Campaign News Briefs

Malinowski: Darcy Draeger, a full-time farmer and part-time activist, will serve as executive director of Districts for Democracy, a group founded by former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) to combat bids by conservative groups to take control of local school boards.

24th District:  “If Jason Sarnoski believed his own BS, he’d quit his job at JCP&L over their adherence to ESG policies at First Energy,” said his GOP primary opponents in the race for State Assembly, Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort.  Save Jersey has reported that Warren County is considering a resolution opposing environmental, social, and corporate governance factors and that Sarnoski, a county commissioner, works for a company that has embraced ESG policies.

28th Legislative district: Deputy Essex County Clerk Garnet Hall has filed her Assembly candidacy with the Election Law Enforcement Commission. Hall is the likely Democratic candidate in the 28th district to succeed Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-South Orange), a longtime legislator retiring this year.

5th Congressional District:  Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) will open a satellite district office in Fort Lee on Friday.  Fort Lee was moved into New Jersey’s 5th district after decades in the 9th district.

Bergen County: Ramon Hache, who resigned as a Bergen County Commissioner two weeks ago, is the new CEO of the Ridgewood YMCA.   Hache is a former Ridgewood mayor; the YMCA declined to disclose his salary for the non-profit, but his predecessor, Ernest Lamour, earned $193,802 in 2021.  Bergen County Democrats are backing Bergenfield Councilman Rafael Marte for Hache’s county commissioner seat.

Mercer County: Karen Bellamy Lewis, a union representative for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Ewing Democratic county committeewoman and officer of the Greater Zion AME Church, says she’s backing Assemblyman Dan Benson for county executive.  “Not only does Dan care deeply about our issues, but his responsiveness as a public servant is second to none,” she said.  “If you call Dan with a problem, he will either answer immediately or help find someone who can solve the issue.”

Governor’s Race: The Newark City Council passed a resolution supporting a nationwide Medicare for All program on Wednesday, something that could help Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a possible 2025 gubernatorial candidate, appeal to progressive primary voters. “Medicare for All represents a conscientious policy that is not based on zip code, class, economic status, etc. but is designed for everyone,” said Baraka. The push for the resolution came from Our Revolution New Jersey.

Public Affairs: former New York Gov. David Paterson has joined the advisory board of MAD Global, the relatively new firm headed by Mike DuHaime and Laura Matos.  The Governor’s expertise and gravitas will be a tremendous asset to MAD Global and our clients and a perfect complement to the wide-ranging bi-partisan public affairs services we already provide,” Matos said.