Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I am ending my campaign so Bill Spadea can use all his campaign resources to defeat the two never-Trumpers in this race and carry a conservative message to November.” – Former Senator Durr referring to Senator Bramnick and Jack Ciattarelli as he drops out of the GOP guv primary
TOP STORY: Bar Notes: The 2025 Gubernatorial Election
President Trump named Alina Habba as the US Attorney for the state, according to NorthJersey.com.
Governor Murphy visited Mount Laurel to honor 50 years of the landmark doctrine, according to the Daily Journal.
The trial of Nadine Arslanian Menendez has begun, according to NJ.com. Prosecutors allege that she was her husband’s ‘partner in crime’, according to Politico NJ.
160 towns are challenging how much affordable housing they need to build, according to NJ.com.
South Jersey mail carriers joined a USPS protest, according to Burlington County Times.
A Camden County judge blasted President Trump’s transgender military ban, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: Murphy signed legislation extending primary early voting; judge dismissed Norcross case; Murphy presented record $58.1B budget
Recent movements have sparked intrigue in both parties’ gubernatorial primaries.
The gubernatorial primary fields are set, according to NJ Spotlight.
Mayor Fulop plans to announce his LG running mate ahead of the primary.
Rep. Sherrill unveiled her ‘Affordability Agenda’.
Senator Bramnick and former Senate President Sweeney discuss their gubernatorial candidacies, according to NJ Spotlight.
Gubernatorial campaigns are dragging on and on, according to NorthJersey.com.
Rep. Gottheimer will have over $8.4M to spend on the primary, according to NJ Globe.
Sean Spiller won’t qualify for the primary debate stage, according to NJ Globe.
Former Senator Durr ended his GOP gubernatorial bid, endorsing Bill Spadea.
Senator Pennacchio endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor.
Senator Wimberly hasn’t yet decided on who to back in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
In LD3, former Assemblywoman Sawyer ended her bid for Assembly, according to NJ Globe.
In LD16, an activist launched a primary challenge to the incumbents, according to NJ Globe.
In LD21, Democrat Macurdy filed petitions for Assembly.
In LD28, Assemblywoman Hall won’t seek re-election, according to NJ Globe; Hall’s departure paves the way for Chigozie Onyema, who defeated Hall at the Essex County Democrats’ convention.
In LD32, Bhalla and Brennan filed petitions for Assembly, according to Hudson County View.
In LD40, Democrat Gates filed petitions to run for Assembly; Ron Arnau, running on Mayor Fulop’s slate, also filed, according to NJ Globe.
Morris County Democrats announced their commission candidates.
Hudson County Democrats endorsed candidates.
Lawmakers proposed a new department for veterans affairs after COVID mistakes, according to NorthJersey.com.
NJ Democratic gubernatorial candidates want to amend the constitution for abortion rights, but legal experts say its ‘unnecessary‘, according to Politico NJ.
Gubernatorial hopefuls say its time to allow home grow cannabis, according to NJ Monitor.
In Atlantic City, the aquarium reopened, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernards, affordable housing plans hit bumps, according to NJ Hills. The new police chief sees ‘tremendous opportunity’, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgeton, city police were honored, according to Burlington County Times.
In Bridgewater, Democrats announced their council candidates.
In Caldwell, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Camden, schools are sending meals home to students fasting for Ramadan, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Cherry Hill, hundreds protested outside a Tesla dealership, according to NJ.com.
In Freehold, voters approved a referendum, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Hackensack, a war hero statue lost its sword years ago, but will soon get another, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hawthorne, the town is considering traffic regulation changes, according to TAPinto.
In Linden, the police earned state accreditation, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Madison, talks started about school staff cuts, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, teenage voters are set to make history, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Old Bridge, more apartments were proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Parsippany, the mayoral race is heating up ahead of the GOP primary.
In Paterson, the city is taking on five revitalization projects, according to Paterson Press.
In Plainfield, the school budget comes with a hefty tax hike, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Princeton, sidewalk kiosks face extinction, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, Ocean County is undecided on a property on Hooper Ave, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Trenton, the Stacy Park saga continues, according to the Trentonian.
In Westfield, Democrats announced their local candidates.
In Wharton, residents are worried about a apartment complex built on a deep abandoned mine, according to NJ.com.
In Woodbridge, Jack Ciattarelli boosted Republicans, according to TAPinto.
AROUND THE WEB:
Donald Trump approval rating today: How does NJ feel about President Trump?
Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK
- Presidential approval polls give insight into how Americans feel about President Donald Trump, who is just over two months into his second term as the nation’s commander in chief. The new round of polls comes as Trump and senior advisor and billionaire Elon Musk work to overhaul the federal government, the latest efforts emerging Monday as the president’s administration urged the Supreme Court to disallow a lower court judge’s order to rehire federal workers.
‘Don’t turn away,’ Kim tells attendees in town hall
PC Robinson, NJ Hills
- If he could ask one question, what would Senator Andy Kim, a Democrat, ask Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr.?
Gannett, The Record Guild agree to contract, avert walkout
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Gannett has avoided a walkout by journalists from three North Jersey newspapers by agreeing to a two-year contract that increases salaries by over 25%. Members of The Record Guild, representing reporters from the Bergen Record, Daily Record, and New Jersey Herald, ratified the contract with 95% of the vote, ending three years of combative negotiations and walkouts.
Longshot Republican says he has enough signatures to reach gubernatorial ballot
Zach Blackburn, NJ Globe
- Justin Barbera, a Republican from Burlington County, said he obtained the 2,500 signatures necessary to reach the Republican gubernatorial primary ballot. Barbera, a contractor by trade, is a relative unknown in the world of New Jersey politics. He ran as a conservative third-party candidate in the 3rd congressional district last November in the race to succeed now-Senator Andy Kim. He finished with 0.3% of the vote. Now-Rep. Herb Conaway Jr. beat his Republican opponent by about 9 percentage points.
Musella Files for Mayor with More than 1,000 Petition Signatures
Frank L. Cahill, Parsippany Focus
- The race for Parsippany-Troy Hills mayor is officially on. Councilman Justin Musella has filed his petition to run for mayor, leading a powerhouse ticket with council candidates Casey (Kaushik) Parikh and John Bielen. Musella stormed Town Hall with over 1,000 signatures from Parsippany residents, signaling strong grassroots momentum behind their campaign.
North Jersey’s rental market is among the hottest in the nation. How it compares to 2024
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- Despite experiencing an end-of-year lull, North Jersey has reclaimed its spot as one of the nation’s most competitive rental markets at the start of 2025. The region ranked third in RentCafe’s early 2025 Hottest Rental Markets report, heating back up after being named the sixth-most competitive market at the end of 2024. North Jersey — consisting of Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Sussex, Hudson and Union counties in the report — ranks behind No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Suburban Chicago.
Presenting the 2025 NJBIZ Health Care Power List
NJBIZ Staff
- New Jersey’s health care sector has undergone extraordinary changes over the past five years. Of course, COVID-19 drove many of the major transformations, particularly in technology. But even as the pandemic continues to fade from our collective consciousness, change continues among the institutions that the state’s residents rely upon for help in avoiding medical problems and for care when issues do arise.
Our guide as NJ marks 50 years since Mount Laurel I court decision on affordable housing
Albina Sportelli, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey’s effort to build affordable housing in every municipality began 50 years ago with a court case. The effort has come full circle as the courts are tasked with ensuring each town builds its “fair share” of affordable units today.
World-class health care is a given in Morris County. Morristown Medical Center must expand | Opinion
Anthony Iacono, Special to the USA TODAY Network
- Morris County is a premier place to live, work and raise a family. One of the key factors contributing to its desirability is access to world-class health care. The proposed $1 billion expansion of Morristown Medical Center is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our community’s quality of life, economic vitality, growth and future well-being.
How will the Delaware River Bridge work impact South Jersey? It may be too soon to tell.
Nick Butler, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- The New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission hosted an open house meeting March 20 to review a tentative timeline for Delaware River Bridge construction.
Marion Filler
- In 1968, Virginia Slims cigarette ads tapped into the growing feminist movement with the unforgettable line: “You’ve come a long way, baby.” Yet women still had a long way to go in the male fiefdoms of law, business, government, medicine and the military.
Assessing drought in the Delaware River Basin is complicated
Meg McGuire, Delaware Currents
- That drought we experienced in the autumn? It’s not over yet, at least for much of the four-state watershed. New York returned to normal status on Jan. 1. So the Delaware River Basin Commission on March 12 voted to extend its Water Supply Emergency resolution (2024-07) to an unspecified date or “when the combined storage in the New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs (including the projected water runoff equivalent of actual snow and ice within the watersheds tributary to the reservoirs) reaches a level 15 billion gallons above the drought watch line… and remains above that level for five consecutive days.”
Trenton City Council President guest oped: Rising Energy Costs Hurts Communities of Color
Yazminelly Gonzalez, Trenton City Council President
- Community service has always been important to my family. While too many people in Trenton struggle to keep up, my father instilled in me the importance of giving back and using our voice to help others. In a state that already has a high cost-of-living, it troubles me that Black and Latino communities in our state face some of the highest energy burdens in our nation. Now, the Bureau of Public Utilities will raise energy rates again on June 1.
Kaleem Shabazz, Press of Atlantic City
- New Jersey has the highest number of affordable housing units that face flooding risks in the United States — a first-place prize we don’t want to win. In Atlantic City, 52% of our affordable housing stock is expected to face annual flooding risks by 2050, according to a Climate Central study.
Sky’s the limit! Jackson Vietnam vet, 89, has taught thousands to fly
Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
- Of the thousands of flights he’s piloted over the past 65 years, Joe Holt recalls two brushes with disaster. One time, he was flying 15 passengers into Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., when smoke began streaming into the cockpit. The landing gear’s front wheel wouldn’t deploy. If the automated system failed to lower the wheels, Plan B was to manually ratchet them down.
Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for March 25, 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics and beyond. The briefing covers a wide range of topics, including updates on legislation, political campaigns, and important events happening in the state.
One of the key highlights of the briefing is the latest updates on the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey. Insider NJ provides detailed analysis of the candidates and their platforms, as well as insights into the latest polling data and campaign strategies. This information is crucial for voters who are looking to make an informed decision in the upcoming election.
In addition to political news, Insider NJ’s briefing also covers important legislative developments in the state. This includes updates on bills being considered by the state legislature, as well as analysis of how these bills could impact New Jersey residents. The briefing also provides information on upcoming hearings and meetings that are open to the public, giving readers the opportunity to get involved in the political process.
Furthermore, Insider NJ’s briefing includes coverage of important events happening in New Jersey, such as community gatherings, town hall meetings, and political rallies. This information is valuable for residents who want to stay informed about what is happening in their local communities and get involved in important issues that affect them.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for March 25, 2025 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in staying informed about the latest news and developments in New Jersey politics. By providing comprehensive coverage of political events, legislative updates, and community happenings, Insider NJ helps readers stay informed and engaged in the political process.
