Monday night was a political potpourri in Morris County.
For starters, there was Anthony M. Bucco, the top Republican in the state Senate, holding his annual golf outing in Denville.
Jack Ciattarellli was there, but then again, Jack Ciattarelli is just about everywhere. He says that’s to his advantage.
“Familiarity breeds support,” said Ciattarelli, who is running for governor again after losing a close race in 2021.
He further explained, saying, or perhaps hoping, that voters “respect the fact you haven’t given up.”
Ciattarelli left the outdoor gathering at the Rockaway River Country Club before the sun set, heading to another event in Franklin Lakes – as opposed to Mountain Lakes, which was just down the block. New Jersey, as we know, has many towns and many towns with similar names.
If Ciattarelli had visited Mountain Lakes, he could have crashed a party at The Mansion banquet hall run by Morris County Democrats.
Senate candidate Andy Kim was the guest speaker and this event was a celebration as much as it was a fundraiser.
Amalia Duarte, the county Dem chair, reminded the audience that Morris County Democrats held an “open convention” last spring and overwhelmingly endorsed Kim over First Lady Tammy Murphy. Soon thereafter, Murphy left the race.
Kim was feeling the love too. He recalled attending the county organization’s holiday party last December and getting an ovation when he arrived.
That was probably more telling than it seemed. Murphy at that time was still getting support from many organization figures statewide and the rank and file embracing of Kim was a precursor of what was to come.
Kim avoided policy statements and instead concentrated on a need to make politics less polarizing and more respectful.
Kindness, he said, is important and as he has done in the past, quoted Martin Luther King Jr.:
“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”
This may be an overlooked part of King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” but it is a part Kim obviously likes.
Back at the golf course, Bucco spoke about the legacy of his late father – Anthony R. Bucco – who started the golf outing years ago. A moment of silence was held in his memory.
James Gannon, the county sheriff, said Bucco lives up to the saying of, “When I’m in Trenton, You’re in Trenton.”
There is history here. The elder Bucco employed that very line almost 30 years ago when he first ran for the state Assembly.
When Anthony R. Bucco died in 2019, it ushered in a series of events that resulted in his son running – special elections included – almost every year for five years.
But this year, with no state legislative elections, Bucco said he is enjoying the tranquility.
“Let me tell you, it’s the first time in six years that I don’t even have to prepare for an election or have an election coming up,” he said.
But Bucco did speak about the challenges of next year when a governor will be elected. He warned that federal Covid money is running out and that state spending can not continue at its current level.
At the same time, he touched on how Morris County has become more competitive.
“There were a couple of years when the Democrats really thought they were going to take me out,” Bucco said, noting that they had a lot of campaign cash.
But they didn’t.
And for that, Bucco thanked his supporters.
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The race for New Jersey governor is heating up as Republican candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Hirsh Singh compete for the support of Morris County voters. Insider NJ has been closely following the campaign trail, providing in-depth coverage of the candidates’ platforms and strategies.
Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, has been positioning himself as a moderate Republican with a focus on fiscal responsibility and education reform. He has garnered support from establishment Republicans and has been endorsed by several county party organizations. Ciattarelli has also emphasized his experience in the private sector, touting his success as a small business owner.
On the other hand, Hirsh Singh, a businessman and engineer, has been running a more populist campaign, appealing to conservative voters with his strong stance on issues like immigration and gun rights. Singh has positioned himself as an outsider candidate, criticizing Ciattarelli for being too closely aligned with the political establishment.
Morris County, a traditionally Republican stronghold, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the primary election. Both Ciattarelli and Singh have been actively campaigning in the county, attending town hall meetings, speaking at local events, and meeting with voters one-on-one.
Insider NJ’s coverage of the race has provided voters with valuable insights into the candidates’ positions on key issues, their campaign strategies, and their chances of winning the primary election. As the race heats up, Insider NJ will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of the campaign, keeping readers informed about the latest developments and analysis.
With the primary election just around the corner, Morris County voters will have an important decision to make. Will they support Jack Ciattarelli, the establishment-backed candidate with a focus on fiscal responsibility and education reform? Or will they rally behind Hirsh Singh, the outsider candidate with a more populist appeal? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Insider NJ will be there every step of the way, providing readers with the most up-to-date and insightful coverage of the race for governor.
