New Jerseyans aren’t always civil, but it’s still possible for a liberal Democrat and a conservative Republican to have a rational and pleasant conversation about politics in the state. Dan Bryan is a former senior advisor to Gov. Phil Murphy and is now the owner of his own public affairs firm, and Alex Wilkes is an attorney and former executive director of America Rising PAC who advises Republican candidates in New Jersey and across the nation, including the New Jersey GOP. Dan and Alex are both experienced strategists who are currently in the room where high-level decisions are made. They will get together weekly with New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein to discuss politics and issues.
Since it’s August and things are supposed to be slow – and as you both know better than me, it hasn’t been slow at all – I thought we could use Stomping Grounds a little differently this week and look at some bigger-picture questions about New Jersey politics. So, I’ll start with something I’ve been meaning to ask for a while: since you’ve been involved in New Jersey, who is your personal “Greatest of All-Time?”
Dan Bryan: Though it’s a copout to pick the two principals I’ve worked for directly, I can’t ignore the fact that I’ve been blessed to work for elected officials like Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Governor Phil Murphy. Both have had incredible success against tall odds, and both accomplished things in office that many thought would be impossible. They are political giants in their own way, and both also happen to be better people than they are politicians. Either one of them could fit this bill.
In my time in New Jersey politics, few can compare to Cory Booker. Whether Mayor or Senator, he’s been the one New Jersey politician that has transcended state politics and remained broadly popular for the better part of two decades. Though he’s been a Senator since 2013, there’s no reason to believe he won’t one day ascend to a higher office some day. No one in my 15 years in New Jersey politics has made quite the same impact.
Alex Wilkes: My time here dates back to only about 6 years, so I’m going to go with a classic: Governor Tom Kean, Sr. Both in terms of short-term impact and long-term respect, they don’t make them like that anymore.
He ushered in a modern New Jersey that fully realized the state’s natural economic potential. He knew that good campaign organization mattered. He understood that politics was truly a game of addition.
He had a winning attitude – not just about New Jersey’s prospects, but also about those of the Republican Party. It was a different time, of course, but he had a leader’s mentality and a servant’s heart. The best!
And because it’s New Jersey, I’m compelled to ask this question: who is the single worst person you’ve witnessed?
Alex: The “leadership” of the NJEA. Without question.
Pandemic-related learning loss will go down as one of the worst epidemics of our time – one even deadlier to our children than coronavirus itself. Its devastating impact will hurt our children for far longer than all of us will be alive.
As Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia – citing the NJ Education Report – noted, despite a blizzard of spending, kids in the Newark school system were left to rot while bureaucrats gorged themselves with expensive trips to Hawaii and no-show consulting jobs.
It’s not an aberration. This is an organization (not individual, hard-working teachers) that routinely shows up every election year as Democrats’ top campaign benefactor in return for the pork they demand to the detriment of Garden State students. One hand washes the other.
Despite the profligate spending, only 29% of Newark students can read at grade level. While other states and European countries prioritized keeping their kids in school during the pandemic, the NJEA pushed for continued lockdowns, even into a second year of learning. To boot, they’ll deny underprivileged students a chance to lift themselves out of poverty with vouchers because competition threatens their own gravy train. I guess it’s hard for Sean Spiller to see the day-to-day impact of his own selfishness from the leafy enclaves of Montclair.
We live in a state where “the worst” undoubtedly outnumber “the best” in terms of public service, but when you bet against our kids’ future for your own self-gain? There is no bribe, sex scandal, or other loser byproduct of Trenton that could come even close.
Dan: This is the most boring answer, but it’s the only honest one: Donald Trump. He plunged our national politics into chaos, tried to overthrow the results of a presidential election, instigated the assault on our Capital building on January 6, and made racism and sexism mainstream again.
So let’s beat him in November and close the chapter on this dark era of American politics.
But to add in a Jersey angle, I’ll throw in those that knew better but supported and enabled him anyway. Looking at you, Jack Ciattarelli and Chris Christie.
Looking ahead, who do you see as the young rising stars in New Jersey politics? Who should we all keep an eye on?
Dan: A few come to mind, though I’m sure that I am missing so many:
Iris Delgado, Executive Director of DACC and the MCDO. Iris is well known for her steady hand guiding the Middlesex Democrats, but she showed her statewide chops last year as Executive Director of DACC. Against all odds in a midterm election, not only did Democrats in the Assembly hold their numbers, they gained seats. She won a Pollie award for her efforts.
Frances Patano, Deputy Campaign Manager for Andy Kim. After running communications for Andrew Zwicker’s successful reelect in 2023, Frances joined Andy Kim’s campaign for Senate as their grassroots organizer. Under her leadership, the campaign’s volunteers exploded in ranks and enthusiasm. She’s since been promoted to Deputy Campaign Manager. If it weren’t for her misguided zealotry for Philadelphia, Frances’s resume would be perfect.
Natalie Hamilton, Press Secretary for Governor Murphy. I cannot express how impressed I am that Natalie, only a few years out of college, has stepped into the role of Press Secretary and executed the job as well as she has. She gives the impression to all who deal with her of someone who has been doing the job for far longer than she has. I look forward to working for Natalie sometime soon.
Democrats: who am I missing? dan(at)bryansg.com
Alex: This is a tough one because if I inadvertently name someone as “up and coming,” who feels like they’ve already “arrived,” I’m going to be in trouble, right? Ok, here we go.
At the operations level, Luke Ferrante, Angelo Lamberto, and Josh Zoppina. We have a lot of young talent here, but I’ve had the opportunity to work personally with each of these guys, and there’s a reason campaigns scoop them up quickly. They put their heads down, work hard, and get the job done. What does Burlington put in the water, Chairman Earlen?
In terms of public office, I would keep an eye on Katie Cericola, a first-term Councilwoman in Waldwick. She is bright, energetic, and the future of our party. Another shout out I have to give is to Nick De Gregorio, a Marine veteran who scared Josh Gottheimer so much that he dumped six figures into a Republican primary. He will be on a ballot again – mark my words!
Republicans – send me shoutouts, too! alex[at]duxstrategies.com
This is my way of asking what election law is most broken: If you could issue one executive order limited to how elections are run in New Jersey, what would you choose?
Alex: I would close the loophole that allows super PACs to evade the same reporting requirements a board of education candidate needs to follow. Of course, that might be unfair because I heard Jersey Freedom’s counsel is a little busy. Sending out a BOLO for Giuseppe Costanzo’s greatest fan, Bill Tambussi!
Dan: We need a better and clearer method of replacing House members. Sadly, this came to light a few months ago upon the passing of Congressman Payne. With such a small majority in the House of Representatives, New Jersey scrambled to go through an elaborate process of concurrent primary, general, and special elections. It’s a mess.
This should be simple: let’s make the process the same as a Senate seat. Let the Governor appoint a replacement, ensuring New Jersey isn’t without proper representation in DC.