John McKeon

Barry Funt is one of the Republican candidates for State Assembly in District 27, which has voted Democratic in four straight elections

Three long-shot Assembly candidates today accused Gov. Jon Corzine of using his personal wealth to silence influential members of the black community on an issue they say they are their allies on: school vouchers.

"We strongly believe that school choice is the way out.  Many of these ministers have advocated the same thing, and ultimately you've seen the damaging impacts of Corzine's money," said Barry Funt, a Republican running for assembly in District 27 who has organized a group of mostly Republican Assembly challengers called "Citizens for Assembly."

Funt was joined by two black Assembly candidates - Herbert Glenn, a Republican running in District 28; and Rev. Clenard Childress, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent who is running in District 34.  Districts 28 and 34 are heavily Democratic.

At issue were the recent revelations that Corzine's philanthropic foundation last year gave $87,000 to the church of influential Reverend Reginald Jackson - who heads the Black Ministers Council and endorsed Corzine this month -- and $1 million three years ago to the Camden County nonprofit organization and church run by Rev. Bishop David G. Evans, who is a member of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's board. 

"When you have a job that basically appears to be appointed by Democrats in New Jersey already and you're receiving cash grants or whatever loan funds from the governor, how much can you stand up and point to the gross negligence of African-American leadership, and leadership in this government," said District 28 Republican Assembly candidate Herb Glenn, referring to Evans. 

Still, the candidates were careful not to go out after the black religious leaders too forcefully. 

Glenn, who sat next to a photo of himself holding an umbrella over Jackson while he spoke at a July school choice rally in front of the State House, tempered his language on the Jackson. 

Jackson sits on the board of E3 (Excellent Education for Everyone) - a group that supports school vouchers, and has been an outspoken proponent of the idea.  Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie even engaged in a public flirtation with Jackson for his support.

LIVINGSTON, NJ – Just three days ago, Mayor/Assemblyman John McKeon was touting a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll that showed a 23-point lead in favor of his $400 million bond measure to "preserve" open space. This is in direct contrast with today’s Eagleton-Rutgers poll that showed 43% opposed to 41% in support.  The earlier poll simply asked people if they support "bonding" for open space, without clarifying what "bonding" means.  The reason for the difference is when people are informed of the truth, they are more likely to make the right decision. When they are asked whether they want the State to borrow 400 million dollars for the purchase of open space, the support clearly erodes.

McKEON / COUTINHO / JOHNSON / CRUZ-PEREZ BILL TO PROMOTE INVOLVEMENT ON LOCAL BOARDS NOW LAW

Law Gives Towns Leeway to Set Strict Attendance Policies, Makes it Easier for Interested Residents to Put Names Up for Consideration

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members John McKeon, Al Coutinho, Gordon Johnson and Nilsa Cruz-Perez sponsored to ensure members of local authorities live up to their responsibilities and to also make it easier for residents to put their names forward for appointments has been signed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

“Civic participation is the cornerstone of our society, yet many qualified residents find it hard to put their names forward to serve their communities,” said McKeon (D-Essex). “We are making it easier for residents who truly have both the desire and time to serve on the various boards and authorities that are a vital part of every municipality.”

Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) at the Barclay on Wednesday night with Democratic State Party Chairman Joe Cryan, left, and Assemblyman Tom Giblin (D-Montclair)

BELMAR - Inevitably, observation of Assemblyman John McKeon's (D-West Orange) higher profile and intensified advocacy for open space and environmental issues coincides with Senate President Richard Codey's (D-Roseland) public battle to remain in the chair of senatorial power.

Those dynamics in the 27th District have created speculation that McKeon, alert to a shakeup as redistricting looms next year, may be angling to head the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) if Gov. Jon Corzine is reelected.  

"No one's asked me (about serving as DEP commissioner)," McKeon, who on Wednesday night co-chaired Caroline Kennedy's rally at the Barclay for Corzine, told PolitickerNJ.com.

He added, "I'm totally focused on my own re-election."

But Codey's situation may impact the 51-year old McKeon, as the sitting senate president faces the prospect next year of being unseated by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and the empowerment of Codey's political antagonists to redraw a district map for 2011 that would favor their closest allies and conceivably weaken the current legislative occupants of District 27.

Caroline Kennedy, and Democratic State Party Chairman Joe Cryan

BELMAR - Appearing Wednesday night here at the Barclay in support of Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, Caroline Kennedy reached back to 1980 when her late uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, campaigned for the presidency and won the Democratic Primary in New Jersey.

"I remember campaigning with Teddy in Elizabeth, Jersey City and Hoboken, and that victory you gave to him meant the most to him," said Kennedy, recalling other campaign visits throughout the years too, but dwelling on that Jersey win, when incumbent President Jimmy Carter defeated her uncle in 24 of 34 primaries but failed to turn him back here.

When Corzine mentioned how the senator, who died on August 25th after battling brain cancer, stood in the same spot in 2005 to help Corzine in his first run for the governorship, State Party Chairman Joe Cryan choked up at the memory before the governor added, "Nobody looks out for Jon Corzine like this Irishman, Joe Cryan."

There was sustained applause for Cryan and the late Kennedy from this Irish-American crowd that packed the split-level bar and banquet hall a block away from the capital beach for a community hovering at near 16% of the total population in New Jersey, for whom Caroline Kennedy remains a beloved symbol.

Corzine then invoked another Irish politician in the room, former Gov. Brendan Byrne, who occupied the chair of honor between Kennedy on one side, and a stage packed with Irish-American Mayors, including Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, on the other.

Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) jumped on today’s Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll that showed the $400 million open space bond referendum with a 23 point lead in the polls.

"The poll results indicate that our message of the benefits of open space -  especially its economic advantages - is resonating with New Jersey citizens,” said McKeon, who chairs the Environment and Solid Waste Committee and is the ballot question's prime sponsor.

McKeon said that he is “confident an increasing number will support the open space ballot question on Nov. 3."

Voters in 2007 rejected two out of three ballot initiatives, even though polls showed them leading in late October.

For instance, an October 25, 2007 Eagleton poll found voters supporting a $450 million bond issue to finance stem cell research by a 57%-36% margin.  On election day, the measure was defeated.  Voters that year did approve a ballot measure to borrow $200 million to fund open space, however, and have voted to support open space ballot questions 13 times since 1961.

All nine Essex County Democrats in the State Assembly have endorsed Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) for Speaker.  Oliver now has endorsements from 35 Democratic legislators and likely winners of open seats, giving her a seemingly overwhelming lead in the race to succeed retiring Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden).

Oliver's rival, Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) has just two votes, her own and Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton), her running mate.

Among Oliver's supporters are John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Mila Jasey (D-South Orange), who are running mates and political allies of Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland).

Also backing Oliver are Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville), Albert Coutinho (D-Newark), Thomas Giblin (D-Montclair), Frederick Scalera (D-Nutley), Grace Spencer (D-Newark), and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex).

"I am honored that our entire delegation is supporting Sheila Oliver for Speaker," said Essex County Democratic Chairman Phil Thigpen, "she will be a fighter for the taxpayers in New Jersey; her dedication to human services will insure that the individuals so often overlooked in government will now have a strong voice in Trenton.  I am so proud that Essex County is part of this historic election."

One of the likely casualties of the battle for the Senate Presidency will be Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange), who is Richard Codey's (D-Roseland) closest ally in the Legislature.  Watch for the new leadership to punish McKeon, perhaps by taking away his chairmanship of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.  Democrats will argue that with the new Speaker coming from Essex, some of the more prestigious chairmanships might need to go elsewhere. 

Democrats most loyal to Gov. Jon Corzine are not big fans of McKeon, who took on the role of bashing Corzine during the few months in 2004 and 2005 when Codey and Corzine might have been competitors for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

McKeon, the Mayor of West Orange, has been widely viewed as the heir apparent to Codey's Senate seat.  With Codey apparently about to lose his post to Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford), the new leadership might be less than enthusiastic about seeing McKeon ascend to the Senate.  Sources suggest that Democrats might be open to moving West Orange (and perhaps Roseland, if Codey runs again) out of the district during the 2011 redistricting process.

Maybe Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris Twp.) will get his wish: the conservative Republican told PolitickerNJ.com last month that he would run against Codey if mapmakers created a competitive district that is at least half Morris County,

A group of forty candidates for the State Assembly gathered on the statehouse steps to announce "Citizens for Assembly," a statewide group of legislative candidates formed by District 27 Republican Barry Funt to "return the Legislature to regular citizens."

The group have signed a ten-point platform, the "Common Sense Pledge.

"If elected, the citizen candidates on these steps would constitute a majority in the State Assembly; providing the leadership we need to change New Jersey," said Funt, who is challenging Democratic incumbents John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Mila Jasey (D-South Orange).  "Citizens for Assembly is an effort to remind New Jersey how important it is to elect legislators who represent regular citizens."

Funt called on voters to "to "become comfortable with the idea of voting differently than you may have in the past."

"You should know that supporting this group of candidates is not moving from one group of insiders to another. An overwhelming majority of the people up here with me are running for office for the very first time," Funt said.

LIVINGSTON, NJ -- Yesterday, Barry Funt and his Assembly running mate Mark Meyerowitz attended the North Essex Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association's monthly Essex County and ELC Legislative breakfast in West Orange.

Funt and Meyerowitz spoke out on important economic issues, such as the degradation of the business environment in New Jersey and steps that can be taken to lower taxes and encourage new job creation.

As promised, incumbent Assemblywoman Mila Jasey was in attendance and addressed the group. Despite repeated confirmation of his attendance, Mayor/Assemblyman John McKeon refused to be in the same room as his Assembly opponents and decided at the last minute not to attend. Apparently John McKeon is too busy stumping for Jon Corzine to defend his record to his District's citizens.

"Since the beginning of our campaign, Barry and I have been calling for debates with our opponents, and Mila Jasey and John McKeon have not responded," Mark Meyerowitz said. "McKeon's last minute cancellation is disrespectful to the Chamber of Commerce and to residents of the 27th District. McKeon's failure to address his policies that have hampered New Jersey businesses is yet another insult to the business community," Mark added.

At the breakfast, Funt said, "A business manager who was responsible for increased expenses, plummeting revenues, loss of customers and employees and was also caught in a web of conflict of interests that called into question the ethics of the company would not have his contract renewed. That is John McKeon's record in the Assembly, and his contract should also not be renewed."

"Our business climate is the worst in the nation, and this is an issue of enormous significance to New Jersey's hardworking families and business owners. McKeon's disrespectful dismissal of this Chamber of Commerce event is evidence that he knows he has failed the business community, and he is relying solely on his special interest friends to secure his re-election. McKeon is not someone who represents us. The people of the 27th District deserve better. "

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