Every year, while the headrush is still fresh, the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers hosts a gathering to pick apart election results and find meaning in it all. They call it The Morning After - NJ Legislative Elections: Results and Implications. You could probably fill an auditorium with still charged-up D's and R's, but Eagleton convenes this discussion in a beautiful room that only seats about 70 people. That makes it more discussion than presentation. And that makes it fun.
This morning's players were AP's Angela Delli Santi, Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, Record columnist Charlie Stile and former NJ GOP chair (now lobbyist) Tom Wilson. Eagleton's John Weingart moderated.
The audience was mostly players of various kinds; some of the best questions and observations came from Eagleton students. Everything was on the table. Below the fold, some vignettes, including Chris Christie's post-election black eye, leadership tension between Barbara Buono and Loretta Weinberg, who wears a suit and tie and why it matters, and why Dick Codey's having a really good day today:
Assemblyman-elect Troy Singleton was previously the chief of staff to then-Speaker of the Assembly Joe Roberts. Roberts was at the victory party on election night, and I spoke with him briefly following the event.
As a blogger, I've joined many of my colleagues in speculating about Chris Christie's presidential ambitions. Unlike many in the Republican field, Christie is smart enough to know that you don't just declare yourself as a candidate and go out and give stump speeches. That may work for elections to town council, but becoming the Leader of the Free (?) World requires a little more finesse and planning.
I've speculated that there are three signs that would indicate Christie's readiness to throw his hat into the presidential ring. Not this time around, but in 2016 when the nation is ready to switch parties after eight years of Barack Obama.
The first is weight loss. Like it or not, this is an issue that should not be. But reality says that some voters value appearance more than positions. Dieting to lose weight is difficult, but so is being president. Christie is working on his weight, has a personal trainer, and if his determination is as big as his ego, he will succeed in slimming down over the next four years.
John Bencivengo Finally Gives the 2008 Budget Deficit a number - $5 Million
After years of obfuscation about what the amount of debt was when he took office in 2008 John Bencivengo, in a Letter to the Editor of the Trentonian, states,
"Who can forget the $5 million dollar deficit depicted in the Annual Financial Statement of Fiscal Year 2007?"
Throughout his 3 ½ years in office, John Bencivengo and Hamilton Township's all Republican Council have pointed to a variety of differing amounts in defining what the deficit was.
In a Trenton Times article of June 17, 2008 announcing the appointment of John Ricci as the new Hamilton Towsnhip (Mercer) Business Administrator (in place of John Guhl), "
Bencivengo heaped praise on Guhl, saying that the exiting administrator had given the township "a turnaround beyond compare" as he attempted to tackle a $16 million budget deficit during his six months in office."
The Mayor has finally given Hamilton Township residents a true picture of what the "most serious financial crisis in our history" was that confronted his administration upon taking office in 2008. His comments also put a spotlight on the fact that this $5 million deficit accrued under an all Republican Township Council's watch.
It was the intentional murkiness of defining what the actual deficit was that allowed John Bencivengo and his Township Council to reorganize the Police Department, lay-off and eliminate 55 township positions, impose an 8 day furplough on all township employees and to raise municipal taxes to historic rates.
Now, this November, Township residents can make an informed decision about the incumbent Mayor's and all Republican Township Council's decision to address a $5 million deficit with a permanent $13.3 million tax hike.
My name is Dan Keelan, I live in Hamilton Twp (Mercer) and I am running on the Democratic Ticket for Township Council.
ABOUT ME Though I have closely followed international, national and local politics my entire life (not just my adult life), this is my first foray into politics.
I moved to Hamilton Township 7 years ago when I married my wife, a lifelong Hamilton resident.
In fact, when I proposed to my wife she said to me (almost as an after thought) "I am never moving out of Hamilton Twp!". She was adamant.
Now some people may consider that "pre-condition" limiting and I admit that thoughts of never living in Ireland or retiring to Costa Rica flitted across my brain. But I was in love - I am in love. And 7 years later I can say that I did get a good bargain - my wife and Hamilton Twp.
My background is Sales and Marketing in the IT world. I worked for very small companies to a very large Fortune 1000 company. In the small companies, I worked with great people who were equally determined to succeed as I was and we turned these smaller companies into mid-sized employers of 100 or more people. It was tough, it was nerve wracking and it was satisfying. I got to work with a Fortune 1000 company because one of the small companies that I helped to start was acquired by them. I ran the Account Development division in the Mid-Atlantic for them, which consisted of about 22 employees and 2 managers who reported to me and had $300 million in revenue. If you want to test your mettle with politics go work for a Fortune 1000 company :-)
I became tired of the large corporate world and took an opportunity to leave when they asked me to transfer. Today, I am on my own working to start my own company - Consulting on Energy, Solar and Telecommunications.
WHY I AM RUNNING
Despite my lifelong interest in politics and current events, I never thought that I would actually get engaged in the process as a candidate, but something motivated me. Something triggered and now here I am.
I know what the something is, but it only crystallized shortly after my sister-in-law was asked to run for Mayor as the Democratic Party's nominee.
Location, Location, Location - wasted Hamilton Township is essentially in the middle of NJ with excellent Interstate & Turnpike access. It has quick access to Newark's and Philadelphia's airports, is right on the Northeast train corridor and is convenient to NYC and the shore areas.
Despite this, Hamilton is fairing no better than other towns in NJ and this is because of the "same 'ole same 'ole" approach to governance from the incumbents.
Reckless and Unnecessary Tax Hike Additionally, they are damaging the local economy by driving businesses and residents out of the township due to a reckless and unnecessary 33% tax hike in 2008. They justify this by alluding to a "historical fiscal crisis" which they have never satisfactorially defined.
Waste They promised to do more with less, but their reckless tax hike has allowed them to raise spending by $30 million while at the same time laying off and furloughing Police Officers and other Township employees.
Public Safety
In March 2010 they furloughed the police department 8 days annually and then in June 2010 they gave Department Directors pay raises.
They hide crime from the residents by not reporting it to the local papers, while paying lip serive to the concept of Community Policing. Many Hamiltonians believe that they live in a safe community...they do not know about the Drive-by shooting, the Home Invasiions, the Armed Robberies, the assaults all because the incumbants do not want to hurt the economy or give the Township a bad name. This is disrespectful to the residents and to the Police Officers who competently servie us.
Partisan Politics
The Mayor and all 5 Council members are republicans who reside in a Democratic controlled County and LD. It is the municipal government that allows political affiliation to get in the way of partnering with their County and State leadership for assistance with funding/grants, implementing Complete Streets or Main Street programs, etc.
Redevlopment Now
They have little concept about proven redevelopment strategies that have been successfully deployed around the State and the country. Concepts such as Mixed Use Zoning, Complete Streets and Main Streets. They have made PILOT a dirty word - and it can be when not properly implemented, which means specific conditions applied to specific areas and types of business.
While neighboring municipalities such as Hightstown, Exing, Hopewell and Lawrence are reinventinf themselves, my town is dying and my opponents are making sure that no one is here to bare witness the funneral.
I have stayed educated on redevelopment strategies, Police Technology, the Township Budget and the concerns of the various neighborhoods. I am prepared to serve.
Thanks,
dan k
PS: Full disclosure. Until this spring, I was a registered Republican and supported the existing Republican Mayor and Township Council.
I was content with supporting them until I started educating myself in anticipation of supporting them this election year. In doing so, I could not reconcile what they have been doing with my belief system.
If you live in LD-39, you can VOTE TODAY for Carol Hoernlein. Former Councilwoman Carol Hoernlein's career in elected office began with One Vote - literally one. Fueled by the passion of Howard Dean's campaign, she wrote about it in one of my favorite diaries, One Vote. Now, she's at it again, because she noticed a Democratic hole in LD-39 ... - - promoted by Rosi
I wanted to let you all know - I am running for State Senate in District 39 today as a write-in.
There is NO candidate officially on the ballot in District 39. Hard to believe because in most other districts tough battles are being waged today. District 39 has traditionally been Republican Gerald Cardinale's territory.
I am running to finally give a voice to folks in 39 who have not had a voice in 3 decades. The Bergen County machine has always given the 39th a pass. I want to change that.
As a drainage expert, I hope to help NJ residents here with one of the most pressing problems in the Pascack Valley - flooding. I firmly believe I can positively impact District 39 in terms of my understanding about infrastructure as a civil engineer.
Protecting the environment has always been my most important priority for decades.
I will vote FOR marriage equality.
As a small business owner, I understand what small business owners have to face in this tough economy. I believe in revitalizing our downtowns and commercial sites while protecting the areas that are currently open space and should be preserved. We CAN do both.
I also understand how corruption increases costs on taxpayers from my fights against Pay to Play over the past few years and will support legislation to clean up corruption in our state.
I also want to protect our first responders - Firefighters, police from anti-union legislation. As a former state employee and former CWA union member myself I am aware of the assaults on workers rights. While I was Fire Commissioner in Tenafly, I fought for better equipment and benefits for the brave men on the volunteer Fire Dept.
I hope you will spread the word about my write-in campaign for State Senate today. Just make sure they spell my name right:
Carol HOERNLEIN (I know it's tough - but if Lisa Murkowski can do it.....)
With the Board of Education election just next week it's striking that Union City teachers received pink slips today. This happened last year and very few teachers were let go.
Are these pink slips a political motivated reminder to teachers and staff that they better vote for Brian Stack's BOE supporters or else? Is the era of Hudson County political bosses abusing public workers alive and well in Union City?
While teachers have a known opponent in Chris Christie are the political bosses of Hudson County, HCDO head Mark Smith and Mayor/Senator Brian Stack just as abusive toward educators and public workers?
UNION CITY AND BEYOND -- Approximately 150 teachers and another 300 Union City School District employees got notices this month saying their contracts won't be renewed for the next school year, but the same thing happened last year and most got hired back, according to a published report.
Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger was quoted as saying that they were given the notice as a "precautionary measure" since state aid has been precarious in recent years, and the district doesn't yet know how many teachers will retire this year.
The story on NJ.com states: "Last May, over 450 employees, including 210 teachers and approximately 240 non-instructional staff, received pink slips but virtually all of them were brought back."
Read more: Hudson Reporter - 150 Union City teachers get layoff notices again
In New Jersey there is a lack of accountability for officials occupying high level positions in every layer of our government. There is no popular vote for our Attorney General or State Auditor. Our county prosecutors, State Treasurer, and Supreme Court justices are all appointed positions. Their decisions and policies aren't influenced by the will of the popular electorate; they are shaped by the wills of one person: the Governor. We are promoting a system where high level officials aren't shaping policy in the best interest of their constituents. Instead, they are tailoring their actions to best assure re-appointment within the ideological spectrum of the administration.
Instead of the public weighing in on the credentials, experience, and education of an official through a popular vote, deals are cut in the back room to pay back loyal members of your party or a generous donor. Now this is not to say we are faced with prosecutors in New Jersey who don't deserve their office; I'm saying they need to be accountable first and foremost to the people of their counties, not the Governor's office.
On the county level we elect a clerk, a surrogate, freeholders, executives (in some places), and sheriffs. Like the Attorney General on the statewide level, we do not elect county prosecutors. This never made any sense to me. How can we elect people to issue passports and deeds, but not a person to implement criminal policy? In my opinion a clerk or surrogate are largely non-partisan positions, whereas a prosecutor from the two parties can espouse very different views on how to attack poverty, crime, and social justice. The people should be given a voice to pick who that person is in their county. New Jersey needs more accountability, not centralized power in the executive branch.
As you may know, I was a candidate for Township Council in Berkeley Heights this year. As a Democrat running in a Republican-leaning town in a Republican "wave" year, it's not surprising that I lost. Union County, however, saw a surprisingly strong victory for the Democratic Party's County-wide ticket, with Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and Clerk Joanne Rajoppi each garnering 60% of the vote; our Freeholder candidates weren't far behind.
I can imagine that the Union County Republican Party's Election Night gathering wasn't that joyful - neither was mine. When I conceded, however, I certainly did not attack the voters of Berkeley Heights by saying (for example): "You hit them [the Republicans] with a cattle prod, and they'll go under; there's no brain power involved." It would be incredibly offensive, and would do a tremendous disservice to my supporters, some of whom were registered Republicans.
Two years ago, I drafted a post (edited by the good members of Blue Jersey) with a rundown of what happened in the 2008 Congressional election in New Jersey's fifth district. We deconstructed the voting trends in each of the four counties, discussed how outreach and messaging (and money), as well as a different strategy, are needed to (1) win Bergen County, where most of the votes are and (2) close the gap in Passaic, Warren and Sussex Counties:
But this is a low information district with an inherent Republican advantage, where a large majority of people never hear a stump speech or listen to debates. And that is especially true in the rural areas that count for roughly one-third of the votes. So it's clear that very heavy handed, yet accurate, tactics must be used - and used consistently in a way that will not only reach these voters, but close the gap in Sussex and Warren Counties by 1/3 to 1/2 of the roughly 25,000 deficits of 2008 and 2004.
Now, I will admit this post may be a bit more subjective. But that's because since 2008 (and out of that diary), I helped start "Retire Garrett", a grassroots effort with outreach in all four counties to help recruit a candidate, solicit donors, craft message, coordinate outreach, and try to tackle the very tough feat of ousting Garrett in a fairly Republican leaning district. I (with other volunteers) figured this would be a 2 cycle effort, but worth pursuing.
So I lost. As many good Democrats did nationally (and a few bad ones, I might add), and in different parts of New Jersey. In the end, I finished with 1, 208 votes, or about 27% of the vote in a 3-way race. I finished 4th out of 6, beating the two Independents. My running mate, Linda Weber did much better, drawing 1,762 votes and missing a Council seat by less than 400 votes. In a different year (2006 or 2008), she would have won.
BIG WIN FOR US IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS: In the most hotly contested state legislative election of 2010, pro-marriage equality Democrat Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein WINS her election for state Senate! Linda has been a target over the years of anti-marriage equality organizations like the National Organization for Marriage and the New Jersey Family Policy Council. Congratulations, Linda! We are thrilled for you.
Stephen Yellin, aka "Mr. Liberal" here. As a blogger at Blue Jersey since 2005, I've been able to take some of the lessons learned from writing here in the blogosphere, and put them to good use as a candidate.
I want to give you all a final update on my campaign for Township Council in Berkeley Heights, in Union County . With E-Day just 48 hours away (45 in New Jersey, since the polls open at 6AM EST), I can truthfully say that I have a good shot at victory on Tuesday.
It hasn't been easy, running in a Republican-leaning town in a Republican-leaning year. So why do I have a "good shot"? Read on below to find out...
Good luck in Berkeley Heights, Stephen Yellin! By the way, as ABC
News reports, Stephen is just 21 or 22 years old. - promoted by Rosi
Hi all,
With just 11 days left until November 2nd, I've been working hard to win in Berkeley Heights, where I'm running for Township Council. My website is http://www.bhdems.com , so take a look if you want to learn more about me after reading this.
What is interesting here is that while Abate, a lifelong Democrat running as an independent, Green Party candidate Irwin Nack and at least one of the Republican candidates (Maura DeNicola) are in favor of strict pay-to-play reforms, the three Democratic incumbents didn't have much to say on the issue. What is more interesting is that the two "new" Republican Freeholders were pushing for pay-to-play reform over the past year - only to be rebuffed by many of the sitting Democratic Freeholders. So an issue that, in Abate's words, "the Republicans invented and the Democrats perfected", has become one that may flip the Bergen County Freeholders from a 7-0 Democratic domination to only two Democrats left after the election.
A video on the issue for Camille (disclaimer: I created the video) is below, with more commentary below the fold:
I love the "Are you a Jew?" question. Hilarious. Your Lesson #4 is excellent. I wish all candidates would do this, and your honesty got you a vote you deserved. - promoted by Rosi crossposted from DailyKos
Hi all,
A little over a month has passed since I last updated the blogosphere on how my campaign for Township Council (in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey) is progressing. You can read the previous updates here and here.
With a month and a day remaining before Election Day, I wanted to provide an update on the race, and offer some thoughts on what it's like to be a candidate.
Chris Christie's endorsement this week of Mike Castle in Delaware's Republican senatorial primary says a lot about the governor's carefully-navigated foray into national prominence.
Castle, perhaps representing the epitome of nonideological, pragmatist Repubilcan politics, is facing a lively primary challenge from the Tea Party-backed Christine O'Donnell. Though her campaign has been undisciplined and she comes off as rather dishonest, it's not hard to grok why even sane conservatives might prefer O'Donnell over Castle. From supporting cap-and-trade and TARP, to opposing the surge in Iraq, Castle could have done little more to enrage party purists over the course of his 18-year tenure in the House.
To give you an idea of the unkind sentiments Castle has evoked recently from conservatives, here's what RedState's Erick Erickson said this week: "I would rather be slowly run over by a road roller while listening to Janeane Garofalo dialogue from The Truth About Cats and Dogs than see Mike Castle in the Senate."
In an election year that is looking increasingly like a rare opportunity for Republicans to purge moderates from their ranks -- and nevertheless retake the House and Senate -- conservative activists have been handed a prime opportunity to send Castle home packing while still turning Delaware red.
