As busloads of New Jersey volunteers roar across the river to help the cause of Kamala Harris in a battleground state, 2025 gubernatorial drama continues to simmer under the surface of 2024.
Candidate Sean Spiller, who heads the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), oversaw plopping
some money into CD-7, where Democratic challenger Sue Altman tries to pick off incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-7) in the most competitive NJ congressional race of the season. Spiller has also helped furnish door pounders and volunteers in the battleground netherworld of Pennsylvania.
Very engaged, Spiller – at the very least – is showing that whoever else wants to win the 2025 Democratic Primary for governor will have to go through him, or at least will have a better ground game ultimately if he or she goes through him. In addition, Spiller can presumably extract NJEA-favorable policy promises from a prospective rival who gains an edge on him but who will still benefit from having his support. As for backing Altman, he picks up more than a busload of love from her impassioned Central Jersey supporters, who won’t forget who showed up in the clutch with Kean on the ropes.
Against the backdrop of the Kean Campaign hammering Altman over her past since-deleted tweets offensive to police, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) made clear his support for law and order.
From InsiderNJ Columnist Fred Snowflack:
Gottheimer, who has represented CD-5 ranging across northern New Jersey for eight years,
estimated that he has delivered about $65 million in grants to police and for public safety in general. That includes money for bulletproof vests, fire equipment and many other police needs. “You have to invest, you can’t defund,” Gottheimer said.
That’s Gottheimer doing a couple of things.
First, he’s running for reelection, of course, in a leafy suburban district. He’s got to look alive. Second, he shows Democrats that whatever the outcome on Nov. 5th, he’s prepared to be a pragmatic voice in the Democratic Primary and that guy genuinely tested in general elections who won’t get kayoed by his own deleted twitter feed. He’s also reminding state Senator Brian P. Stack (D-33) that he he’s a tough, no-nonsense real-world guy who backs police, unlike liberals who will inevitably lurch leftward next year. Gottheimer has to keep an eye on North Hudson as Middlesex and Essex appear closer together and likely to support U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11).
Already announced statewide candidate Newark Mayor Ras Baraka staged an October rally for Kamala Harris with Queen Latifah. He also peppers public remarks with vigorous support for Harris. Over the summer: “I’m listening to people call Kamala Harris the DEI [diversity, equality, inclusion] president and it’s really seriously racist and disheartening,” the Newark mayor told a house party of Somerset African American business owners at a downtown event.
Not to be outdone by Essex in a show of common party
cause on behalf of Harris, Middlesex County Democratic Committee Executive Director Iris Delgado heads up the Harris-Walz Campaign in New Jersey. The state director job consists of coordinating voter outreach into neighboring battleground Pennsylvania and other presidential election-contentious states.
Senator Steve Santarsiero (D), who chairs the Bucks County Democratic Party, this week noted the significant presence of volunteers knocking on doors on his turf on behalf of Harris, both from Bucks County and New Jersey. A resident for over two decades of Bucks, Santarsiero hails from Essex County, incidentally – Verona, in fact – as another New Jersey busload of volunteers rumbles westward amid immediate national impact battleground state focus enmeshed with 2025 symbols and signs that fiercely quietly override the basically moribund slow-motion collision of Andy Kim (pictured, top) versus Curtis Bashaw in Jersey.
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On October 15th, 2021, two of the biggest names in the world of mixed martial arts, Kim and Bashaw, are set to face off in a highly anticipated event in Pennsylvania. With fans from all over the country eagerly awaiting this showdown, many are wondering if residents of neighboring New Jersey will make the trip to attend the event.
New Jersey has a strong MMA fan base, with many dedicated followers of the sport residing in the state. With Pennsylvania being just a short drive away, it is likely that a significant number of New Jersey residents will make the journey to witness Kim and Bashaw go head-to-head.
One factor that may influence the decision of New Jersey residents to attend the event is the current COVID-19 situation. With restrictions and guidelines varying from state to state, some fans may be hesitant to travel to Pennsylvania for the event. However, with proper safety measures in place and the event being held in a controlled environment, many MMA enthusiasts may feel comfortable attending.
Another consideration for New Jersey residents is the excitement surrounding this particular matchup. Kim and Bashaw are both highly skilled fighters with impressive records, and their clash is expected to be a thrilling and intense battle. For fans of the sport, this is an event that simply cannot be missed.
In addition, attending live MMA events offers a unique and exciting experience that cannot be replicated by watching from home. The energy of the crowd, the adrenaline of being ringside, and the thrill of seeing top fighters in action all contribute to the appeal of attending live events.
Overall, it is likely that many residents of New Jersey will make the trip to Pennsylvania to attend the Kim v. Bashaw event. With a strong MMA fan base in the state, the allure of this highly anticipated matchup, and the unique experience of attending live events, it is sure to be a memorable and exciting night for all who make the journey.
