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Winner | Losers |
GEORGE NORCROSS | ARTHUR BARCLAY |
The South Jersey Democratic leader raises $1.5 million for a Super PAC at an event honoring the Senate President. | The Camden County Democrat resigns his Assembly seat after news broke that he had been arrested on domestic violence charges. |
RALPH CAPUTO | CHRIS CHRISTIE |
The Democratic Assemblyman from Essex County looks like he’s about to substantially enhance his retirement account. | The former governor of New Jersey has not yet captured the essence of Amtrak’s quiet car. |
DOUG STEINHARDT | NANCY PELOSI |
The Republican State Chairman is doing his job, beating up on the opposition party in a fiercely partisan manner — which didn’t happen for the eight years before he took office. He’s getting some notice as a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2021. | The House Minority Leader loses another New Jersey vote; this tine it’s Jeff Van Drew, the front-runner to flip Frank LoBiondo’s House seat from Red to Blue. Pelosi has already lost Bill Pascrell — and if she wins, Mikie Sherrill. |
ELTON ARMONDY | LILIANA DEAVILA-SILEBI |
The former aide to Assemblyman Jerry Green and ex-Frank Lautenberg intern launches his career as an elected official by winning a seat on the Plainfield City Council. | The Passaic County Superior Court judge, accused of “demonstrable and pervasive dishonesty during these ethics proceedings,” is suspended without pay as the proceedings continue. |
MATT FRIEDMAN | THE STAR-LEDGER |
A man in a movie theater notices what looks like a turtle sitting next to him. “Are you a turtle?” asked the man, surprised. “Yes.” “What are you doing at the movies?” The turtle replied, “Well, I liked the book.” | The state’s largest newspaper gets slammed for investigating a college student for doing college student things, just because the kid has a father who’s in politics. |
Undecided THE GOVERNOR & THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS |
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No deal was reached between Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, increasing the likelihood of a state government shutdown on July 1. 19 Democratic Senators and 46 Democrats in the State Assembly essentially voted against the Democratic governor and with the leadership. Murphy seems to be standing firm on his desire to avoid budget gimmicks, and seems willing to attack his fellow Democrats as the ones who enabled his predecessor. It’s a huge gamble for Murphy as he works to avoid an override and attempts to work out a deal. The challenge for Murphy is cutting a deal that doesn’t involve some compromise. Murphy, Sweeney and Coughlin still have nine days; they Winners & Losers is taking a wait and see attitude. |