That wasn't a transparent election

From: POLITICO New Jersey Playbook - Friday Nov 10,2023 11:57 am

Nov 10, 2023

Presented by AARP

Good Friday morning!

We’re a few days out from the election, so I think it's fair to ask this question: Did the Elections Transparency Act increase, uh, elections transparency?

“I think that the bill that we passed was an excellent bill because we saw more transparency than we ever saw before in terms of fundraising,” Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) said.

My thoughts: No. This was also one of the elections that featured some of the most shady campaign finance practices I can remember.

In minor ways, you could argue there was some increase in transparency. For instance, campaigns are now required to report their major late contributions and expenses every 24 hours during a campaign’s final week instead of every 48 hours. That's balanced out by only requiring them every 72 hours for the short period before that.

But we had the secretive “Jersey Freedom” group thumbing its nose at disclosure, reporting only debt to a printer ahead of the election. Another new super PAC, Bright Future Forward, only began revealing its donors and spending 11 days ahead of the election. Yet another super PAC called “Patriot Progress” disclosed no donors because the Elections Transparency Act doesn’t require such groups to list anyone who gave $7,500 or less. Those are just the examples I've covered. There are more out there.

Also, super PACs weren’t required to file 48-hour reports to disclose their late activities, as they had been in the past.

A big reason proponents cited for the need to double or even triple campaign contribution limits for political candidates and parties was to cut back on independent spending, channeling the money back to more traditional campaigns. Did it work? Not so far, at least.

The jury’s still somewhat out. Let’s see if, once 20-day post-election reports are released, we really get any insight into who funded Jersey Freedom.

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

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Unless you have something that’s so obviously corrupt, you know, probable cause along the lines of, let’s say, $480,000 in cash and $150,000 in gold bars in your home as a United States senator … Unless you got something like that, focus on the policy part of governing.” — Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who believes a lot of prosecutions are politically motivated, apparently with the exception of Menendez’s.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Joe Vitale, Josh Margolin, Terrance Bankston, Harris Laufer, Ellen Simon. Saturday for Barry Kushnir, Brian Nelson, Mike Strada. Sunday for Mikhail Varshavski.

WHERE'S MURPHY — San Diego to watch his soccer team in the NWSL championship. He's back in New Jersey Sunday.

WHAT TRENTON MADE

DEMS RAN ON AFFORTION — Affordability focus helped Dems on election night, legislative leaders say, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in their election post-mortem credited their party platform on gun safety and abortion rights, but said that affordability was their winning issue … “The Democratic Party in New Jersey is focused on affordability and taxes as their number one, number two and number three issue,” Scutari, a Democrat from Union County, said at a Statehouse press conference. “Unfortunately the other side has failed to see that it's the most important issue year after year.” “We've gone all over the state talking about property tax relief, prescription drug assistance and things that matter to the people of New Jersey,” Coughlin, Democrat of Middlesex County, said. “In 2021, voters sent us a message. In 2023 they overwhelmingly embraced our response to that.”

—“Can winning NJ Democrats offer some guidance to the Biden campaign? They should,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “[A]s the dust settled from the Democrats' surprising win Tuesday, in which the party held the line in the state Senate and gained five seats in the Assembly, it was clear that the unpopular Biden didn’t cast a shadow on the Democratic Party’s campaign. The race did not become a referendum on Biden. He was a non-factor. If anything, the Democratic campaign could also be viewed as an unsolicited suggestion box for the Biden campaign in its 2024 effort. The legislative Democrats, for example, refused to get drawn into a culture-war fight with their Republicans rivals, who campaigned on an array of culture-wedge issues in hopes of ginning up turnout in the party base. The GOP also hoped to scare some nervous Democratic and independent voters into the Republican column. The Democrats didn’t take the bait, choosing instead to stay focused on themes of affordability and GOP threats to reproductive rights and abortion. They sent an all-points bulletin to voters, especially suburban women, that the Republicans would take away long-held abortion rights if they reclaimed power in Trenton.”

LAME DUCK — “Elections over, New Jersey Democrats plan lame-duck agenda,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “Democratic legislative leaders repeatedly declined to provide details on their lame-duck agenda priorities during a Statehouse press conference Thursday, though they suggested changes to public records, liquor license, and campaign finance law could get some consideration … During a press conference at the Statehouse Thursday morning, Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) declined to name priorities, both their own and ones they would pursue on behalf of their members … Other, more controversial measures are also expected to see votes during lame duck, and those could include competing proposals to tweak the Open Public Records Act. The contours of those changes remain blurry.”

DIESEL VIN NUMBERS — “NJ Transit buys 750 diesel buses for $685M. Is the future all electric?” by The Record’s Colleen Wilson: “NJ Transit’s board approved the purchase of what could be its last group of diesel buses. About $685 million was greenlighted to buy 550 40-foot buses and 200 60-foot articulated buses, which are the vehicles that bend in the middle. Agency officials anticipate this contract could be the ‘last diesel bus procurement contingent on the successful advancement of the bus modernization program.’ The contract includes an option to purchase another 750 40-foot transit buses and 550 articulated buses. NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett said 'you get those options so you can lock in a price.' 'Realistically, at this point, we don’t see using those, but you never know what happens down the line so it’s good to have those options,’ Corbett said.”

—“Top Democrats to keep leading N.J. Senate, Assembly after big Election Day wins”

—“NJ Transit to gain revenue from new housing at Metropark station. A recipe for elsewhere?”

—“Murphy to nominate eight new judges, including Barbara Kalik’s son”

—“Murphy announces $52M for preschool expansion at NJEA convention in Atlantic City”

—"Democrat Andrea Katz pulls ahead by 27 votes for LD8 Assembly seat”

A message from AARP:

New Jersey’s older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes which costs taxpayers more money. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495.

Biden's Beltway

NORCROSS IS A ROYALIST —“Norcross suggests South Jersey support for Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “In a closed-door lunch with current and future Democratic legislators, county chairs, and party insiders from South Jersey on Wednesday, Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross II indicated that he is likely to support First Lady Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate, according to two attendees who spoke on the condition of anonymity.”

THE VART OF POLITICS — “Vartan files to run for 7th Congressional District,” by New Jersey Globe’s Joey Fox: “Summit Council President Greg Vartan has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, a Republican-held district that ranks among the nation’s most competitive … Vartan’s entry to the race would put him on a collision course with two other Democratic candidates, former New Jersey Working Families Party director Sue Altman and former U.S. State Department official Jason Blazakis. Both have been running for the 7th district Democratic nomination for months, and both have already accumulated hundreds of thousands of dollars. That means Vartan will have quite a bit of catching up to do in the next several months before county convention season begins in February.” ‘

—“Codey backs Tammy Murphy for United States Senate”

—“Tammy Murphy registers website, social media account as she prepares to launch U.S. Senate bid next week”

—“This veteran was accused of spying at Guantanamo. Now he advocates for civil rights”

A message from AARP:

LOCAL

THE JERRY BROWN OF NEW JERSEY — Former New Jersey governor McGreevey seeks second chance in launching run for mayor, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey formally reentered politics on Thursday, seeking to become mayor of the state’s second largest city two decades after he resigned as governor. In 2004, McGreevey stepped down from the state’s highest office amid a sex scandal that captivated the nation. In the years since, he seemed to swear off his old life, at one point calling campaigning his addiction as he sought to become a priest and worked on programs to help prisoners reenter society. He launched his campaign at a Dominican restaurant on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive run by someone who went through his prisoner reentry program. There, McGreevey talked about the city’s problems and about redemption and second chances. “This election is not about yesterday, it’s about our tomorrows,” he said. “And candidly, I have made mistakes in my own life, for which I have apologized and own. But ask the families for whom I've served, ask those with whom I've worked in state government and local government and in reentry — and they will frankly say that Jim McGreevey works long and hard to bring needed change.”

DO NOT READ WHILE EATING — “N.J. school custodian claimed he tainted cafeteria food to make kids sick, prosecutors say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Gray: “A Cumberland County school custodian accused of contaminating food and cafeteria utensils with urine, feces and bleach claimed he did it to make children sick and said the acts sexually aroused him, prosecutors stated in court Thursday … During Thursday’s hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Lindsey Seidel offered details from Impellizzeri’s posts, in which he talked about his alleged acts in a group that has about a thousand members. While boasting about spraying bleach on food, Impellizzeri allegedly wrote, ‘The more eviler and f—— up the better,’ and also stated, ‘Honestly, I’ve put bleach in their food before. They were fine. Just a little sick. Oh well, not my problem,’ according to Seidel."

THE ZWICKER MAN — “Voters give wins to both sides of school wars, but Dems are happy,” by NJ Advance Media’s Tina Kelley and Brent Johnson: “In reviewing the results of school board elections statewide in New Jersey on Tuesday, politicians and board watchers are counting their wins and losses and, in general, noting the impact of the parental rights message was not as powerful as some had predicted. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, a Democrat who launched Districts for Democracy, a political action committee to counter efforts by conservative groups, tweeted that two-thirds of the candidates the group supported in the most contested races won … Josh Aikens, president of Arise NJ, a conservative-leaning nonprofit that works with board members, said while Democrats scored big victories over Republicans in the state Legislature, parents’ rights candidates won in Wayne, Colts Neck, Hanover, Frankford, Vernon, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Washington Township in Warren County, Flemington-Raritan, and Long Valley … State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-Middlesex, who won a competitive race infused with school-related campaigning, accused Republicans of ‘fanning the flames of chaos.’ ‘I had Republicans tell me they were so turned off by it, they were going to vote for me,’ Zwicker said. ‘I think Republicans have taken this issue way too far. Parents are utterly tired of the chaos.’ Zwicker said his first priority in the Legislature’s lame-duck session is a bill preventing book banning in schools, and he is working on legislative protections for transgender students as well.”

FAUST WINS THANKS TO SUPER PACT —”Democrats sweep in Eatontown, will prep for Monmouth Mall, Fort Monmouth changes” by Asbury Park Press. The Democrats appear to have swept the Borough Council elections, picking up three seats and looking poised to take an overwhelming majority control of the council. The results still need to be certified by the Monmouth County Board of Elections, which typically takes a week following the general election. But as of the close of election night, Candice M. Faust led all candidates with 1,557 votes and incumbent Councilwoman Danielle M. Jones was second with 1,514 votes in the race for a pair of three-year council seats. They look to have defeated the GOP candidates, incumbent Councilman Mark Regan Jr., who had 1,271 votes and Maria Grazia Escalante, who picked up 1,266 votes.”

0.05 MASTROS — “Atlantic City veteran, father of five, faces $442,000 water bill,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Something happened to Michael Camarota's water meter after Superstorm Sandy damaged his Fairmount Avenue home in 2012 and he had the house raised with a federal grant in 2016. The Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority meter was disconnected to lift the house, and was supposed to be reinstalled under a manhole cover in the sidewalk. Recently, however, the authority found there was a 'jumper' there, which allowed water to flow but no charges to be generated. The ACMUA has decided Camarota tampered with the meter and put a lien on his property for $442,000 — which represents a fine of $200 a day for six years … Camarota, 52, bought the property in 1992 after getting out of the military. He said the lack of meter must have been an oversight by authority workers when they hooked his house up to the utility again in 2017.”

—“Ex-[Glassboro] police chief charged with choking, threatening woman avoids jail time under plea deal”

—“[Sayreville] police department discriminated against me because I’m a woman, officer says in suit”

—“[Monroe] synagogue hit with anti-Semitic graffiti, mayor says”

—“'It's just outrageous': Edison sues fired employee who alleged hostile work environment”

—“Black [Maplewood] police officer disciplined for hairstyle accuses boss of hair discrimination in lawsuit”

—“Wayne council race 'isn't over': Two candidates on knife edge as ballots come in”

—“Split of borough administrator, clerk position at center of lawsuit in this Bergen town”

—“Palisades Park administrator placed on leave responds with a lawsuit”

—“Two new faces join Palisades Park council; power remains with Democrats”

A message from AARP:

New Jersey’s long-term care system is broken.

Older residents deserve quality, affordable options for care services at home—where they want to be. But too many can’t afford to pay out of pocket for this care, and they’re left waiting for Medicaid approval for services to start. While they wait, seniors who are likely to qualify for Medicaid are often forced out of their homes and into nursing homes, which costs taxpayers more money.

AARP is fighting for legislation that allows residents who are likely to qualify for Medicaid to begin receiving services in their homes when they need them. It’s time to transform our long-term care system and make it easier for New Jerseyans to age in their homes and communities. Seniors who need care should not be forced from their homes because Medicaid approval takes too long. Tell Governor Murphy: Seniors can’t afford to wait. Support A4049/S3495.

EVERYTHING ELSE

R.I.P. — “College student from N.J. critically injured in Nashville shooting has died, cops say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jeff Goldman: “An 18-year-old college student from New Jersey critically injured in a shooting on Tuesday in Nashville has died, authorities said Thursday morning. ‘Sadly, Jillian Ludwig passed away during the night,’ Nashville Metro Police said Thursday morning. Ludwig, a freshman at Belmont University who graduated from Wall High School in June, was on the track in Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park when she was struck by a shot fired from a public housing complex across the street, officials said.”

—“Man’s death in N.J. State Police bathroom under investigation, Attorney General’s office says”

—“Wheelchair users in NJ seek relief from red tape as repairs are delayed for months”

—“Rutgers student is beating the odds after foster care placement since 3”

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