WHO’S UP

NJ Democrats (Particularly those Democrats Running for Congressional Office)

A Monmouth University Poll this week presented a data-driven, poll-tested argument for the possibility of Republicans losing all of their congressional seats in New Jersey come November. Republicans, of course, quickly pointed out that polling infamously got it wrong in 2016, but President Donald Trump’s leadership continues to present real opportunity for Democrats, according to Poll Director Patrick Murray. A report issued by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) also demonstrated a stark fundraising contrast by the so-called Big-Six party committees. From Jan. 1st through March 1st of this year, Democrats (state committee, senate majority and assembly majority) raised $1.7 million, compared to $197,165 by the opposing GOP committees. At a Liberty House event on Thursday night, a PAC associated with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop raised $150,000 for CD11 (Mikie Sherrill) and CD7 (Tom Malinowski) candidates. Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports this and last week showed Democrats  – for the most part – dominating their rivals on the fundraising front. Significantly, incumbent U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) has $3.3 million cash on hand compared to Republican challenger Steve Lonegan’s $708,306. CD2 Democrat state Senator Jeff Van Drew has $456K compared to GOP frontrunner Hirsh Singh’s $82,555. In CD11, Sherrill has $1.7 million compared to $221,339 by Assemblyman Jay Webber. Malinowski has $740K in CD7, compared to $850K for U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7), but Malinowski continues to outraise the incumbent.  In CD3, Dem challenger Andy Kim is nearly neck in neck with U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3) in terms of fundraising.

Ras Baraka

Bigwigs led by Governor Phil Murphy turned out for a soiree in the Newark Mayor’s honor this past week, where they hauled in $30,000 for his cruise control May 8th election. Baraka also received the key of the city in Paterson at a second event swarmed by the likes of Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35) and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35).

Lenace Edwards

32BJ SEIU on Monday will go back to work with their new statewide political director, who comes to New Jersey from Maryland, where she served as political coordinator of that state’s 32BJ SEIU office.

Marshall Spevak

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo’s (D-2) chief of staff and vice chair of the Cherry Hill Democrats is heading to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to serve as the operation’s new deputy executive director.

WHO’S DOWN

NJ Republicans

A poll released this week by Monmouth University shows President Donald J. Trump – who has a 34% job approval rating in New Jersey – seriously hindering his party in the Garden State, the consequence in part of his federal budget and the elimination of SALT deductions. Republicans under the leadership of State Party Chairman Doug Steinhardt bravely tried to rally the party at a summit in Atlantic City last weekend, in part by keeping the focus on incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and Governor Phil Murphy’s $37.4 billion budget. But, according to the poll, they have significant ground to cover.

Alex Cruz

In last Sunday’s Paterson mayoral debate, Ward 1 Councilman Mike Jackson lit up Paterson Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Prez Alex Cruz with a renewed attack on his rival’s Achilles Heel: residency.

Robert Turkavage

As originally reported by Harry Hurley the CD2 GOP candidate “has been advised by the Cumberland County Clerk that his name will not be appearing on the Regular Republican Party line Primary Election Ballot. Turkavage was advised that he did not fill-out the required paperwork.”

Eric Richardson

The Division of Criminal Justice Bureau this week obtained an indictment of the New Jersey State Trooper who allegedly conducted improper traffic stops of two female drivers for the purpose of pressuring them to begin a personal relationship with him.

Sean Hannity

The Fox News “opinion host” failed to reveal that he sought legal advice from Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen even as he publicly inveighed against the federal investigation seizing documents from Cohen’s office related to an investigation of Trump.