Katz talks to New York Post, the thorn in Booker’s side, Talarico’s resignation, Devereaux pleads guilty, Cape May County Republicans lead charge to oust Wilson, Giuliani fundraiser in Passaic County, Stack won’t make peace just yet, Vega faces potential recall, Cunningham gets big numbers in Ward F, Oroho’s victory attributed partly to geography, most female nominees ever.

 

KATZ TELLS ALL, SAYS LITTLE

"Katz out of the bag . . . Corzine's ex spills the beans."

Union leader Carla Katz got that sensational front-page headline in yesterday's New York Post, in which gossip queen Cindy Adams reported that Gov. Corzine's ex-girlfriend has no dirt on the governor………

Yesterday, Katz said, "I'm not talking about this."

She offered a statement explaining the interview with Adams.

"This was part of an ongoing effort to correct the false reporting and mischaracterizations that have been out there. Hopefully, we can move forward to focus on the real important issues facing working families," the statement said.” (Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20070607_Corzines_ex_tells_all__but_says_little.html

 

IS POLITICS ALL LOCAL?

“It was the kind of triumph that would fill any up-and-coming political force with glee. Mayor Cory A. Booker, who took City Hall in a landslide here last year, threw his newfound heft behind six legislative candidates in Tuesday’s Democratic primary and found himself celebrating victory with five of them………

But even as supporters bounced to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” and emptied the complimentary bowls of Fritos, there was quiet hand-wringing over that sixth race, which was for the seat occupied by State Senator Ronald L. Rice, a 20-year incumbent who has long been one of the mayor’s most well-placed and vocal opponents.

To a few of his allies and many of his enemies, Mr. Booker’s loss highlighted a glaring gap between his growing national star power and a gravitational pull that, in local elections at least, is less potent than was widely assumed. Last month, the mayor’s political muscle was slightly bruised when the school board candidates he was backing here won office citywide but fared poorly in the South Ward, his home base.” (Jacobs, New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/nyregion/07elect.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

“If you're going to attack the king, you better make sure you kill him," said David Rebovich, a political analyst who heads the Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. "They couldn't finish off Rice and now there's a potentially awkward situation. Booker's going to have to figure out a way to work closely with him." (Wang, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181193811176640.xml&coll=1

 

STICK A FORK IN GUY TALARICO

Bergen County Republican Chairman Guy Talarico resigned Wednesday, a day after a sobering defeat in a primary battle that further split the fractured party.

"I have decided that it is time for someone else to take the helm and for me to give my family and profession the time that they deserve and require," he wrote in a statement.

Talarico, who had faced mounting pressure to step aside, most recently from Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk of Westwood, did not return calls for comment.

But his detractors were more than forthcoming.

"The dark ages of the Republican Party in Bergen are over," said Joseph Caruso, the chairman of Red Faction, a Republican club formed to work around Talarico.” (Carmiel, Bergen Record)

http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MTQ3NDcz

 

“COUNTY REPUBLICANS MUST BURY THEIR DEAD ORGANIZATION WITH IT”

“THE TIME OF DEATH was late Tuesday evening after votes were tallied in the 40th District. The Bergen County Republican Organization gave up the ghost on June 5, 2007.

The county organization did not die naturally; it was done in by its chairman, Guy Talarico. Rather than focus on party building, unity and fund raising, Talarico drove the party further to the right, ignoring voting trends and continued defeat at the polls. In his last attempt to win an election, Talarico challenged Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole's slate in the 40th, dragging former Bergen County Freeholder Todd Caliguire, who led the Talarico ticket, down to his third political defeat……………

After Tuesday's defeat, there was no way Talarico could hold on to leadership. Whoever emerges as the new leader must first mend fences within the organization. Bergen remains a key county for any candidate seeking statewide office. Candidates should come banging on the Bergen GOP's door seeking endorsements and support. Under Talarico, the only door banging was to hang an eviction notice.

County Republicans must bury their dead organization and with it, failed ideological campaigns designed to foster hate, fear and intolerance. They need a new party and a new leader. Talarico will not be missed.” (Editorial, Bergen Record)

http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxNCZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzE0NzQ1OA==

THE LEGACY OF REV. WILLIAM WATLEY

“Hours before all three were set to go on trial yesterday, the mother and sister of Lesly Devereaux admitted they doctored public records so investigators would not know Devereaux used her position at the New Jersey commerce commission to get them state work.

Despite the guilty pleas, Devereaux, who served as chief of staff to the Rev. William Watley when he was commerce secretary, nixed an 11th-hour deal offered by state prosecutors: five years in prison in return for a guilty plea. She could face a sentence twice as long or more if convicted at trial………

Prosecutors allege that within a year of becoming chief of staff in 2002, Devereaux began directing staff to find work for her mother and sister even though there was a policy against hiring relatives.

The alleged scam continued until the State Auditor's Office launched a routine inquiry into the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, according to the charges. The audit prompted Devereaux to conspire with her family to justify the work and falsify and back-date proposals, payment vouchers and $40-per-hour contracts, prosecutors allege.

Devereaux, 48, is also accused of having her secretary do personal shopping and pick up mail, draft legal documents and work on real estate transactions for her law practice. She resigned in June 2004.” (Hepp, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1181194147176640.xml&coll=1

IS WILSON SAFE?

Cape May County Republicans are leading a public effort to replace the chairman of their party's State Committee when his term expires next week.

After taking a unanimous vote March 30, the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization announced by press release that it has requested GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson not seek re-election when the state committee convenes June 14. The Cape May GOP is backing Pete Mancuso, a relative unknown in New Jersey political circles who retired from Wall Street last year and has vowed to forgo the chairman's salary while stepping up party fundraising efforts……………..

Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore, who heads the state committee of county chairs, said Wilson has been an effective leader and he feels confident he will be re-elected.

“I think Tom has done a tremendous job under difficult circumstances,” Gilmore said. “It's not easy to raise money and get your message out when you don't have any control.”

Even with Gilmore's support, it's clear Wilson has a fight on his hands. Many of the 42 state committee members — two from each county — who will vote on a new state chair June 14 remain undecided. Aside from Mancuso, former Assembly Minority Leader Paul DiGaetano is also seeking Wilson's post.”

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/newjersey/nj_politics/story/7483882p-7378855c.html

GIULIANI RAISES MONEY IN N.J.

“Former New York Mayor and GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani came out swinging against terror Wednesday night for Passaic County voters at a fundraiser.

"It's important we elect a president who understands the threat against us," Giuliani said in an interview after speaking to the Republican Party faithful at The Brownstone. "They (Democrats) talk about giving our enemies a timetable for retreat, which, in a time of war, is unheard of.” (Kindergan, Herald News)

http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MTQ3Njk4JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mw==

 

STACK NOT READY TO MAKE NICE

“The day after the 33rd District state Senate primary, the winner said he will continue to fight for his constituents and that he is not ready to make nice with the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

Union City Mayor and Assemblyman Brian P. Stack won by a landslide, beating fellow Assemblyman and West New York Mayor Silverio "Sal" Vega for the nomination to succeed Sen. Bernard Kenny, who did not run……………….

"I will work with whomever is out there working for the betterment of the 33rd District," Stack said. "I am not ready to make peace for the sake of making peace. There needs to be a lot of change in the Hudson County Democratic Organization and its leadership."

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181199270264220.xml&coll=3

IT’S NO FUN BEING SAL VEGA

“West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange wants to recall the town's mayor, given Silverio "Sal" Vega's dismal showing in the 33rd District Senate Democratic primary Tuesday.

Lange, like Vega a former county freeholder, was especially distressed that Vega was defeated by Stack in West New York, 2,606 votes to 2,261.” (Hack, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181199908264220.xml&coll=3

THE WARD F FACTOR

“A day after Sandra Bolden Cunningham defeated Assemblyman Louis Manzo in the Democratic primary for state Senate in the 31st District, the winner was tending to personal business while the loser was left to try to pick up the pieces.

“I am stunned. It feels like someone dropped a load of bricks on me," Manzo said in a telephone interview yesterday. "The reaction we were getting in the districts was good, but she clobbered me in the African-American districts………

Roughly 7,900 of Cunningham's 10,040 votes came out of Jersey City, while roughly 4,527 of Manzo's 7,972 total votes came from Bayonne, according to a detailed breakdown of the election results.

A breakdown of the pivotal Ward F shows that Manzo's campaign failed to resonate with a significant portion of city's African-American community, attracting just 373 votes, compared to Bolden Cunningham's 3,313 votes, a difference of 2,940. Bolden Cunningham defeated Manzo by 2,068 votes." (Renshaw, Jersey Journal)

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181204019264220.xml&coll=3

SUSSEX COUNTY PRIMACY

“Residency and geography, money and negative campaigning, experience and "Littell" coattails are all being cited as some of the contributing factors to one-term Sussex County Freeholder Steve Oroho's razor-thin upset of 13-year state Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R- Morris), in Tuesday's Republican primary for a nomination for state Senate in the 24th District.

Oroho squeaked out a victory with 51 percent (9,511 votes) of the ballots. Gregg tallied 49 percent (9,125 votes) -- or a difference of only 386 votes, according to unofficial results tallied by the Associated Press.

"At the end of day, we thought experience would trump residency, and it appears that didn't happen," Gregg said. "I think the post-mortem will be that the incredible fear driven by not having a Sussex senator played a much larger role than we believed it would." (Lockwood, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/sussex/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1181194161176640.xml&coll=1

 

RECORD NUMBERS

“A record number of women won nominations for state legislative seats in Tuesday's primary election, the Center for American Women and Politics announced yesterday.

According to the center, which is part of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, 15 women won nominations to the Senate and 40 were nominated for the Assembly.

Those numbers surpassed the old records, set in 2001, of 12 women nominated for Senate and 39 for Assembly. All 40 Senate and 80 Assembly seats are up for election in November……….

"It's good that there's been progress, but certainly there needs to be more -- on all sides of the aisle," State Republican Chairman Tom Wilson said.

Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D- Union), the Democratic State Chairman, said, "Women have been underrepresented by both parties. That imbalance won't be completely rectified this year but we will take some big strides in that direction.” (Schwaneberg, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181193779176640.xml&coll=1

 

GOP DOESN’T LIKE DEM PLAN

“Saying Democrats' property tax relief plans did not go far enough, Assembly Republicans called Wednesday for spending an additional $1 billion on property tax rebates.

They would pay for the increase with spending cuts that include reducing support for urban schools, eliminating government jobs and shelving a proposed tax break for the poor.

The Republican plan would provide homeowners with rebates as large as 30 percent of their bills and deliver $300 million in additional aid for suburban and rural school districts. The GOP would pay for the proposal with $1.5 billion in budget cuts, some of them vaguely defined.” (Tamari, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070395/1006

 

THE FUN IS NOT OVER IN DISTRICT 28

“After losing Tuesday's Democratic primary by a slim margin, Assemblyman Craig Stanley said yesterday he plans to ask for a re count.

Stanley, who was seeking the nomination in the 28th District, finished behind Cleopatra Tucker. Just 110 votes separated the loser from the winner.

"To me it would be a disservice to the voters not to ask for a re count," Stanley said. "I would think that people want to make sure that the final vote tallies that have been reported reflect the people's actually voting intent."

Out of nearly 12,000 votes cast, Tucker garnered 5,885 votes and Stanley received 5,775.” (Durando, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1181194638176640.xml&coll=1

 

NEW BLOOD

“Voters in Tuesday’s primary in North Jersey did more than pick legislative candidates to run in November — they decided it’s time to replace some of the old guard with new blood.

Of the incumbents facing primary challenges in Essex, Hudson, Bergen and Sussex counties, three — Wilfredo Caraballo, Craig Stanley and Oadline Truitt — lost their races. Two other veteran lawmakers, Republican Guy Gregg and Democrat Louis Manzo, will be out of the Legislature after losing separate bids to move up to the Senate.

Tuesday’s races for the Senate and Assembly in Essex County’s 28th and 29th districts were seen as a first test of Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s political coattails, and all four of the Assembly candidates Booker backed were winners.

“It certainly would indicate that there’s a growing power base within Newark and now it’s being extended out to parts of Essex,” said Joseph Marbach, a political scientist and acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University.” (Delli Santi, AP)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/70606008/1002

 

EXXON OWES NEW JERSEY

“Exxon Mobil Corp. must pay the state for lost opportunities to use wetlands, waterways and other natural resources damaged by contamination from a pair of waterfront refineries, a state appeals court ruled yesterday.

While the company has worked to clean up the site for 15 years, it will now also have to pay compensatory damages to the state because pollution deprived the public of the benefits of clean land and water -- including recreational pursuits like fishing, swimming and having vibrant plant and animal life to admire……….

"This goes beyond cleaning up a site. It says if you destroy something that belongs to the state of New Jersey ... whether its wetlands, or fisheries or groundwater," said Jeff Tittel, executive director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter, "if you destroy that, you have to compensate the public for that loss."

Exxon Mobil was reviewing the decision yesterday and had no comment, said spokeswoman Prem Nair.” (Coscarelli, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181194403176640.xml&coll=1

 

OPEN SPACE IN THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED STATE

“They flew banners over the Jersey Shore during Memorial Day weekend, bought radio ads and rallied a third of the state Legislature to sign a letter in an attempt to win over Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

Environmentalists announced TueEsday they would not concede in their effort to renew funding for the dwindling Garden State Preservation Trust fund, even though it appears to be too late for the Legislature to act before their regular session ends……...

A coalition of 90 organizations in the Keep it Green campaign called on Legislative leadership Tuesday to reconvene this summer for a special session to consider the bill to constitutionally dedicate up to $175 million annually to the fund for open space, farmland, county and municipal matching grants, and flood-prone areas.” (Graber, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118119089444960.xml&coll=2

 

SO FAR, SO GOOD WITH PAPER TRAIL VOTING

“Every voter in New Jersey should be using them by next year. But Warren County residents got a sneak peek this week, and the early returns on VVPATs look favorable. VVPAT stands for "voter-verified paper trail."

That's a fancy way of saying "a printer that shows you a paper copy of your electronic vote, so you know the touch-screen machine didn't screw it up." (Coughlin, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1181194810176640.xml&coll=1

 

CONTRAST THIS WITH TALARICO’S DEPARTURE

“Warren County Democratic Party Chairman David DeGerolamo won't seek a third term as the party's leader. The married father of three feels he has accomplished his major goals as chairman and wants to focus on his family and serving Phillipsburg as town council president.

If Paul Arohnson decides not to challenge U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, DeGerolamo said he may step into the race.

But for now, the focus is on Phillipsburg's redevelopment and economic rebirth, he said.” (Satullo, Express-Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118119040344960.xml&coll=2

 

CANDIDATE CAN’T EVEN VOTE FOR HIMSELF

“The lone Republican candidate for council may not be a registered voter, according to records at the Mercer County clerk's office, and his candidacy is in jeopardy.

Michael Theokas, who owns Theo's Tavern, said he was surprised and embarrassed when he learned of the problem Tuesday. Theokas, who garnered 32 votes in the primary, maintained he had registered to vote in Hightstown last year and voted in the mayoral election in November.” (Stein, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-9/11811893625770.xml&coll=5

 

IN TRENTON

“Two state Senate candidates are urging the state attorney general to investigate whether any criminal activity occurred in the alleged tampering with student transcripts in Trenton public schools.” (Colon, Trenton Times)

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/11811893295770.xml&coll=5

 

IN MORRIS COUNTY

“Robert A. Bianchi saw both jarring back-alley violence and the best of human nature when he rode during college and law school as an emergency medical technician around the Essex County city of Orange. He sought the death penalty, as a young assistant prosecutor in Hudson County, for a monster who set his pregnant wife on fire in the presence of their 10-year-old daughter. And he was stirred when he got a recent e-mail from the daughter, now a young woman living in Boston, that congratulated him on his nomination to be the next Morris County prosecutor.” (Wright, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COMMUNITIES32/706070336/1203/NEWS01

 

THEY MUST HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME

“Nine Morris County mayors joined several others from throughout the state Wednesday night in a competition to see who could make the healthiest dish.” (Lioudis, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COMMUNITIES/706070345/1203/NEWS01

 

IN MORRIS COUNTY

“Knocking on all those doors paid off, Jim Murray said Wednesday, one day after defeating incumbent Morris County Freeholder John Inglesino in the Republican primary. "I worked hard," Murray said. "It feels good to win." It felt like a shock to all the incumbents, who had tried to keep Murray off the ballot.” (Daigle, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COMMUNITIES/706070342/1203/NEWS01

“Flabbergasted. Stunned. Amazed. Shocked. Astonished. Those were some of the reactions in political circles yesterday to James Murray's surprising win in Tuesday's Morris County Republican freeholder primary election.” (Ragonese, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181195024176640.xml&coll=1

 

IN WARREN COUNTY

“The son didn't rise. Acting Warren County Clerk Pat Kolb moved one step closer to removing the "acting" from her job title when she won the Republican primary election Tuesday night over pharmacy company operations manager Chad Chamberlain, son of Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain.” (Frassinelli, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/sussex/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1181198486176640.xml&coll=1

 

IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY

“Now is no time to get a false sense of security regarding the Department of Corrections and its plans for Cumberland County, Freeholder Doug Rainear told the News on Wednesday.” (Dunn, Bridgeton News)

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-1/118119157495680.xml&coll=10

 

IN SOMERS POINT

“Genevieve DeVito won the Democratic City Council primary in the 1st Ward on the strength of absentee ballots counted Wednesday.” (DeAngelis, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/7483864p-7378844c.html

 

IN OCEANPORT

"Republican Borough Councilman Hugh P. Sharkey has been denied the GOP nomination for re-election, and instead the party will run two candidates who successfully waged a last minute write-in campaign for the primary election.” (Gorga Williams, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070452/1004/NEWS01

 

IN ALLENTOWN

“Monmouth County election officials on Wednesday were sorting out whether anyone received enough write-in votes to run as a Democrat in November's race for the borough mayor.” (Sapia, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070476/1004/NEWS01

 

IN LITTLE SILVER

“Businessman Anthony J. Turfolo Jr., the independent candidate for mayor, said one reason he is running is to rid the borough of excess bureaucracy. Turfolo, who filed his petitions Tuesday, is challenging longtime Republican Mayor Suzanne Castleman, who is seeking re-election in November.” (Higgs, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS01/706070449/1004/NEWS01

 

IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

“Independent candidates have now joined the race for this year's contests for a seat on the Burlington County Board of Freeholders and for municipal offices in Florence and Wrightstown.” (Reitmeyer and Hayes, Burlington County Times)

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-06062007-1358529.html

 

IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

“Deborah Trout did better than anyone expected, topping a strong field to win the Republican primary for sheriff. It was vindication for a former sheriff's officer who left the Hunterdon department after suing incumbent William Doyle for harassment.”

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181194589176640.xml&coll=1

 

IN PARSIPPANY

“Republican chairman Michael Strumolo announced Wednesday that he is giving up his post and went on to slam five-time losing mayoral candidate Rosemarie Agostini, who was defeated Tuesday night in the Republican council primary.” (Jennings, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COMMUNITIES38/706070323/1203/NEWS01

 

IN DENVILLE

“The outcome of the Republican mayoral primary was unclear Wednesday, with Councilman Ted Hussa declining to claim victory despite holding an 11-vote lead over Business Administrator Ellen Sandman.” (Jennings, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/COMMUNITIES12/706070355/1203/NEWS01

 

IN HARDWICK TOWNSHIP

“His $47 political campaign consisted of three signs -- one on his dead-end street -- and a letter to residents of his tiny Warren County township. So Jim Perry wasn't entering his write-in campaign for a three-year Hardwick Township committee seat with the greatest of expectations.” (Frassinelli, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/sussex/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1181194092176640.xml&coll=1

 

IN LINDEN

“A campaign to unseat Democratic Party stalwarts on Linden's city council has developed a problem: too many candidates trying to upset the status quo at the same time.” (Murray, Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/union/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1181193694176640.xml&coll=1