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Steve Fulop won't run for Mayor of Jersey City next year. Instead, he'll seek re-election to the City Council.

Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop has decided against a bid for Mayor of Jersey City in 2009, according to sources close to the reform Democrat.  Louis Manzo, a former Assemblyman and Hudson County Freeholder who has made four unsuccessful bids for Mayor, is expected to enter the race to unseat Jerramiah Healy.  The incumbent, the Hudson County Democratic Chairman and an early supporter of Barack Obama's campaign for the presidency, is viewed as the favorite to win re-election in the May non-partisan municipal race.

JERSEY CITY -- Governor-Elect Chris Christie said that Assembly Majority Leader-Elect Joseph Cryan (D-Union), the head of the state Democratic Party, “stuck out like a sore thumb” at a press conference with other incoming legislative leaders yesterday.

While most of the other leaders said they were not willing to “waver” on core Democratic principles, they took a more conciliatory tone towards Christie.  Cryan, however, had the toughest rhetoric, reminding Christie that every incumbent legislator was reelected and 47 out of 48 assembly seats remained Democratic.  

“I would suggest to Mr. Cryan to get out of Democratic State Committee chairman mode, and that he get into the mode of governing,” said Christie.

Christie said that he did not hear the same tone from incoming Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford), Assembly Speaker-Elect Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange), Senate Majority Leader-Elect Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) or state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), the incoming chair of the appropriations committee.

“And I was listening very carefully,” said Christie.  “So listen, I know this is a tough conversion for Joe. He presided over a losing statewide election.  So it’s difficult for him to get out of that mode and to admit what happened.”

Former assembly candidate Joseph Caruso said he had nothing to do with the robocall political consultant Kevin Collins was charged with yesterday.

“I had no clue about this until after it happened, and even when I found out about it I thought [Assemblyman Scott] Rumana did it… It hurt my reputation, not his.” said Caruso, who with running mate Anthony Rottino fought an unsuccessful primary against Rumana (R-Wayne) and Assemblyman David Russo (R-Ridgewood) in June.

Caruso said that he kept Collins “at arm’s length” during the campaign, but threw him some work as a favor.  

“People were telling me the guy was hard up, was going to lose his house – ‘Could you give him something?’ It’s the last time I’m going to be nice to somebody,” he said.

Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) in early fall at a "Latinos for Corzine-Weinberg" rally in Newark.

In a conversation today with PolitickerNJ.com, Assemblywoman Nelllie Pou (D-North Haledon) would not rule out running for the chairmanship of the State Democratic Committee, but stopped short of saying she definitely plans to pursue the office. 

"That would be a great opportunity for me and a great honor," said the veteran legislator and appropriations committee chair who serves Paterson and that city's suburbs in the 35th Legislative District. 

"I would need to consider it and, no, I would not rule it out. We have a state chair currently who has done an incredible job. I also know my great friend and colleague, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville) is interested. ...It's still being discussed, but if I have ever had the opportunity to serve, it would be a great honor and an opportunity to show how our state party is reflective of what is important statewide." 

The sitting chairman, Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union Twp.), will finish his term at the end of this year. Sources close to the chairman say he's ready to focus on his new role in the party as Assembly Majority Leader and does not intend to seek re-election to the state chairman's job.

New Jersey voters overwhelmingly support a wage freeze and layoffs of public workers to balance the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.

By a margin of 75% to 21%, voters support wage freezes.  A smaller number, but still an overwhelming majority, support layoffs: 61% to 33%.  

"If Governor-elect Christopher Christie wants to consider a wage freeze, New Jersey voters, even Democrats and union households, say send out for ice," said poll director Maurice Carroll. “And if he's thinking about swinging the ax, voters will help sharpen it.

When given the choice between rising taxes and program cuts, voters chose the cuts 63% to 23%.  

Governor-Elect Chris Christie has a net positive favorability rating of 36% to 25%, while the approval rating for outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine is the lowest ever in a Quinnipiac poll, at 31% approve to 59% disapprove. 

I have a Blackberry device that I am not completely thrilled with. It’s clunky and not intuitive like an IPhone, which I would rather have. In fact, the regular message on all my Blackberry emails is “I have a Verizon Blackberry, but I would rather have an IPhone.”

A veteran New Jersey political consultant who has run into controversy before was charged today with impersonation and violation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

Kevin Collins, 39, allegedly was responsible for automated phone calls in support of District 40 Republican primary challengers Joe Caruso and Anthony Rottino.  In the call, a woman who identifies herself as “Ann” lobs several charges at incumbents Scott Rumana (R-Wayne) and Dave Russo (R-Ridgewood)

Collins, who lives in Brooklyn but used to live in Wood-Ridge, allegedly gave the robocall services company the cell phone number of Ann O’Rourke, Rumana’s chief of staff, so that the call looked like it originated from her.  

“This is a case of identity theft and misrepresentation,” said Attorney General Anne Milgram. “The defendant used the victim's cell phone number and first name to make people believe she was responsible for the robocalls.”

Over 12,000 residents of the 40th district got the call on primary day, June 2.  According to the Attoney General's Office, it did not identify who paid for it and made several inaccurate claim about the incumbents. 

TRENTON - Assemblyman John Wisniewksi (D-Sayreville) intends to make a formal play for the chairmanship of the State Democratic Committee only if and when sitting Chairman Joe Cryan officially says he's done.

"Chairman Cryan will reach out to members of the state committee and at that point I would anticipate he will move on as state chair, and when he does that I am obviously interested," Wisniewski told PolitickerNJ.com, shortly after members of the Democratic caucus unanimously elected Assembly Cryan (D-Union Twp.) to serve as majority leader behind Assembly Speaker-elect Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange).

The state committee, composed of 121 members, would have to schedule a meeting on Cryan's orders to elect his successor to a two-year term. Sources close to the state chairman say his election today to majority leader indicate his imminent departure from the statewide political leadership role of his party.

"I am not going to do anything official until he makes it official," said Wisniewski. "I am not going to preempt the majority leader."

When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats.  Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left.