Essex Archives - New Jersey Globe

Akeem Cunningham named executive director of Essex Dems

June 19, 2026 11:19 amJune 19, 2026 11:22 am

Akeem Cunningham, a rising star in New Jersey Democratic politics, has been named executive director of the Essex County Democratic Committee under the veteran county chairman, LeRoy Jones, Jr. His appointment brings his transformation from insurgent to organization insider full...

GOP legislators want law enforcement probe of Newark special retirement benefit deal

June 18, 2026 11:04 amJune 18, 2026 9:31 pm

Republican lawmakers have asked Attorney General Jennifer Davenport to investigate what they describe as an attempt by the Newark City Council to award lifetime taxpayer-funded health benefits to an outgoing councilman through a last-minute “rule relaxation” that they say may...

LeRoy Jones re-elected to lead Essex Dems; Craig Guy gets second term as Hudson Democratic Chairman

June 17, 2026 8:37 pmJune 17, 2026 8:41 pm

LeRoy Jones, Jr. was re-elected to another term as Essex County Democratic Chairman without opposition tonight, and Craig Guy was unopposed in his bid for three more years as the Hudson County Democratic Chairman on Monday. Jones, a former assemblyman...

Newark drops bid to give outgoing councilman health benefits for life

June 17, 2026 2:13 pm

The Newark City Council today pulled a resolution that would give outgoing Councilman Carlos Gonzalez lifetime taxpayer-funded health benefits and returned it to Mayor Ras Baraka. The move came hours after the New Jersey Globe first reported a bid to...

Moody’s upgrades Mercer County credit rating, cites Benson administration’s fiscal management

June 17, 2026 11:00 amJune 17, 2026 11:00 am

Mercer County received a significant financial boost this month after credit rating agency Moody’s upgraded the county’s credit rating from Aa2 to Aa1, citing improvements in financial management, growing reserves, and a strong economic development agenda under the County Executive...

GOP lawmakers seek state probe of Newark health benefits gift for outgoing councilman

June 17, 2026 10:28 am

Four Republicans on the Assembly Budget Committee want a state agency to investigate and block a Newark City Council resolution that would grant taxpayer-funded lifetime health benefits as a gift to Carlos M. Gonzalez, who leaves office on June 30...

Despite claims of financial troubles, Newark wants to gift outgoing councilman lifetime health benefits

June 16, 2026 9:03 pmJune 17, 2026 12:49 pm

The Newark City Council wants to reward retiring City Councilman Carlos Gonzalez with lifetime health benefits in appreciation for his “long and faithful service,” at the same time the city is pushing to keep – and increase — its $110...