SOUTH ORANGE – Steve Fulop prides himself on being different.
So it was Wednesday that he officially announced Sheena Collum, the mayor of this Essex County town, as his lieutenant governor running mate.
There really isn’t a whole lot of precedent here. New Jersey, after all, did not have a lieutenant governor until the 2009 election. It’s been common, however, to announce a LG candidate after a gubernatorial candidate has won the primary, not before.
But Fulop broke that mold. He presented Collum in the lobby of an apartment building that the mayor said is symbolic of the town’s redevelopment and inclusion.
Collum said she had been “stalking” Fulop – (in a good way) – for some time.
She said the Jersey City mayor is a “fellow nerd” and a policy wonk.
Collum quickly lived up to her self-billing.
Plunging right into issues, she referred to the state’s 564 municipalities, saying, “We have to look at broad consolidation across the board.”
Merging towns and school districts to save money is a perennial New Jersey issue. It is also kind of a “third rail” of state politics. New Jersey is a home rule state and many people like that – especially the ones doing the ruling.
Housing is another issue one hears a lot about on the campaign trail.
The apartment building locale for today’s event has a “set-aside” for low income residents. Collum is proud of that, but she said the state needs to build homes for those in the middle. Or in other words, those that would sell for between $200,000 and $400,000.
A train roared by during the event, but Collum planned to talk about New Jersey Transit anyway. She said she wants the agency to see a typical passenger as a pregnant woman commuting to work and concentrate on meeting her transit needs.
LG candidates do not normally get a chance to comment on primary opponents, but things here are, as we noted, different.
Mikie Sherrill represents South Orange in Congress. Collum praised “my congresswoman,” but said she would benefit New Jersey more by staying in the House.
How about Ras Baraka, who has finished second to Sherrill in a number of county conventions?
Collum said he is her second choice and lamented the fact New Jersey does not have ranked choice voting.
It’s necessary to ask at this point the relevance of all this. Many New Jerseyans have no idea who the lieutenant governor is, let alone those running for the office.
“We’re partners,” Fulop said, expressing confidence that voters will get to know Collum.
More importantly, Fulop said his choice reflects what would be a priority of his administration – top heavy on policy and the complimentary skills of urban and suburban mayors.
When the event broke up, Collum said she provides her phone number to everyone and offered it to the press.
It could have been coincidental, or perhaps Collum knows the history of the job she seeks.
Kim Guadagno, the state’s first lieutenant governor, used to give out her cell phone number all the time as well.
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Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is looking to boost his candidacy by partnering with South Orange Village President Sheena Collum in a strategic move that could help solidify his support in Essex County.
Fulop, who is running for re-election in Jersey City, has been actively seeking endorsements and alliances to strengthen his campaign. Collum, a rising star in Essex County politics, brings with her a strong base of support and a reputation for being a progressive leader.
By partnering with Collum, Fulop is hoping to appeal to a broader audience and tap into the growing influence of young, progressive voters in New Jersey. Collum’s endorsement could also help Fulop gain traction in Essex County, where he faces stiff competition from other candidates.
The partnership between Fulop and Collum is seen as a smart political move that could give Fulop an edge in a crowded field of candidates. Both politicians share similar progressive values and have a track record of advocating for social justice and economic equality.
Collum, who was elected as South Orange Village President in 2015 at the age of 28, has quickly made a name for herself as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader. She has been praised for her efforts to improve public safety, promote affordable housing, and support small businesses in her community.
Fulop and Collum’s partnership is expected to energize their respective bases of support and attract new voters who are looking for fresh leadership in New Jersey. With the primary election just around the corner, Fulop’s alliance with Collum could give him the boost he needs to secure another term as Jersey City’s mayor.
