George Norcross

There is little doubt that over the last thirty years, George Norcross has become enormously successful, powerful and wealthy -- as a businessman and as the South Jersey Democratic boss.  Yesterday, Commerce Bank announced that they had been sold to a Toronto for $8.5 billion -- and that they are selling their politically powerful insurance business to Norcross in a private transaction.  Some Norcross trivia: he started out as a staffer, working in the district legislative office of Ernest Schuck, a Democratic Assemblyman from Camden in the late 1970's.  Norcross worked on Schuck's 1977 re-election campaign when he beat 25-year-old law student George Geist, and then played a major role in a $5 million campaign to oust Geist from the State Senate 26 years later.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the politically influential Commerce Bank, where South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross is a top executive and major shareholder, has been sold.

Sure, Hillary has a huge advantage in New Jersey, and she already has the backing of the state’s two most powerful elected leaders. But nothing’s certain, and if any other candidates hope to pull an upset, they’ll likely need the backing of these important Democrats who have not yet picked a horse.

This early in the race, the most important endorsements will come from political figures who can create buzz and raise money, according to Ingrid Reed Director of the New Jersey Project at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Closer to February, politicians with more grass roots support will have a greater impact.

“The purpose of these early endorsements… basically is to boost the person’s candidacy among leadership,” said Reed. “Because they’re the people who are paying attention.”

Neil Oxman, a media consultant whose clients include South Jersey Democrats and the Bergen County Democratic Organization, scored a huge upset in yesterday's Democratic primary for Mayor of Philadelphia. Michael Nutter beat businessman Thomas Knox, who spent nealry $10 million of his own money, and Congressmen Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah.  Oxman has been the principal media consultant for the South Jersey Democrats since 1989.

ATLANTIC GOP CHAIR DAVIS HITS WHELAN OVER CAMDEN CONTRIBUTION TIED TO NORCROSS

Robert Menendez leads Thomas Kean, Jr. 98%-2% among members of the Communications Workers of America Local 1037, according to a poll conducted of their 7,000 members. The vote was 2,968 to 69 -- a margin of 43-1. About 43% of the membership participated in the poll, which the union traditionally runs before the Executive Board makes campaign endorsements. "We stand with Bob Menendez because he stands with us," said Hetty Rosenstein, the CWA Local 1037 President.

DAY 5 – NEW JERSEY HELD HOSTAGE!

PANTER AND MORGAN: "SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!"

"Fresh faced reformers" revealed as typical politicians, as desperate campaign makes devil's bargain in return for South Jersey cash

Putting to bed once and for all their claims of "independence", Assemblymen Mike Panter and Bob Morgan revealed in their latest ELEC reports that they had taken almost $900,000 from Democrat party bosses, including over $650,000 from George Norcross lackey Assemblyman Joseph Roberts, D-Camden. Overall, Panter and Morgan raised almost $1.2 million and by Election Day will surely surpass the record amount spent on an Assembly race.

5 Reasons Why Jon Corzine Won't Buck George Norcross and the Rest of the Party Bosses

The Forrester for Governor campaign today offered up the following five reasons why Jon Corzine can't - and won't - repudiate George Norcross and the party bosses...

Forrester: Petty's Island More Proof Corzine is Bossed by Norcross

Calls New Evidence of Pay-to-Play Deplorable

On Petty's Island today, gubernatorial candidate Doug Forrester stood with environmental leaders to discuss recent developments and reiterate his call for the preservation of Petty's Island.