Latest From SSW:

New Jersey operative on trial in Massachusetts

New Jereyan Larry Cirignano, a former New Jersey political operative who has run Catholic Citizenship, an issue advocacy group that opposes Abortion and gay marriage, is currently on trial in Massachusetts. He is accused of assaulting a protester at a Worcester, MA rally against civil unions last December. Cirignano, who was an aide to the late Congressman Dean Gallo (a pro-choice Republican), allegedly shoved the protester, Sarah Loy, and knocked her to the ground. Yesterday, a state Judge dropped a civil right charge against Cirignano.

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Steele in court today

Former Assemblyman Alfred Steele will appear in court todayFormer Assemblyman Alfred Steele will appear in court todayRev. Alfred Steele, who resigned from the State Assembly in September following his arrest on bribery charges, is expected to appear in federal court today. U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie says he will offer comment after the 3PM hearing, and there is some chatter that Steele could enter a guilty plea as early as today.

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Press of Atlantic City endorses Polistina and Spellman for Assembly

The Press of Atlantic City has endorsed Republican Vince Polistina and Democrat Blondell Spellman for State Assembly in the hotly contested second district race. "Polistina is a fresh, welcome newcomer to the political scene whom we can endorse without reservation. With reservation ... Blondell Spellman is our second choice," the editorial said. READ

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Today's news from PoliticsNJ.com

Smith undaunted by his 15th opponent

Very quietly, another challenger has emerged with the intention of doing what Democrats have found nearly impossible: ousting 14-term U.S. Rep. Chris Smith.

Josh Zeitz, 33, just got back to his hometown of Bordentown a few months ago from a four year teaching stint at Cambridge University in England. But he has already raised $43,000 under the radar, and hopes to get $100,000 before the year is up.

 

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Side by side across the divide

Trading body blows three weeks out

Republicans are hammering away on taxes today and the "Democrat-run" Legislature, while Democrats are trotting out their favorite election year punching bag: President George W. Bush and his veto of the state Children’s Health Insurance Program, which the U.S. House upheld today, by a vote of 273-156.

Republicans used the results of a new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll that shows 49% of all New Jersey residents would leave the state given the choice, to dispatch Assemblyman Richard Merkt.

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12th district money scrum leaves GOP in neighboring Assembly races feeling charged up

Yes, Monmouth County has traditionally been Republican.
But it’s been a fickle place in recent times, which went for Al Gore for President in 2000 the same year it gave Jon Corzine a thumbs down in his U.S. Senate bid, where the state’s second biggest paper, the Asbury Park Press, turned in disgruntlement from the two major parties in the last gubernatorial election and endorsed the Green Party candidate.

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The Back Room

Wake-Up Call

Morning News Digest - May 22, 2013

Shavar Jeffries launches 2014 mayoral campaign in Newark NEWARK - The Boys and Girls clubs hosted the professionally staged announcement for Shavar Jeffries’ Mayoral candidacy announcement. Over 400 supporters packed the gym, some of whom had already committed to the candidate, while others were still undecided. Max Pizarro-PolitickerNJ.com http://www.politickernj.com/65777/shavar-jeffries-launches-2014-campaign-mayor-son-newark...

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Op-Ed

Time to have the talk we hope to avoid but can’t

By Tedford J. Taylor No topic is a less likely conversation-starter than our eventual deaths. Still, there is a lot to talk about. When polled, about 90 percent of people presented with end-of-life scenarios prefer the prospect of dying at home with... Read More >

Contributors

NEWARK - The Boys and Girls clubs hosted the professionally staged announcement for Shavar Jeffries’ Mayoral candidacy announcement. Over 400 supporters packed the gym, some of whom had already... more »
Chris Christie's recent "Lap Band" weight-loss surgery scoop remains the talk of the nation.... more »
(5-15-2013) Interpretation of Election Laws Should Further Aims of Democracy - Five Hoboken residents, obviously orchestrated, filed a lawsuit raising concerns about Carmelo Garcia’s eligibility... more »
Au Revoir, PolitickerNJ.com         Recently, I have been writing fewer columns as a contributing columnist for PolitickerNJ.com.  The reason:  I am busily involved with writing a new book.  The... more »

Quote of the Day

Quote of the day

"I'm beyond disgusted by his choice." - Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly on Paterson Councilman Anthony Davis' decision to back Gov. Chris Christie.

- PolitickerNJ.com

Poll

What do you think of Christie walking into Paterson and landing the endorsement of Councilman Anthony Davis?
A. It just shows the governor's capacity to work with people. By the way, this election's over.
33%
B. BIG mistake. Christie just became the Steve Rothman of 2013. Why go into that hornet's nest??
33%
C. Meaningless theatrics.
33%

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