Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Don’t bet against a team [John Currie] put together.” – Passaic County Commissioner Bartlett
TOP STORY: GOP Primary Voters Stick it to Trump in NJ
New Jersey voters have fewer protections than New York voters, according to NJ Monitor.
A lawyer says that Senator Menendez advocated for his ally’s company because it was ‘good for New Jersey’, according to NJ Monitor. With an independent candidacy, Menendez looms over the election, according to NJ Spotlight. A FBI agent detailed the surveillance of the Senator, according to NJ.com.
A judge will decide the fate of 1,800 Atlantic County ballots that were opened too soon, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Rep. Van Drew’s legislation to rename two post offices for local heroes was passed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: Murphy’s approval rating 46%; Gottheimer touted high-speed internet; thousands gathered for Trump rally, Van Drew welcomed Trump, who said ‘we’re going to win’ NJ, will ‘shut down deadly sanctuary cities‘ made endorsement of Serrano Glassner; Fulop celebrates reservoir trail
The primary featured collisions in both parties.
Rep. Kim emerged victorious in the Democratic Senate primary.
Republican Curtis Bashaw won the GOP Senate primary, a race with national implications. Bashaw had an early lead over chief rival Christine Serrano Glassner, who was endorsed by former President Trump, and had touted the endorsement in the final hours of the race.
In a key test for party organizations, Chief Thomas Adamo won the Passaic County sheriff’s primary race, defeating rival former Sheriff Speziale; the PCDC-backed commissioner candidates also prevailed, in a big win for Chairman Currie’s Democratic organization. Speziale thanked his supporters, but hasn’t conceded yet, sayin there are ‘more votes to be counted’, according to NJ.com.
In CD2, Alexander and Salerno are in a tight race to challenge Rep. Van Drew, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In CD3, Assemblyman Conaway won the primary battle to succeed Rep. Kim, now the Democratic Senate candidate. Conaway had an early lead and emerged the winner.
In CD8, Rep. Menendez prevailed in his primary battle with Hoboken Mayor Bhalla. Menendez expressed confidence in the morning, touting his track record. Menendez won on the strength of North Hudson turnout, according to Hudson County View.
President Biden and former President Trump won their primaries in the state, according to NJ.com.
Thousands of NJ Dems voted ‘uncommitted’ to voice frustration with President Biden’s support for Israel, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
NJ primary voters had reservations about Trump and Bidne, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Here are some key takeaways from the primary, according to Politico NJ.
ICYMI: Potential Menendez replacement names; Crispi wants Trump GOP loyalty pledge; Bashaw says Kim ‘not a strong candidate‘; key races to watch; Baraka clear choice for guv for Newark; Kim teamed up w/ Altman; Mastrangelo back on team; Passaic candidates clash as time tick down; Trump endorsement spices up GOP Senate primary; Durr looks to recapture magic; in CD3, Dems debated; Crispi’s star rising; Dem Senate candidates debated; Ocean GOP backing Bashaw; Sherrill took aggressive approach to Trump rally; in CD10, contenders filed to run; CD10 names, Armstead collecting signatures; Vainieri endorsed Guy for HCDO chair; Fulop held town hall; Glassner looking to pull Bashaw into fight; as Passaic intensifies, Speziale endorsed by Fulop; Murphy addressed campus unrest; Malinowski eying chair of Hunterdon Dems; Fulop launching down-ballot effort
In Bloomfield, Councilwoman Mundell prevailed in the mayoral primary against interim Mayor Gamble.
In Perth Amboy, Mayor Caba prevailed in the Democratic primary.
In Atlantic City, Mayor Small said critics are racist in a Facebook post, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Boonton, a fire damaged former Governor Codey’s funeral home, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Bridgewater, resolutions were approved to pay for turf fields, according to TAPinto.
In Camden, Rutgers is spending $60M to renovate a streetscape, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Fairfield, the town moved to outlaw Airbnbs and bamboo planting, according to TAPinto.
In Highland Park, the next phase of the downtown redevelopment will be unveiled, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hoboken, the council will form a committee to investigate how the ‘Pellegrini memo’ was leaked, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Howell, there’s a close GOP race for mayor, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Moorestown, a lake is looking better, according to Burlington County Times.
In Neptune, the Dems split, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Paterson, the police union called a arbitrator ruling stifling, according to Paterson Press. The city wants more state aid to offset property tax increases, according to Paterson Press.
In Plainfield, McRae and Hockaday won the Democratic primary, according to TAPinto.
In Pleasantville, there’s a close race for the Democratic nod to run for mayor, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Randolph, a police captain was named to a council seat, according to the Daily Record.
In Readington, the GOP incumbents won the primary, according to TAPinto.
In Somerville, one of the busiest streets is closing for a month, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Spring Lake Heights, the town is setting a wireless ordinance to gain control from some 5G carriers, according to TAPinto.
In Tewksbury, an animal control ordinance was reintroduced, according to NJ Hills.
In Toms River, the mayor passed a first key election test, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Warren, the hiring of a forensic IT vendor was questioned by residents, according to NJ Hills. Croson and Blick won the GOP primary, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, a Paterson contractor is suing the school district in a bidding dispute, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Wildwood Crest, some primary voters received Wildwood ballots, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: In White, warehouse five-year fight over; in Paterson, Mendez declared victory; Velez won; Abdelaziz won; in Montclair, Baskerville won mayoralty; in Orange, Mayor Warren secured re-election; in Irvington, Vauss’ allies swept; guide to municipal elections; in Annandale, ongoing book battle; in New Brunswick, freedom of press case may go to state SC; in Roxbury, BOE decision to rescind transgender protections
AROUND THE WEB:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is having a rough year | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- I admit I laughed. When I read the news I laughed to myself and when I saw the memes and wisecracks that followed, I had to laugh out loud. I suspect some of you did, too.
Three GOP challengers debate on Trump, Ukraine, flooding in bid to oppose Mikie Sherrill
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
- Three Republicans hoping to unseat Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District offered a sharp conservative contrast to the three-term Democrat during an online debate Tuesday presented by the Morristown Area League of Women Voters.
It’s not just Gaza. Israel’s aggression on the West Bank is a disgrace, too. | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- With the world’s attention fixed on the Gaza Strip, Jewish settlers in the West Bank are making their move, taking more land from Palestinians, burning their homes and farms, beating and even killing those who won’t move, and openly breaking laws that were designed to restrain them. All of this while Israeli police and soldiers stand by watching, as silent accomplices.
PHOTOS: ‘Remembering And Honoring’ Mayor And State Senator Glenn Cunningham
Daniel Israel, TAPinto.net
- The Jersey City Free Public Library, in conjunction with Mayor Steven Fulop, recently held a tribute to the late Mayor and State Senator Glenn Cunningham.
Governor Phil Murphy Honored With Namesake Marijuana Strain
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- You can now literally smoke Gov. Phil Murphy in the Garden State. Cultivators at Prolific Growhouse in Mount Holly have named a new strain of weed after Murphy. Owners say they wanted to thank Murphy for his leadership in legalizing cannabis in New Jersey for both medicinal and recreational use. The new strain, named Murphy’s Sourz, is a blend of Sour OG and Tangine marijuana strains, according to the owners of Prolific Growhouse.
PSE&G customers could receive 6% gas bill reduction
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- PSE&G recently submitted a proposal with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) that would lower gas bills for residential customers by 6.1%, effective Oct. 1. The plan calls for a reduction of the Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) rate by almost 7 cents per therm to approximately 32.8 cents per therm. According to PSE&G, that proposed reduction as well as a small increase to the Balancing Charge rate will result in an overall customer bill reduction. PSE&G said a typical residential customer will realize a net 6.1% average monthly savings.
Last-minute deals for nurses at 2 hospitals; strike still possible at Palisades Medical
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- The 750 or so health care workers at Palisades Medical Center are now working without a contract. Local 5030 of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union was unable to reach a deal with Hackensack Meridian Health, which owns the hospital in North Bergen, by a May 31 deadline.
Trenton’s Hetzel Field and George Page Park need much more attention
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Meteorologists employ interesting props and accessories during weather reports — waders and rugged boots for floods or window scrapers and shovels for snow storms. Still, nothing beats an extended tape measure pressed into growing blankets of snow or rising waters. The measuring device came in handy last weekend to determine the height of weeds at Hetzel Field baseball diamonds.
Egg Harbor Township farm is sowing the seeds of environmental and food justice
Isaac Linsk, Press of Atlantic City
- Cookie Till wants to change farming and food in South Jersey. “Going to a farm, buying organic produce, seeing the farmer, seeing the farm — that is what I wish for everybody,” Till said.
It’s no joke: Shortage of plumbers could clog up economy
Samantha DeAlmeida Roman, Associated Builders and Contractors
- It’s no secret that the U.S. and New Jersey are facing a skilled labor shortage, with longtime trade workers on the brink of retirement and a significant deficiency of new workers in the pipeline. In fact, the construction industry is looking to recruit half a million workers this year to balance supply and demand, according to recent report by Associated Builders and Contractors. One skilled trade is in particularly high demand — plumbers.
NJ executive used pro-Trump newspaper to launder $67M, feds say
Associated Press
- The chief financial officer of The Epoch Times, a conservative multinational media company, is accused of taking part in a multi-year scheme to launder tens of millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and other funds, according to an indictment unsealed Monday. Arrested on Sunday, Weidong “Bill” Guan, 61, of Secaucus, appeared Monday before a federal judge in New York on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering and bank fraud. He pleaded not guilty.
Top public golf courses in New Jersey that you can’t miss: 2024 GolfWeek rankings
Asbury Park Press
- New Jersey, though one of the smallest states, boasts some of the most acclaimed public golf courses in the country. The Garden State’s reputation for public golf courses stems from a combination of factors.
Emmy Award-winning actress behind new billboards against antisemitism in Manalapan, Hazlet
Ilana Keller, Asbury Park Press
- New billboards in Manalapan and Hazlet are part of a nationwide response to rising antisemitism. The O7C (October 7 Coalition), a nonprofit founded by actress Patricia Heaton, JewBelong, a national nonprofit organization that fights antisemitism and makes Judaism accessible, and thePhilos Project, a nonprofit that seeks to promote positive Christian engagement in the Near East, are putting up four billboards in New Jersey, the organizations said.
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for June 5, 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in the state of New Jersey. This daily briefing is a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay informed about the political, economic, and social landscape of the Garden State.
One of the key highlights from today’s briefing is the announcement of a new infrastructure project that will bring much-needed improvements to the state’s transportation system. Governor Smith unveiled plans for a major overhaul of the state’s highways and bridges, which will create jobs and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
In addition to infrastructure updates, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing also covers important political news. Today, there is a focus on upcoming elections and the latest polling data. This information is crucial for voters who want to make informed decisions at the ballot box.
Another important aspect of the briefing is its coverage of economic trends and business news. Today, there is a report on the state’s unemployment rate, which has dropped to its lowest level in years. This is a positive sign for the economy and indicates that businesses are thriving in New Jersey.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for June 5, 2024 is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments in the state of New Jersey. Whether you are a resident, business owner, or politician, this daily briefing provides valuable insights and analysis that can help you navigate the complex landscape of New Jersey politics and economics.
