Philadelphia Inquirer endorses Fulop and Bramnick

The Philadelphia Inquirer has endorsed Democrat Steve Fulop and Republican Jon Bramnick in the upcoming gubernatorial primaries – the first newspaper endorsements in the governor’s race, and one of the few newspapers with a noteworthy circulation footprint in New Jersey.

Among the six Democratic candidates, the Inquirer called Fulop the “most prepared for the challenge, saying that as the three-term mayor of Jersey City, he’s “embraced the kind of innovative policy solutions that often spook other mayors, and he implemented them effectively — often in the face of strong opposition.”

“In the often go-along-to-get-along world of New Jersey politics, that’s a refreshing quality,” the editorial board stated.

While the Inquirer praises the other Democratic contenders, they wrote that “for Garden State Republicans, the choice is clear … “(Bramnick) is their best option” and called him “a refreshing throwback to more pragmatic GOP leaders like former Gov. Tom Kean.”

“Bramnick has a history of working across the aisle, which is an essential quality in any Republican state executive given the legislature’s strong Democratic majorities,” the editorial board noted.

The Inquirer praised Fulop’s ability to grow Jersey City’s population by “unlocking housing production – “Jersey City built nearly as many new units as Manhattan last year” – his opposition to the Turnpike widening project, and his willingness to stand up to party noses.

The newspaper editorial board commended Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for “revitalizing the state’s biggest city and his focus on ending racial inequality,” New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller for “a welcome focus on education and childcare,” and former Senate President Steve Sweeney – the only candidate from governor from South Jersey – for knowing “his way around the sausage factory that is the State House in Trenton.”  They said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) “provides a strong appeal for moderates, although his crusade against New York’s congestion toll, a policy he would have no control over as governor, is questionable.”  The Inquirer said Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) has “proved herself an effective advocate in Congress, but lacks Jersey-specific executive experience.”

The Inquirer also complimented term-limited two-term Gov. Phil Murphy for legalizing marijuana, increasing the state’s minimum wage, and doubling family leave benefits.