Phantom candidates bring spooky season to South Jersey

From: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook - Monday Oct 23,2023 10:57 am

Oct 23, 2023

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By Matt Friedman

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Good Monday morning!

You know it’s spooky season when the phantom candidates show up on the ballot.

Since late last week, David Wildstein has published several reports about a mysterious non-profit with a Queens address that’s sending mailers targeting conservative South Jersey voters seeking to move them away from Republican candidates and toward independent “conservative” candidates on the ballot.

The District 2 candidate promoted in a mailer said he wanted nothing to do with it and has dropped out to endorse Republican state Sen. Vince Polistina. But in District 4, where the flyers are seeking to hurt Republican nominee Chris Del Borrello, the mailers’ touted candidates, Giuseppe Costanzo and Maureen Duke-Penrose, remain official candidates, with Costanzo refusing to engage with reporters (including me) and Duke-Penrose, in a very awkward-sounding quote, saying retiring state Sen. Fred Madden (D-Gloucester) encouraged her to run.

Madden denies Duke-Penrose’s claim, but there’s another tie to South Jersey Democrats, who have been quiet on this. And this sure looks familiar, doesn’t it?

In 2019, “phantom candidates” — one of whom said he was encouraged to run by a member of the South Jersey Democratic machine — crowded the ballot to force actual progressive candidates challenging establishment Democrats into “ballot Siberia.”

In 2010, a fake “Tea Party” candidate sought to take votes from Republican Jon Runyan, who would ultimately oust freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. John Adler. Steve Ayscue, South Jersey Democrats’ main political consultant, was named in the press as being involved in the effort. He’s never actually denied it, instead deflecting by pointing to a technical FEC decision about whether the fake candidacy counted as in-kind contributions to the Adler campaign. I texted him yesterday to ask if he’s involved this time and he didn’t respond.

This is pretty obviously a dirty trick. The Republican candidates targeted have written to state and federal authorities calling for an investigation. Prosecutors had at least two other opportunities to investigate similar tricks and if they did we never heard about it. One likely problem is that it’s hard to prove a candidate’s intent, even if it’s obvious to you and me that they never actually planned to run a real campaign. Though in Florida someone’s being prosecuted for running a ghost candidate.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “For the past nearly three weeks, my number one priority has always been getting Congress moving again to do the work of the American people. With great respect, it has become evident that Chairman Jordan does not and will not have the votes to become speaker.” — U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who was one of dozens of Republicans to drop support for far-right Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan to become speaker Friday after voting for him twice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Eliana Pintor-Marin, Spencer Ross, Ken Kurson, Malia Rulon Herman.

WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

BURDURR — “On the ground in LD-3 with Burzichelli and Durr,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “Not surprisingly, abortion and porn have brought attention to this race, but it’s worth asking if voters truly care about stuff like that. Durr says he doesn’t think so. He wants to ignore 'typical politics' and instead concentrate on what he says are the important issues affecting families in the district. And that’s the 'Murphy agenda,' which he says is driving people and businesses out of New Jersey … Heather Simmons, an Assembly candidate on the Dems’ ticket, spoke about influence in Trenton, or rather, lack thereof. This is a recurring theme from Democrats. Here is their take: As veteran lawmakers, Sweeney and Burzichelli knew their way around the halls of power, and as such, got things done for south Jersey – money for roads, recreation, schools etc. This is not a throwaway line. South Jersey politicians have long complained about their region being overlooked. Simmons said there is now 'no seat' at the table for LD-3 concerns.”

POLL — “FDU poll: 73% of Dems support Fulop’s plan to use corporate tax to fund NJ Transit,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “73 percent or Democratic voters support Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s plan to use the New Jersey’s corporate business tax to fund NJ Transit, a new poll says, one of several components of his statewide transportation plan unveiled in August … This year, a temporary corporate tax surcharge of 2.5 percent on profits over $1 million, which had been in place since 2020, was allowed to lapse. The tax surcharge brought in more than half a billion dollars per year, and part of Fulop’s transportation plan, his first as a declared gubernatorial candidate, proposes to restore the surcharge, and earmark the revenue for NJ Transit. This proposal has 54 percent approval overall among the 813 New Jerseyans surveyed, with independents giving 52 percent approval and Republicans just 29 percent.”

—“Atlantic City Expressway to begin removing all toll barriers”

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Biden's Beltway

HEIR JORDAN — “After voting for Jim Jordan twice, N.J. Republican Kean changes mind on failed 3rd ballot,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “As the tide continued to turn against Jim Jordan’s lost fight for the House speakership on Friday, among the former supporters who switched their votes for the third and final round was New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr. Kean — whose 7th district went for President Joe Biden last year and is considered vulnerable when he campaigns for re-election next year — had twice voted for Jordan, the Ohio conservative hardliner who is a staunch ally of Donald Trump. Kean voted without comment … ‘We as a nation are facing great threats at home and abroad. American soldiers are under attack. Our fellow countrymen are held hostage by terrorists. War rages in Europe and Israel. This is a time for wisdom and service. The People’s House must govern,’ said Kean. ‘For the past nearly three weeks, my number one priority has always been getting Congress moving again to do the work of the American people. With great respect, it has become evident that Chairman Jordan does not and will not have the votes to become speaker.’”

TOO MANY TOMS IN ONE COLUMN — “To stop Tom Kean Jr., Malinowski has to jump back in,” by The Star-Ledger’s Tom Moran: “Rep. Jim Jordan voted against sending help to New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy. He’s never passed a bill in his 16 years in Congress, and he opposes every compromise. Last week, a group of wrestlers on the college team he coached testified that Jordan did nothing to help when they told him about the predator who sexually abused dozens of their teammates. But his most dastardly moment came when he tried to block the peaceful transfer of power and keep Donald Trump in the White House, against the will of the American voters. If he gets the gavel as Speaker, he’ll be in a stronger position to try again after the 2024 election. Look up the word 'fascist' in the dictionary, and Jordan checks almost every box. This is the man that Rep. Tom Kean Jr. voted to make Speaker of the House, third in line to the presidency … So, it’s time for Democrats to take a fresh look at this race, and for former Congressman Tom Malinowski to rethink his decision to sit on the sidelines. He’s the strongest potential candidate by far, having served two terms in this district before losing a squeaker to Kean in 2022. Malinowski is reluctant, but he’s not ruling it out. My guess is that if Democrats rallied behind him, and promised to help, he might jump back in.”

I THOUGHT ‘JEWBELONG’ WAS A PAT BENATAR SONG — "Anti-Hamas billboard on N.J. highway taken down after multiple complaints to police,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “An inflammatory billboard on Route 80 in Bergen County that read, 'Hamas would chop your head off too,' has been taken down after police received dozens of complaints. 'This anti-Hamas billboard on Route 80 in Bogota borough resulted in more than 100 calls to police before it was taken down by organizers,' Shlomo Schorr said on X. Schorr, who is associate director of the New Jersey office of Agudath Israel of America, did not immediately return a call on Friday seeking comment. The sign was reportedly erected by JewBelong, an organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism.”

— “In this Palestinian community, frustration grows as politicians ignore calls for ceasefire,” by The Record’s Hannan Adely: “Nearly two weeks into the war between Israel and Hamas, only one member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation has signed on to a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman … co-sponsored the Ceasefire Now resolution that calls for immediate de-escalation, a cease-fire and delivery of humanitarian assistance. Local leaders say they are ‘deeply disappointed’ that Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat whose North Jersey district includes one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, was not among the signees. Muslim and Arab advocates gathered outside Pascrell’s Paterson office Thursday… An emailed reply from Pascrell's office did not address calls for a ceasefire, but noted that the congressman supports President Biden’s $100 million for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank. ‘The congressman is praying for peace, as well as the civilian lives lost and injured, including at least 32 American citizens killed and 12 Americans unaccounted for that might be in Hamas’ hands,’ a spokesperson replied.”

—“NJ members of Congress balk at signing Gaza ceasefire resolution”

—“In a Palestinian enclave in New Jersey, grief pervades everything”

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LOCAL

FLEMINGTON — “Flemington councilman charged with drug dealing stole cash from Democrats, prosecutor says,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: "A Flemington borough councilman, already facing drug charges, has now also been charged with stealing money from his political party. Malik D. Johnston, also known as Pippin J. Folk, 47, was charged with third-degree theft for allegedly withdrawing $1,000 from the bank account of the Flemington Democratic Club earlier this year, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said.”

WHO’S BAD? — “Firm gets $2.6M from Atlantic City Housing Authority, but agency says some work ‘bad’, by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post and Alison Burdo: “A contractor received almost $2.6 million for repairs it made earlier this year at multiple public housing communities in the city, only for its service on underground gas lines at Stanley Holmes Village to be deemed 'bad work' with 'massive leaks and potential system failures' by the Atlantic City Housing Authority. Representatives of the company, EJustice Mechanical LLC, however, say they are being wrongfully blamed by the authority, which is operating under federal oversight and facing a lawsuit from nearly 90 Stanley Holmes tenants over living conditions. EJustice Mechanical had registered as a business in New Jersey just weeks before being hired by the authority in February on an emergency basis without competitive bidding.”

ENEMIES PARK — “Palisades Park politics, conflicts hurt police sergeant's career, says lawsuit,” by The Record’s Kristie Cattafi: “In his latest lawsuit, a police sergeant says political retribution for failing to support the mayor and internal conflicts with his mother, who is a councilwoman, have kept him from being promoted. Sgt. Marc Messing, who has sued and settled with the municipality once before, says the borough, Mayor Paul Kim and Councilman Suk Min have been abusive and allowed political interference to hurt his career … Messing has been an officer in the borough Police Department since 2001. He is the son of Councilwoman Cynthia Pirrera … The lawsuit also alleges that even though the mayor and council control the Police Department, they have improperly requested political support on several occasions.”

—“[Rockaway] police department won’t promote cop who reported broken radios, lawsuit says”

CHANGES TO THE SUPREME SOVIET — “Roger Terry appointed to Montclair Town Council seat vacated by Peter Yacobellis,” by The Record’s Nicolas Katzban: “Montclair’s council appointed onetime Councilor At-Large Roger Terry to replace Peter Yacobellis, who vacated his at-large seat on the fractured dais last week in a sudden move he said was needed to protect his emotional health. Mayor Sean Spiller presented Terry as the natural choice, having earned 22% of all votes for the seat in 2020, placing him just behind Yacobellis, according to The County Essex Clerk's Office.”

—“Trenton Police is only the 80th U.S. law enforcement agency to face ‘pattern of practice investigation’”

—“[Hillsborough] tries to block 2 proposed warehouses by buying up open space”

—“Tenants score major victory after Jersey City’s Portside Towers deemed to be under rent control”

—“$800-a-day interim superintendent hired to lead Ramapo Indian Hills school district “

—“Boggiano’s affordable housing proposal delayed as city ponders developer incentives”

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EVERYTHING ELSE

ARE THERE ANY OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE FORCED VOLUNTEER LABOR? — “A $96 million Hindu temple opens amid accusations of forced labor,” by The New York Times’ Sarah Pulliam Bailey: “The recent opening of Akshardham Mahamandir in Robbinsville, N.J., was a historic moment for Hindus in New Jersey and beyond. The temple, about 15 years in the making, is believed to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere and is expected to draw religious pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. It has also been clouded in controversy. Federal law enforcement agents raided the temple construction site in 2021 after workers accused the builders, a prominent Hindu sect with ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and his ruling party, of forced labor, low wages and poor working conditions. Their lawyers said workers who were Dalit, the lowest rung in India’s caste system, were specifically targeted. A federal criminal investigation is ongoing, as is a wage claim lawsuit. A spokesman for the temple, Ronak Patel, said the workers came to the United States as volunteers, not as employees, and that volunteerism is a core part of their faith tradition. He said that temple officials were cooperating with the investigation. In the meantime, the temple, which sits on 180 acres and includes 10,000 statues and spires nearly 200 feet tall, is attracting visitors by the thousands, some there to view the elaborate architecture and design, others for a more spiritual experience.”

A LATE BUT FITTING TRIBUTE TO DAVID SAMSON’S CAREER — “Iconic B.L. England smokestack in South Jersey to be imploded next week,” by 6ABC — ”The Jersey shore skyline will soon look a lot different when you travel through Upper Township, New Jersey. On Thursday, the final and most notable structure of the former B.L. England Generating Station in Beesley's Point is being imploded. The iconic smokestack will come down at 10 a.m.”

—“NJ teen Edan Alexander serving in IDF missing in Israel-Hamas war, Gov. Murphy says”

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