  It is very possible that Dick Codey will run for Governor in 2013, but it is also possible that Cory Booker, Barbara Buono, and Steve Sweeney will run as well and it is unlikely that any of them will run opposition slates against the party lines that they do not win, which means that regardless of who wins the gubernatorial primary, there will not be much change in the legislative roster or its leadership.

If I am right about this, then Cryan will most likely remain on the back bench for most of the next decade.  That is, unless he finds a new office for which to run or that office finds him.  There have been times in the past decade when Cryan expressed an interest in running for Congress in the 7th district, but admitted that the current configuration of the district made it extremely difficult for a Democrat to win.

This is very true.  Our best chance to win this district came in 2006 when a very popular Assemblywoman, Linda Stender, challenged a very unpopular Congressman Mike Ferguson in a year that Democrats were trending up and Republicans were trending down.  However, despite these trends, Stender came a few thousand votes short of victory.  Two years later, Stender did not run as strong of a campaign as she did in 2006 and faced a very popular State Senator, Leonard Lance.  Despite huge turnout increases inspired by Barack Obama's candidacy, it was not enough for a Democrat to win the 7th and Lance defeated Stender by a much wider margin than Ferguson did two years earlier.

(D)eform Jersey Now

by: Bill Orr

Sun Oct 17, 2010 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

It was in June when we first heard about Reform Jersey Now (RJN). On the airwaves it called for Speaker Oliver to hold a vote on Christie's then 2.5% cap on property tax increases. This 501 (C) (4) organization went on to solicit $25,000 donations from persons to attend events featuring Governor Christie. It also set up its own website to accept contributions. Yet little is known about this shadow operation.

Luminaries and big time Christie donors appear on the website as members of the Advisory Board. From information on the site and the AG's Charitable Registration Section additional names can be unearthed. As with other 501 (C) (4) groups it was possible to dig into specific records. Some statements on RJN's site seem at odds with reality. As a (501 (C) (4) it can do extensive lobbying, engage in political campaign activity, and accept donations from any source - corporate, individual, or foreign - in unlimited amounts, including from state contractors, without disclosing the names of its donors.

RJN on its website says it is "not affiliated with any political group or committee." However, it supports only Republican causes and Governor Christie in particular. Its Advisory Board consists of Chuck Shotmeyer, President, (a recent Christie nominee to a state commission), former Governors Whitman and DiFrancesco, former Congressman Mike Ferguson (Christie advisor), William J. Palatucci, Esq. (Christie advisor and Sr. V.P. for Community Education Centers which does extensive business with the State), and other noted fundraisers, advisors and donors: Joseph Buckelew, Mitchell Modell, David Norcross, and Candace Straight. The contact address on the website using reverse White Pages turns out to be the home of John Visconi, who previously worked on Republican Bill Baroni's election campaign, has specialties in election law and campaign finance, and has served as Law Clerk at Michael J. Lunga, Esq., LLC.

The RJN website unsurprisingly features photos and videos of Christie and promotes his policies. In the donation section the site says recent contributions were "dedicated to its public policy purpose." It also indicates, "Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this solicitation and the percentage of contributions received may be obtained from the N. J. Attorney General." However, RJN's AG file (Charity Registration Number: CH3286200) indicates no reported income nor expenses. The file does provide an RJN address which turns out to be the home of Ronald Gravino, another nominee for a state commission, who served as Treasurer for Christie's campaign. Further checking with N. J. Election Law Enforcement Committee's campaign financing and lobbying disclosure site and Guidestar's IRS data site provided no reporting of financials nor any records for RJN.

The above sheds more light on this shadow group, but indicates it still operates in almost darkness. As Sen. Barbara Buono said, "Groups like Reform Jersey Now need to live up to a higher ethical standard." Democratic State Party Chairman Wisniewski has stated, "Any Republicans that claim interest in reform should immediately demand that Reform Jersey Now release its donors and expenditures." In addition to federal action on 501 (C) (4)'s, it's time for the NJ legislature to shine a spotlight on this organization, which by its secrecy is deforming rather than reforming Jersey.

What's Left In The Tank?

by: huntsu

Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 09:52:50 AM EDT

Jim Saxton has SAXPAC, which has been closed down with $0 cash on hand after expenditures of $13,000 fro legal fees (anyone know what that's about?), $8,000 to a election compliance specialist (was there an issue that might deal with lawyers and election compliance?), $5,000 to Chris Meyers and $5,000 to Duncan Hunter's run for President.  Really.

Ferguson is a little harder to write out, but we'll try.  His Mike PAC is still open, but only has about $1800 left after a little less than $95,000 in expenditures since the last election.  He's got a lot of $1,000 contributions to local campaigns and out-of-state members of Congress, with only Chris Smith seeing any House money in state.

$20,000 went to the Somerset Republicans, $8500 to the Hunterdon Republicans, and $1,000 to Union County.

On the other hand, Saxton has over a million dollars in the bank and Fergie has about $250,000.

So there's a lot of money in the campaign war chests even if the PACs are dead.  I wonder if they'll use them for anything.

Rep. Mike Ferguson: I Failed At My Job

by: huntsu

Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 08:19:14 PM EDT

A little over a year ago we got nailed by the unnamed Nor-Easter, and Bound Brook, South Bound Brook and Manville got nailed again.  Ferguson was still Congressman.

When Ferguson got the job, his district flooded.  When Ferguson walks away, it'll still flooding.

And this is what he says:

"We're working with the senators,"' Ferguson said about the state's two senators, Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez.

Back when he was Tom DeLay's favorite congressman, taking in more than a quarter million from DeLay, his PACs and his cronies, Ferguson couldn't get crap for his district.  Back when the President was coming to town to party over the spectre of the destruction of Social Security, Ferguson got nada.  Back when Republicans could do anything they wanted with boogey-man threats, Ferguson got nothing.

Now that the Democrats control Congress suddenly last year we got more than ever before, and he's "working" with our Democratic Senators to get $10 million, $20 million for the project.

The difference is not Ferguson, it's the party in charge.

Think about that when you vote in November, all my friends in the 7th district.  Leonard Lance may be a nice guy with some environmental votes in his pocket, but he's still a Republican and they don't give a damn if your town drowns.

It's the Democrats who are there for you, and the ones who will help.

This ain't 2003!!!

by: Thurman Hart

Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:38:00 AM EDT

You see, back in 2003, when Republicans controlled the House, Republicans extended unemployment benefits by a vote of 416 to 4.  Only Scott Garrett hated the unemployed enough to vote against extending benefits at that time.  Ferguson, Frelinghuysen, and Saxton voted for the $7.2 billion bill.  That was when the national unemployment rate was 6.0 percent.

Fast forward to this year.  The unemployment rate now stands at 5.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  As of last month, New Jersey's unemployment rate was 5.0%.  The bill would cost $11 billion over ten years.

So there are two possible explanations for Ferguson, Frelinghuysen, and Saxton: Either the economy just isn't bad enough or the bill isn't Republican enough.  Either way, they owe it to their constituents to explain their action.  Something that was right in 2003 can't just be wrong in 2008.

New Jersey Republicans try to kill Amtrak

by: Hopeful

Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 09:15:00 PM EDT

"It is no exaggeration to say that rail service is the lifeline from which New Jersey's state economy draws nourishment.  Our region's employers - small, medium, and large - depend upon an integrated rail operation to enable many of their employees to get to and from work," Holt said. "The continued operation of Amtrak is an essential component of easing traffic congestion, reducing wear and tear on roads, protecting our environment and preserving open space in New Jersey and across the country."

That's why all thirteen New Jersey Congressmen voted for the "Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act" -- though unfortunately it faces a Bush veto.  Still, as far as New Jersey is concerned, it's a lovely story of bipartisanship -- we may even read about it in the papers tomorrow.

But it's a happy story only if you just look at House Vote 400.  Moments before, in House Vote 399, all six New Jersey Republicans tried to kill the bill by voting to "recommit with instructions."  

Their names are Mike Ferguson, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Frank LoBiondo, Jim Saxton, and Christopher Smith, and when you're not paying attention, they do what Bush says.  

Garrett wants to leave Congress

by: Hopeful

Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:19:10 PM EDT

GOP Senate Primary - Disclosure Doesn't Pay

by: Thurman Hart

Sun May 11, 2008 at 08:15:45 PM EDT

George Ajjan is a Republican activist, writer and pundit who was the GOP nominee for Congress in the 8th District in 2004.

There's only one thing wrong with that description (that I'll focus on here) - it's incomplete to the point of being misleading and dishonest.  George Ajjan is working for Murray Sabrin, as is evidenced by his name on Sabrin's press releases.

I give the Record credit for being evenhanded - they have an op-ed for each of the candidates for the GOP.  It's almost as if they looked for the worst possible people to do it, though.  For example - Mike Ferguson writing for Dick Zimmer.  

Happy Mother's Day!

by: Hopeful

Sun May 11, 2008 at 05:00:00 AM EDT

Once you've done so, also take a moment to remember Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Frank LoBiondo, Chris Smith, Jim Saxton, and Mike Ferguson, who voted against Celebrating the Role of Mothers in the United States and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Mother's Day.  If you ask them, they might explain that they are not against mothers at all, but instead are trying to tie up Congress so it can't accomplish anything.  Four of them go before voters in November as they seek to do the same next year.

Hello, Kettle? May I Introduce You to Pot?

by: huntsu

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:09:07 PM EDT

It is eerily similar to Ferguson's "Stender is a Spender" campaign from 2006 where he blamed Assemblywoman Linda Stender for everything that happened in Trenton even if Stender voted against it.

But apparently it's OK to blast Democratic state legislators for being part of the mess in Trenton, but not the Republicans.  At least in Fergie world.

"I was very disappointed to see Kate's ad, because it's false, it's misleading, it's a complete distortion of Senator Lance's record,'' said Ferguson, calling Lance a "taxpayer's champion in Trenton for years.''

Yeah, the most powerful Republican in the state government for years and he's a champion.  And how about the incredible debt run up under Lance's watch while they controlled state government and Whitman was governor?  Was that debt championing the taxpayers?

And blaming Linda Stender for actions in Trenton she voted against wasn't distorting the record?  Wasn't that "false, it's misleading, it's a complete distortion of [the] record?'

LNG Platforms off the Jersey Coast?

by: Jason Springer

Sat Apr 12, 2008 at 10:38:31 PM EDT

ExxonMobil and a private investor group each have proposed liquid natural gas terminals in the Atlantic, east of New Jersey and south of Long Island. Both projects are pending federal approvals.

Despite the potential for appeals, the governor's decision takes the project off the front burner and shifts attention to New Jersey where two other developers are proposing separate off-shore LNG projects.

The first, "Safe Harbor Energy," comes from Atlantic Sea Island Group (ASIG), a group of private investors who propose to build a man-made island for a LNG facility 13 miles off Long Beach, NY, and 19 miles off Sea Bright, NJ.

The second, "Blue Ocean Energy," is ExxonMobil's plan for a floating LNG terminal located 30 miles off Long Island and 20 miles east of New Jersey. (Video)

It will be interesting to see how the lessons of Broadwater are applied in New Jersey, both by the developers and project

Among the shifts in power: The federal government would gain the power to approve giant liquefied natural gas terminals off the coasts, over state objections. [snip]

Rep. Mike Ferguson, a fellow Republican from nearby New Jersey, supports increasing federal authority, and says states would continue to hold some regulatory oversight of these facilities.

"Federal pre-emption for siting is necessary to ensure the highest safety and security for LNG terminals," Ferguson said.

Now Congressman Ferguson has, in a largely party line vote, voted against an amendment to the Coast Guard appropriations bill that would require the Coast Guard to "conduct a comprehensive security and safety review of liquefied natural gas facilities."

Opposition likely will be lead by Clean Ocean Action, a Jersey shore environmental organization which hasn't wasted any time is using its web site and a "fact sheet" to educate its members and supporters about the alleged shortcomings of both projects.

The NJ GOP Is Not Racist! They Just Play One On Election Day.

by: huntsu

Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 03:18:06 PM EST

Well, now we know there is thanks to Allen Raymond, a former GOP operative who wrote a tell-all book (text below from TPM) about his political dirty tricks and what he calls criminal antics.  See, he'd know because he was sent to jail for 90 days for illegally jamming the NH State Democratic Party's phones on election Day 2002.

As an aside, NJ7 GOP candidate Kate Whitman was the NH State Republican Party's Communications Director that day. 

Back to the story, though.  Our new friend Mr. Raymond also has a history in NJ with a GOP political firm called Jamestown Associates which has proudly put the mug of one Congressman Mike Ferguson on its home page as proof that they can "win tough campaigns," including his 2000 race against Maryanne Connelly he just barely won.

Apparently they win close campaigns, and lose close campaigns, by relying on racism and hate.  Seriously.  Check out what they hired Raymond to do in the 2000 New Jersey election between Congressman Rush Holt (D) and Dick Zimmer (R):

[Tom Blakely from Jamestown Associates] called me up and asked, "How do you guys find voice talent?"

"Well, I've got a whole catalog of different voices on CDs. I've got 'single Northeastern female,' I've got 'Southern belle' -- what are you looking for?"

"We're targeting Democrats of Eastern European descent using a surname select and geopolitical filter."

"Oh," I said, quickly doing the polarizing-voter math in my head. "How about 'angry black man'?"

"Yeah, that sounds good. What's his voice sound like?"

So I cued up one particular actor's CD on my computer and put the phone to the speaker. The track I played was one in which the actor was deliberately playing up a street gang character.

After listening for a few seconds, Blakely said, "That's the guy!"

So we had the actor record a spot over the telephone saying, "I'm calling as a Democrat, asking you to vote for the Democratic nominee. We need your vote for Holt."

I'm not saying that all Eastern European whites are racists, but, no matter where or when an election is held, there is a always a cultural divide that you can rely on. The message was "I'm ghetto black calling you, racist Ukrainian guy, and scaring the crap out of you because you probably think that if you don't vote for the Democrat I'm going to come to your house and take care of some business."

He's not saying that all Eastern Europeans are racist; he's just saying that enough of them are that he preyed on that fear and hate to change their votes.  But it wasn't just Eastern Europeans!

We made calls to Democratic union households supporting Zimmer, taped by actors putting on thick Spanish accents, figuring union workers were the voters who felt most threatened by immigration. The objective was to get them to throw up their hands and stay home on Election Day. We were just forcing those people to make a decision that was true to who they really were. If you want to question someone's character, look to the people who stayed home because of those calls.

You wonder why there is a fear of Spanish speaking folks in working class NJ?  Because jackasses like Jamestown Associates and their clients (Mike Ferguson) fan the flames in order to win elections for themselves.  They can call themselves moderates all they want -- Jamestown also works for "moderates" Jody Rell and Chris Shays in Connecticut -- but they are just as cynical and ready to engage in racist stereotypes as much as any KKK Grand Wizard ever was.

This is your NJ Republican Party: they're not racist, but they're happy to take advantage and foment racism to win.

Lonely, Lonely Garrett

by: Juan Melli

Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 08:58:42 PM EST

During the vote last week, Mike Ferguson, Rodney Frelinghuysen and Jim Saxton also voted against it. This time around, the trio voted for it but only after tax-payer funded subsidies of energy companies were put back in the bill. President Bush is expected to sign the legislation.

In conclusion, Ferguson, Frelinghuysen and Saxton want to spend your tax dollars to subsidize the carbon economy, and Scott Garrett is more out of touch than Commander Cuckoo Bananas.

Just Wondering

by: huntsu

Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 12:54:35 PM EST

So where are these "pro-life" Congresscritters when it comes time to end the New Jersey Death Penalty?

Cillizza Says NJ-3, NJ-7 Among Top 5 Most Likely to Flip

by: Juan Melli

Fri Nov 30, 2007 at 10:58:35 AM EST

5. New Jersey's 7th District (R): Rep. Mike Ferguson's (R) retirement stunned House Republicans who now must defend one of the most expensive Congressional districts in the country (the 7th is entirely within the New York City media market). Adding to the Republican woes is the candidacy of state Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D) who came within 3,000 votes of ousting Ferguson in 2006. Republicans lost their number one recruit when state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. took a pass and now face a likely primary between Kate Whitman, the daughter of former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman (R), and state Sen. Leonard Lance. This district was made more Republican by redistricters in 2001 but given its cost Republicans must nominate a candidate with either a well-known name or deep pockets to compete. (Previous ranking: N/A) [...]

3. New Jersey's 3rd District (R): Rep. Jim Saxton's retirement is a BIG problem for Republicans. Why? First, this south-central Jersey district is marginal territory politically as President Bush won it with just 51 percent in 2004. Second, the district is covered by the incredibly expensive New York City and Philadelphia media markets and is a very tough one in which to communicate. Third, Democrats seem united behind state Sen. John Adler as their candidate, while state Sen. Diane Allen, the preferred Republican candidate, dropped from the race on Thursday, a decision largely credited to her running dispute with the boss of Burlington County. (How can you not love New Jersey politics?) It now looks like Lockheed Martin vice president Christopher Myers will be the Republican pick and will enjoy Saxton's support. (Previous ranking: N/A)

The Blog That Didn't Dump Mike Ferguson

by: nathanrudy

Sun Nov 25, 2007 at 06:52:35 PM EST

Last week Congressman Mike Ferguson, the Rep. from NJ7 who loved Tom DeLay and worshiped embryos, announced that at age 38 he was retiring from Congress after four terms.  His stated reason was to spend more time with his family, but suspicions have been raised that it was either an emerging sex scandal or the upcoming brutal campaign against Linda Stender that pushed him out.

Others suggested that a blog I mostly wrote, called Dump Mike, was a primary reason.  Matt Stoller over at Open Left wrote:

The first candidate-centric blog I ever saw was DumpMike.com, targeting Ferguson (congrats, you did it).  There were many times when Ferguson was embarrassed by the site, but my favorite post was when DumpMike caught Ferguson with a whites-only website.

Fergie's Retirement, the REAL reason

by: Jay Lassiter

Wed Nov 21, 2007 at 07:53:33 AM EST

Something besides that tired ol' spend-more-time-with-family meme.

Not surprisingly, non political people all over the state are scratching their head.  Maybe it's easier for non-activist types to smell a rat than it is for those of us in the trenches. 

So until we know for sure, I am curious what the rest of you all think.  Kindly turn your attention to the poll below the fold and weigh in accordingly.

It's Who I'm Running For... Not Who I'm Running Against

by: Linda Stender

Tue Nov 20, 2007 at 10:23:29 AM EST

Visit me at LindaStenderForCongress.com, where you can sign up for updates and contribute online via ActBlue.

I'm sure many of you have heard the news:  Republican Congressman Mike Ferguson is not seeking re-election in 2008.  While New Jersey's 7th District won't be seeing the rematch everyone expected, I'm still moving ahead at full-steam with my congressional campaign regardless of who my opponent will be.

First, before anything else, I just want to say that I respect Congressman Ferguson's decision not to run again.  As the mother of three children, I understand all too well the difficulty of juggling the demands of public service and family.  Along those lines, one of my strongest motivations for running for Congress is the well-being of all families and the future of all our children.

I also want to make it clear that this doesn't change my outlook on the race.  I was never running against Mike Ferguson.  All along, I've been running for my neighbors in New Jersey's 7th District.  Here are just a few of the reasons why: 

Stender Statement

by: Juan Melli

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 02:51:24 PM EST

"I respect Congressman Ferguson's decision not to seek re-election and, as the mother of three children, I understand the difficulty of juggling the demands of public service and family. But one of my strongest motivations for running for Congress is the well being of all families and the future of all children.

  "The change of Republican candidates is not enough of a change for the voters. They want a change in the direction of the country and no Republican who replaces Mr Ferguson will bring the change that is needed. 

  "The voters already sent a strong message rejecting the failed policies of the Bush Administration and all the Republicans who sided with him. The disastrous record of Bush and the Republican Party has become even more pronounced since the 2006 elections. The voters are more than anxious to follow through in 2008 and I am more than prepared to keep up the fight on their behalf.

  "I never slowed down after coming with a percentage point of winning last year and Mr Ferguson's departure makes me even more determined. The stakes are too important and the need for change in Washington is too great."

Mike Ferguson Announces Retirement

by: Juan Melli

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 12:36:14 PM EST

After barely defeating Linda Stender last year, Congressman Ferguson says he won't seek reelection in 2008. His announcement is surprising considering he's only 37. His statement:

"I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election to Congress in 2008.  I deeply appreciate the privilege the people of the 7th District have given me during the past seven years, and it has been my honor to represent them and our country.

"My wife, Maureen, and I have four children, the oldest of whom is 9 years old.  Since first being elected in 2000, I have strived to balance my responsibilities to my family and to my constituents.  I am indebted to Maureen, whose love, selflessness and patience allow me to meet my obligations to my constituents - from votes in Congress that extend past midnight to multiple trips each week between Washington and New Jersey and back again.  Being a representative in Congress is more meaningful than I had imagined, and I know that now is the right time to step away from public life to focus more on family life while our children are still young. [...]

"After winning re-election in an extraordinarily challenging year for Republicans in 2006 and then witnessing the impressive gains Republicans made in the 7th District just this month, I am confident that Republicans will nominate a candidate who will continue to reflect the mainstream values of voters in the district and be elected as our next representative in 2008.

(full statement below) The district has a partisan voting index of R+0.6, meaning it's a serious pickup opportunity for Democrats. PolitickerNJ speculates on next year's race:

Senate Minority Leader-designate Thomas Kean, Jr. becomes one of the most likely GOP candidates for the seat.  ....

Other possible GOP candidates include: Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick, outgoing Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, State Sen.-elect Christopher Bateman, Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery, and Franks, now the President of the Health Care Institute of New Jersey.