Michael Kempner

March 27, 2008 - 8:20pm

Clinton fundraisers push petition to seat Florda, Michigan delegates

The top Hillary Clinton fundraisers are circulating an online petition to press the Democratic National Committee to reinstate delegates from Florida and Michigan. "If they are not reinstated by early April. we ask the Democratic National Committee to show cause why they should not be reinstated and establish a mandate for two full revote primaries for June,” wrote John Graham and Michael Kempner.

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February 11, 2008 - 9:51am

Special Edition: 2008 New Jersey Presidential Primary Winners & Losers

By Wally Edge

PolitickerNJ.com's Special Edition: 2008 New Jersey Presidential Primary Winners & Losers: Click Here

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February 5, 2008 - 3:00am

Stakeholders

By Wally Edge

Just a few months ago, New Jersey’s presidential primary – moved up to February in a quest for national political relevance – was looking like a non-event. Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani had considerable leads; in the case of the GOP, the winner-take-all primary meant that there were no delegates available to the other contenders.

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January 9, 2008 - 10:39am

PolitickerNJ.com's People to Watch in 2008

By Editor

Frank Lautenberg, who at age 84 will seek a fifth term as a United States Senator from New Jersey. If he wins, he’d become the oldest and longest-serving Senator in state history. But a sudden retirement could turn New Jersey politics upside-down.

Common Sense America Executive Director

Brian Brown and Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein go to battle over a likely vote next year on same sex marriage.

John Adler, the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman who is seeking to become the first Democratic Congressman from Jim Saxton’s district since 1994. And watch Frank LoBiondo, if Jeff Van Drew decides he wants to be a Congressman

Kate Whitman

, the smart and talented daughter of former Governor Christine Todd Whitman, who is seeking an open congressional seat in the 5th district. Also, Whitman’s primary opponent, Sen. Leonard Lance, and the Democratic nominee, Assemblywoman Linda Stender. And note that in 2007, Whitman lost a convention for Somerset Freeholder, Lance was a PolitickerNJ.com Loser of the Year Runner-Up, and Stender ran the 11th Worst Campaign of the Year.

Charlotte DeFilippo, the veteran Union County Democratic Chair, had her records as Executive Director of the Union County Improvement Authority subpoenaed by the state Attorney General’s office.

Steve Ayscue, who has made George Norcross’ political jets arrive on time for years, has emerged as one of the most powerful political insiders in South Jersey, with considerable responsibility for Democratic wins in State Senate races and beyond.

Matthew Boxer,

who survived a contemptuous confirmation process to become New Jersey’s first State Comptroller, will be held accountable as the guy charged with making a government some view as out of control operate more efficiently.

Troy Singleton

, an aide to Carpenters Union leader Frank Spencer and a close confidante of Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.

The Group

– the key fundraisers for Hillary Clinton’s New Jersey presidential campaign: John Graham, Alfred De- Cotiis, Michael Kempner, Bill Harla, Rev. Reginald Jackson, and Meryl Frank, have created a structure that will make them sought after by candidates in the future. Bill Layton, the newly elected Burlington County Republican Chairman, will now be held accountable for the success and failure of GO P candidates in Burlington.

Dennis Shulman

, a blind Rabbi/Psychoanalyst, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress in the fifth district. He wants to challenge Rep. Scott Garrett.

Two veteran New Jersey operatives get a chance to manage in the major leagues:

Brendan Gill, who has worked for Steve Rothman, Bill Pascrell and others, will manage U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg’s campaign. His possible rival will be Mark Duffy, who has worked for Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce and has run campaigns in Mercer and Monmouth counties, will be Republican Anne Evans Estabrook’s campaign manager.

Two of the state’s leading young Hispanic politicians are

Teresa Ruiz, who became the first Latina to win a seat in the State Senate, and Newark City Councilman Anibal Ramos, who could emerge as a mayoral candidate – especially if Cory Booker falters.

New Jersey AFL-CIO President

Charles Wowkanech took some flak from Democrats by supporting Nick Asselta and Phil Haines, and for staying out of the Whelan/McCullough race. Will Democrats punish him, or leave him alone? Read More >

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November 20, 2007 - 9:32pm

"The Group" pledges $1M for Clinton N.J. event

By Wally Edge

A group of Democratic power fundraisers have committed to raising “at least $1 million” for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign at a December 12 event at the State Theater in New Brunswick. More than 75 party fundraisers met last week at the MWW offices in East Rutherford for a meeting sponsored by “The Group” – the unofficial name for John Graham, Michael Kempner, Alfred DeCotiis,William Harla, Rev. Reginald Jackson, and Mayor Meryl Frank, who are the leaders of Clinton’s New Jersey finance operation. Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan attended the meeting.

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July 31, 2007 - 2:08pm

Clinton raises almost $400k at N.J. events

By Wally Edge

More than 200 people attended a Hillary Clinton for President fundraiser last night at the home of MWW President/CEO Michael Kempner that raised a reported $250,000. John Graham, Alfred DeCotiis, and Bill Harla also played a role in the event. Clinton also raised a reported $140,000 at Jersey City Councilman Steve Fulop's fundraiser.

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April 11, 2007 - 10:34am

Clinton plans $1 million New Jersey event

By Wally Edge

Supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign say they can raise $1 million at a New Jersey event on June 18. Kerry '04 New Jersey Chairman John Graham, Democratic National Committeeman Alfred DeCotiis, MWW President Michael Kempner and the Rev. Reginald Jackson will be heading up Clinton's fundraising operation in New Jersey, and have set a $25,000 minimum to serve on their campaign executive finance committee, and $10,000 for their finance committee.Â They have a meeting set up for April 24th in West Orange.

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June 21, 2006 - 3:24pm

Is Mark Warner becoming the early N.J. front runner?

By Wally Edge

Among the Democrats attending Mark Warner's North Jersey fundraiser last night: State Senator Paul Sarlo, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Democratic State Chairman/Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, former Democratic State Committee Counsel Angelo Genova, Kerry '04 spokesman Tom Barrett, Cumberland County Democratic Chairman and Freeholder Louis Magazzu, Essex County Freeholder Linda Lordi Cavanaugh, Parsippany Mayor Michael Luther, Highland Park Mayor Meryl Frank, West Orange Councilman Robert Parisi, and lobbyists Robert Sommer and Adam Kaufman. The former Governor of Virginia has already signed up three key New Jersey fundraisers: New Jersey Kerry '04 Co-Chairman John Graham, Democratic National Committeeman Alfred DeCotiis, and lobbyist (and ex-Bob Torricelli fundraiser/staffer) Michael Kempner. Kempner has been friends with Warner since 1980, when the two worked together as fundraisers for the Democratic National Committee.

Warner also headlined a fundraiser for the Assembly Democrats in Trenton that brought him kind words from Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and Assembly Majority Leader (and former Democratic State Chairwoman) Bonnie Watson Coleman.

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