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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
5 takeaways from the New Jersey primaries
The matchup for New Jersey's gubernatorial race is set, with Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli having won their respective nominations Tuesday. Ciattarelli's victory, after having won the GOP nomination four years ago and gained President Trump's coveted endorsement, seemed all but assured heading into the primary. Sherrill was the slight favorite in a crowded six-person field, but she ultimately prevailed comfortably by a double-digit margin over her next closest competitor. Here are five early takeaways from the Garden State's primaries Tuesday: The Democratic race to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D) seemed wide open throughout most of the months-long primary battle. A half-dozen major candidates with extensive resumes had gotten in the race, and polls consistently showed Sherrill had a slight lead, though within the margin of error. That lead grew somewhat in the race's final weeks, albeit with many voters still undecided and the state's polling being at times shaky in recent years. But results quickly came in after polls closed. As of the latest vote count, Sherrill is on track to win with about 34 percent of the vote, while Newark Mayor Ras Baraka came in second with about 19.5 percent. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who came in third, had high hopes for an upset as he ran an outsider, grassroots campaign trying to buck the political establishment. He sat out each of the state's county nominating conventions, a plurality of which Sherrill won, as he sought to lean into the anti-establishment sentiment seen among the state's Democrats for the past year. But Fulop ultimately was unable to get close to Sherrill's percentage after running a policy-driven progressive campaign. Sherrill is also currently on track to win in most of the state's 21 counties. If there's one name that dominated the GOP primary, it was President Trump. Ciattarelli and his main opponent, former talk radio host Bill Spadea, engaged in a battle for months to prove who was more supportive of Trump's 'MAGA' agenda in order to gain the president's endorsement. A former state Assembly member who narrowly lost the 2021 election by three points to Murphy, Ciattarelli has undergone a significant evolution regarding Trump. He had denounced him when Trump first launched his campaign for the 2016 race, calling him a 'charlatan' and unfit to serve as president. But Ciattarelli moved much closer to Trump as he made another run for governor this year, a change numerous other once-skeptical Republicans have had since Trump first entered politics. He met with Trump at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., earlier this year before Trump endorsed him. Ciattarelli also went after Spadea on a similar argument that he had been critical of Trump and wanted the party to turn elsewhere for its nominee in 2024. Ciattarelli was already well on his way to winning the nomination before Trump's endorsement, having a big lead in the polls and a significant fundraising advantage. But Trump's support essentially clinched it, and the candidates' eagerness for his backing demonstrated the poignancy of his political influence. Ciattarelli is currently on track to win the nomination with about two-thirds of the vote. Beyond the results themselves, Tuesday's primaries were set to be an early test of the political establishment's power in New Jersey after a consequential year for the state in 2024. The longstanding ballot design that featured the 'county line,' in which candidates who received an endorsement from the county party were given a preferential location on the ballot, was struck down as unconstitutional. The federal judge in the case ruled it gave the endorsed candidates an unfair advantage. This happened as Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), who had been a relatively young House member, fended off New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy for the Democratic nomination for an open Senate seat. But the results demonstrated how the political establishment still wields considerable power despite the county line not being in place anymore. One big boost to Sherrill in the Democratic primary was her victory in 10 of the county conventions, all of them in the highly populated North Jersey. Former State Senate President Steve Sweeney is the only one who came close to that total with six, all in South Jersey. Along with the county endorsements, Sherrill enjoyed backing from numerous county officials in the north, as well as two former Democratic governors. Fulop tried to work outside the system, but Sherrill dominated with likely wins in all but two counties that endorsed her and even appears on track to win two or three counties that endorsed Sweeney. The same dynamic also played out on the Republican side, with Ciattarelli overwhelmingly receiving most endorsements from county parties and local officials. Controversy has surrounded Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. for over a year as he's faced a criminal indictment charging him with assault and witness tampering, among other charges. But he seems poised to fend off a primary challenge as he seeks a second full term in office. Prosecutors allege that he and his wife, Atlantic City School District Superintendent La'Quetta Small, physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter. In one incident, they allege the mayor, who has served since 2019, hit his daughter on the head with a broom until she lost consciousness. Small and his wife have pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations, but faced a primary challenge from former casino workers union head Bob McDevitt. Small said ahead of the primary that he trusted that voters knew who he is as a person and didn't think the charges would be a major issue in the race. Issues of public safety and the cleanliness of the city took center stage. Small was on track to win comfortably, with more than 60 percent of the vote, as of the most recent vote count Tuesday evening. Observers' eyes were watching to see if New Jersey's primaries would yield any major surprises, but the results mirror what polling suggested would happen. Despite heavy scrutiny of the polls, having missed how close the 2021 governor's race was and Trump only losing New Jersey by 6 points last year, polling seemed to be mostly on top of where things stood. The most recent polls had Sherrill breaking into the 30s with the other candidates middling well behind her in the teens or lower, and that's roughly where the results seem to be. Ciattarelli led by as much as 30 points in polling with still up to a third undecided, and he's on track to win by even more than that. Now the question will be if Republicans can pull off a major upset in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic governor hopefuls concede race, vow to keep seat in Dem hands
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop conceding defeat in the race for the Democration gubernatorial nomination at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City on June 10, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor) The Democrats who lost their party's nomination for governor to Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday said they will fight to unite the party and keep the governorship in Democrats' hands in November. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told supporters at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark that Democrats have to make sure Sherrill's November opponent, Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, 'does not win.' Initial results show Baraka coming in second place, about 100,000 votes behind Sherrill. 'What we're facing is dangerous and ugly and terrible. And terrible. So we have to bring the party together statewide,' said Baraka. 'We have to keep fighting and pushing and fighting and pushing and fighting and pushing for working-class families. And I keep saying that because I'm from Newark.' Baraka's campaign was jolted in the last month by his arrest by federal agents for trespassing at an ICE jail in Newark, a charge authorities quickly dropped. He described his campaign's progress as proof that working-class people can defy expectations and build a powerful, grassroots movement, adding, 'People didn't think we would make it this far.' 'This is the beginning. It's not the end of anything. We want to build a broad-based coalition across this state of community activists, of union, of labor, of progressives across the state of New Jersey, across zip code and nationality, across religion and how you identify,' Baraka said. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop called Tuesday a 'tough, tough, tough night' while addressing supporters at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City. 'The state is at a crossroads, and although tonight wasn't what we wanted, it's important that we work hard to make sure a Democrat gets elected in November. That's important,' he said. Fulop, who will end his third term as Jersey City mayor this year, said he and his wife would be taking a vacation now that the campaign is over. Fulop first announced his gubernatorial run more than two years ago. 'Life goes on, and we'll continue to fight, make a better Jersey City, and we'll fight for a better state of New Jersey when we're back here,' he said. Sherrill won a resounding victory, nabbing the win in all but five of the state's 21 counties, according to preliminary vote totals. Late Tuesday, she was leading with 34% of the vote, with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in second place with 20%, and Fulop in third with 16%. Rep. Josh Gottheimer won 12%, teachers union president Sean Spiller captured 11%, and former state Sen. Steve Sweeney was in last place with 7%. Gottheimer conceded his loss while speaking on a stage at a union hall in Paramus alongside his family. Gottheimer, who campaigned on a dramatic pledge to reduce property taxes by 15%, said he'll continue to fight for the Fifth Congressional District — which he has represented since 2017 — and will 'never, ever stop fighting to protect Jersey.' Former state Sen. Steve Sweeney said he called Sherrill to congratulate her on her win. 'While the outcome is not what we hoped for, I couldn't be more grateful to every supporter, volunteer, and voter who believed in my campaign and my vision for New Jersey,' he said on social media. In a statement, teachers union president Sean Spiller congratulated Sherrill while also painting his defeat as one at the hands of 'wealthy special interests and insiders.' Spiller's campaign was fueled by the support of an outside group that spent around $40 million boosting his campaign, with funding entirely from a separate super PAC linked to Spiller's union. 'I'm incredibly proud of the work we did to drive forward issues of fairness and affordability and proud of the thousands of grassroots supporters who came together to support our campaign,' Spiller said. Baraka, meanwhile, left the door open to a change in the results. 'Look, the vote's still coming in, y'all. They didn't count Newark, Paterson, or Passaic or any of these places yet. Those votes are still coming in. The night is still early. Listen, we're going to go to sleep and wake up in the morning and see what happens. God bless y'all,' he said. Clerks in Essex and Passaic counties reported Tuesday night that most of the voting precincts in Newark and Passaic had completely reported their results, while many of Paterson's precincts had not yet been reported. Juliana DeFrancesco, 18, was one of Baraka's roughly 160,000 suporters. DeFrancesco, who voted Tuesday at a Ewing community center for only the second time ever, said cast her ballot for Baraka because he has 'a lot of really important social opinions.' 'I think he's a really good, qualified candidate. I like how he speaks, and I like that he stands up for all people, and I think that's really important,' DeFrancesco said. 'That's kind of like what this country was founded on, making sure everybody's equal, everybody has opportunities to get what they want, so I think that's really important.' Dana DiFilippo and Morgan Leason contributed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Live updates of New Jersey Primary Election as Ocean, Monmouth residents head to polls
It's primary day, and that means voters will have their first chance to say who they want to be the next Republican or Democrat candidate for governor. Locally, there are several heated primary races, including the Monmouth County commissioner and clerk race on the Republican side, and the GOP nomination for county clerk. Toms River, Neptune and Colts Neck also have contested races. Check back often as the polls close, and see what happens as you and your neighbors make your voices heard. It was a slow turnout at many polling stations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties earlier in the day. Even in hotly contested Toms River, witnesses reported that there few voters going to the polls. A small line of voters formed at the Red Bank Library in the afternoon. A shuttle from The Atrium at Navesink Harbor on Riverside Avenue was transporting some voters to the polling place. -David P. Willis With about eight hours until polls close, Jersey City Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Steve Fulop stopped by The Pickled Herring in Marlboro to chat with supporters and grab lunch. Fulop said that he was 'excited, nervous, stressed, anxious and all the other adjectives' about the day that is ultimately the culmination of his more than two year campaign to represent his party on ballots in this fall's gubernatorial election. 'I'm optimistic and hopeful but ultimately it's in the voters hands now,' he said. 'The response has been good.' Other candidates on the Democratic side also spent the morning doing some last-minute campaigning, including Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, who greeted rail commuters at stations in Essex and Bergen Counties respectively. Republican Jack Ciattarelli spent the afternoon with supporters at a Raritan pizza parlor. John Bramnick worked the room at a YMCA fundraiser in Westfield on Monday night. Fulop said that he expects there will be a decision tonight or at least a clear indicator in the six way Democratic primary for the state's top elected office. As for that lunch order? Fulop said he was going with matzo ball soup and would defer to Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik for anything to go with it. -Katie Sobko TOMS RIVER — Under normal circumstances, an election for the New Jersey Republican State Committee would garner little attention. Related: This feud between Ocean County GOP boss, Toms River mayor is roiling local politics But on Monday night, hundreds of Ocean County GOP committee members voted at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena on the campus of Toms River High School North for the county's two representatives to replace incumbents Jack Kelly and Virginia E. Haines, who are also both outgoing county commissioners. Each county gets two representatives to serve on the state committee — one man and one woman, who both must be registered Republicans — for a term of four years. The state committee is the sole Republican organization in New Jersey and is empowered by law to manage and fund the party on a statewide level. More: Ocean County commissioner is last to go in GOP boss's purge of disloyalists from board However, a political battle over Ocean County's two seats resulted when a challenge was made to county GOP Chairman George R. Gilmore's picks: county Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Robert Arace. The pair ultimately prevailed with Bacchione receiving 251 votes and Arace receiving 247 votes. Anne Hammill-Pasqua, an attorney and president of Republicans of Toms River, the unofficial Republican Club in the township, and Michael Thulen Jr., a former Point Pleasant councilman, campaigned for the state committee themselves. Thulen received 101 votes and Hammill-Pasqua received 85 votes. In a move that surprised her fellow county commissioners, Haines publicly endorsed Thulen and Hammill-Pasqua to succeed her and Kelly. Both Haines and Kelly will be leaving the Board of Commissioners at the end of their current terms on Dec. 31. - Erik Larsen The Ocean County Board of Elections received a letter from the state instructing it to reject 22 mail-in ballots for the primary election, but board Chairman George Gilmore said it will not automatically discount those ballots without first contacting those voters and offering them an opportunity go before judge to challenge the rejection. "The Election Board got a state form letter saying they (the voters) changed their party registration at (the Division of) Motor Vehicles,'' Gilmore said. The chairman, however, said there have been reports of glitches in the DMV's voter registration system. "We are just not going to reject all 22 ballots,'' he said. Gilmore said the board will first notify the affected voters that the state claims they changed their party registration at the DMV. "If they say they did, then fine, we can't count their ballots,'' Gilmore said. "If they say, no, they didn't, then we're going to tell them they have the right to go before a judge. "I'm not going to vote to disenfranchise somebody of their right to go before a judge,'' he said. Any potential hearings would likely not take place on primary election day, but would have to be completed before June 20, the deadline for the board to certify the election results, Gilmore said. -Kathleen Hopkins Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Primary election updates: Ocean County, Monmouth County results, news
CBS News
03-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
How and when to vote early in New Jersey 2025 primary election
New Jersey residents are getting ready to vote for a new governor in the June 2025 primary elections. Today is the first day of early voting ahead of election day. Here's everything to know about when and where to vote early in the Garden State. Early voting in New Jersey New Jersey is holding six days of early voting, from Tuesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 8. Polls open at 10 a.m. every day and will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Early voting sites can be different from Election Day locations, so be sure to find yours ahead of time online here. Election Day is Tuesday, June 10. Whoever wins the democratic and republican primaries will go on to the general election in November. Who's running for governor of New Jersey? As Murphy's time in office comes to a close, several candidates are running to replace him. The democratic candidates include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller and former State Senate President Stephen Sweeney. The republican side includes state Sen. Jon Bramnick, businessman Justin Barbera, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and former radio and TV host Bill Spadea. Both primaries will be held on June 10, followed by the general election on Nov. 4. Stick with CBS News New York and Political Reporter Marcia Kramer for the latest developments and expert analysis in the race.
Politico
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Who's the boss?
Good Friday morning! Who's the boss? Steve Fulop, according to George Norcross' super PAC. American Representative Majority this month began blanketing South Jersey with mailers. The group is targeting Fulop-aligned South Jersey Assembly candidates challenging mostly incumbents backed by the South Jersey Democratic machine. 'A North Jersey party boss is funding his own candidates in South Jersey elections,' reads one of them, which shows a stream of money flowing across the state from roughly the location of Jersey City to the 4th Legislative District, where Fulop-backed candidates Brian Everett and Vonetta Hawkins are challenging incumbent Democrats Cody Miller and Dan Hutchison. The PAC is also sending out positive mailers about Miller and Hutchison. I've also seen mailers attacking Evesham Councilmember Eddie Freeman, who's challenging the Democratic party-backed candidates in the 8th District, including Assemblymember Andrea Katz. They include a big red arrow pointing to a photo of Steve Fulop that says 'Now he's running with a North Jersey Party Boss backing him.' Meanwhile, the Camden City Democratic Committee, which of course is not permitted to coordinate with super PACs, sent out a mailer going after a Fulop-backed slate of Camden council candidates for 'supporting North Jersey Party Boss Steve Fulop for Governor.' Just like the mailer going after the 8th District Fulop candidates, the Camden mailer not only used the same language about Fulop but even needlessly capitalized the words 'party boss.' You can see how strong the law is that bars super PACs from coordinating with campaigns. None of the mailers I've seen are aimed at helping longtime Norcross ally Steve Sweeney, a Fulop rival for governor. Sweeney has his own super PAC. Interestingly, the one funded by the Camden Democrats actually criticizes the Assembly candidates for being 'against Mayor Vic Carstarphen and Ras Baraka for Governor.' (Carstarphen endorsed Baraka.) I don't know how much money American Representative Majority is putting into this effort. The good news is that the 11-day preelection reports for PACs are due today. So far, super PACs backing almost every gubernatorial candidate in both primaries have spent tens of millions combined in the election, but today is the first time we'll get solid info about who's funding them. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Lakewood at 11 a.m. to talk about Medicaid QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Josh is too short to be governor.' — Teaneck Councilmember Mike Pagan, on Josh Gottheimer, supposedly joking HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Owen Henry, Jeanne Fox, Sue Nemeth. Saturday for Amy Pfeiffer. Sunday for Phil Angarone, Muhammed Akil WHAT TRENTON MADE FORTRESS OF SQUALORTUDE — 'From 'fortress' to palace, work on N.Y.C.'s massive new Port Authority Bus Terminal begins,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'Long suffering bus commuters who've trudged through the dreary, aging Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan had reasons to be cheerful Thursday with the ceremonial tossing of dirt to build a $10 billion replacement. The ground breaking, presided over by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, concludes an 11-year process to build a $10 billion replacement for the aging bus terminal on the same site while continuing to serve commuters and travelers. At the ceremony held on a lot near the existing terminal on 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, officials spoke about their high expectations for the new bus terminal. 'When you take the bus in, I want everyone to have a wow factor when they come in,' Hochul said.' STOP. GOTTHAMMER TIME — 'Money talks: A legendary N.J. fundraiser never lost an election. But will his superpower be enough this time?' by NJ Advance Media's AJ McDougall: 'Even his fiercest critics will admit: Josh Gottheimer knows how to work a room. It's arguably the skill that has bestowed upon him perhaps his greatest asset as a New Jersey congressman: his staggeringly large war chest. The one that put him heads and shoulders above the other 434 members of the House of Representatives last year with the most cash on hand ($20.7 million — $3 million more than the next richest legislator). The one that has scared off any would-be primary challengers in his district for the past four years. The one that earned him the nickname 'The Human Fundraising Machine.' Fundraising dominance is not the flashiest political weapon, nor does it make you bulletproof. … It can even be a liability — particularly in a gubernatorial race where your Democratic opponents are hinting you might be beholden to Wall Street. But fundraising is still a superpower, and one that has worked for the 50-year-old Gottheimer.' THE BLUDGEOT — 'Gov. Phil Murphy is proposing 'unexpected and devastating' cuts to a major South Jersey health center that treats abused children, advocates warn,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Alfred Lubrano: 'A major South Jersey health center that treats children who are the victims of neglect or abuse will have its funding eliminated in Gov. Phil Murphy's proposed 2026 budget, which advocates say will threaten the mental and physical well-being of young people in seven counties. At a time when Medicaid as well as national public health and research programs face spending reductions under President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress, New Jersey's Democratic governor's proposed cuts to the Rowan-Virtua CARES Institute further jeopardize the social safety net for children and families, according to its director Rachel Silliman Cohen.' SOULJA VOID — 'Stand With Crypto removes Soulja Boy from NJ governor rally after discovering sexual assault fine,' by Coindesk's Nikhilesh De: 'Rapper Soulja Boy will no longer perform at Stand With Crypto's 'get out the vote' event in Jersey City next week due to a court finding him liable for sexual battery and assault, a spokesperson told CoinDesk on Thursday … An external spokesperson for Stand With Crypto said in a statement that the organization was 'not aware of the recent legal developments involving Soulja Boy.' 'Given this information, we have removed him from our event lineup. 070 Shake will still perform at our June 5th rally and we look forward to bringing together New Jersey's crypto community to demonstrate the political power of crypto voters ahead of the gubernatorial primary,' according to the statement.' YOU GO, GURAL — 'What will it take for New Jersey racetracks to get the go-ahead to add casinos?' by Casino Reports' John Brennan: 'A New Jersey bill that is designed to allow the construction of casinos at the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park was introduced this month by two Democrat state senators, Paul Sarlo and Vin Gopal. But the language of the proposal could change greatly between now and the targeted statewide referendum that could be on the ballot in November 2026. 'This bill is designed to allow us to start the conversation,' said Monmouth Park racetrack operator Dennis Drazin … Drazin said that while [Meadowlands Racetrack owner Jeff] Gural is determined to have a full-fledged casino at the Meadowlands, one possible compromise — if necessary — would be to feature only slot machines at his Monmouth County site. Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct are called 'racinos' because they currently follow that model of offering slot machine play but not traditional table games. Gural — who personally spent $5 million on the ill-fated 2016 casino effort — remains convinced that a question regarding opening a casino at his track in East Rutherford would be approved.' — AP: 'Wrangling in New Jersey primaries tests messaging on Trump for November and beyond' — WAPO: 'This state swung toward Trump. But now Democrats want a governor to fight him' — 'How do N.J. governor candidates stand on immigration enforcement? Here's what all 11 told us' — 'Here's how the Democrats running to be governor say they'll make New Jersey more affordable' — 'Teens are brawling at malls, carnivals and the Shore. These N.J. laws would combat it' TRUMP ERA NEVERMIND — 'Ocean County commissioners walk back concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts,' by the Asbury Park Press' Erik Larsen: 'Ocean County commissioners on Wednesday softened their previous criticism of planned changes to Medicaid in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' a week after the GOP-led legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Residents packed a public meeting of the Board of Commissioners on May 21 to complain about proposed cuts to Medicaid in the bill … Commissioner Jack Kelly, board director, even said he would introduce a resolution to formalize the board's opposition to Medicaid cuts, which is still expected to be adopted at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, June 4 … Over the past week, two commissioners said their concerns about Medicaid cuts in the bill had been assuaged by the county's two congressmen — Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, both Republicans who voted for the legislation. In conversations with the congressmen after their votes, Commissioners Jennifier Bacchione and Virginia E. Haines said they were assured that the Medicaid changes would target only waste, abuse and fraud — not anyone who addressed the county commission meeting last week.' — 'Northfield Democrat will run to take on Jeff Van Drew' — 'NJ in thick of fight against Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship' — 'Pride, and prejudice: What happens to marriage equality now in NJ and nation?' LOCAL NOW STREAMING: LUIS VELEZ — 'Why was the body cam video muted at the scene of a Paterson councilman's car crash?' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'The police body camera video from the scene of Councilman Luis Velez's May 12 auto crash contained 27 minutes of footage for which the audio was muted, including at least one instance in which Velez was speaking in the police officer's presence. Neither Paterson police nor City Hall officials provided an explanation for the extensive muting of the crash scene recording, which ran for 33 minutes and 49 seconds. The portion that was muted amounted to about 80% of the footage from the scene of the collision involving Velez. The other driver, Knolaisha Washington of Paterson, has said she believes Velez was drunk at the time of the 1:43 a.m. crash, which she asserted was caused by the councilman going through a red light at the intersection of Madison and 12th avenues … The video from the crash scene begins with the audio on as Velez is describing the crash to the officer. The fact that the video provided by city officials begins with the sound turned on is highly unusual.' McCOMBING THE COUNTRY — 'Camden school district announces plans to search for new superintendent,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Melanie Burney: 'The Camden school district plans to conduct a national search for a new schools chief to replace outgoing Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs. The search is scheduled to begin in June and take months, the district said in an announcement. A new superintendent is expected to start in November. State Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer will select the new superintendent with approval from the state Board of Education. The Camden school advisory board has no say. For the first time since the state took control of Camden schools in 2013, there will be a search for a superintendent, and it will include a survey and community forums for residents to give input.' SILENCED BY THE LAMB — 'No tax increase in Toms River budget; mayor slams rival as 'far left liberal socialist',' by the Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'Councilimember Justin Lamb called for a five-minute recess in the middle of the meeting after Deacon Ted Foley, archdeacon in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, began questioning the council and mayor about an ordinance introduced last month that would allow the township to acquire — or seize via eminent domain — three private marinas, a plot of vacant land, and the 11-acre Christ Episcopal Church property. The mayor envisions a downtown park on the church land, including a soccer field, pickleball courts, a skatepark and a playground. [Councilmember Tom] Nivison said that [Mayor Dan] Rodrick was attempting to seize the church because he was upset about a proposal to build a 17-bed overnight shelter for the homeless on the church property … When Foley tried to continue his questioning, Lamb told him his time was up and asked for the next speaker to come up. Speakers at council meetings are allowed three minutes to ask questions or make comments to the council. When Foley did not sit down, Lamb at first asked that police officers in the crowd remove him, and then instead called for a recess.' — 'Chaos erupts at Toms River council meeting, as the fight to save church continues' — 'Governor backs Jimmy Davis for Hudson sheriff over incumbent' — 'Girlfriend of NJ councilwoman's accused killer testifies: He gave me gun' — 'Solomon announces citywide plan to combat homelessness in Jersey City' EVERYTHING ELSE SETON HELL — 'Alleged 'severe hazing, abuse and misconduct': Seton Hall hit with lawsuit over baseball program,' by the Asbury Park Press' Jerry Carino: 'Seton Hall University, already embroiled in two lawsuits involving its previous president and an archdiocese-ordered investigation into its current one, was hit with another lawsuit Wednesday — this by a former baseball player who filed a complaint in federal court alleging 'severe hazing, abuse and misconduct' endured as a freshman in the program during August and September of 2024. The lawsuit by plaintiff 'John Doe,' obtained by Gannett New Jersey, names the Seton Hall University, its head baseball coach Rob Sheppard, and three former teammates.' I SURVIVED THE JELLY ESCAPE OF 2025 — 'Black bear escapes enclosure at Turtle Back Zoo, but didn't get far,' by NJ Advance Media's Stephanie Loder: 'A Turtle Back Zoo's black bear named 'Jelly' temporarily escaped her enclosure on Thursday morning through an unlocked gate before the zoo opened to the public. The 20-year-old bear walked through an unlocked gate at the West Orange zoo and was discovered by staff in less than five minutes, according to a statement issued zoo official. Jelly didn't get far. The black bear was just a few feet from her enclosure in an area that is not accessible to the public, zoo officials said.' MURPHY PLEDGES TOUGH NEW LINEN CONTROL MEASURES — 'Improperly secured linens at Bergen hotel caused guest injury in fall from bed, suit says,' by The Record's Kaitlyn Kanzler: 'A guest at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe is accusing the hotel of improperly securing sheets, causing the mattress to shift and her to fall on the floor and injure herself. Michigan residents Carol Rosenberg and her husband, David Ellison, filed a lawsuit saying that during their May 2023 stay, Rosenberg slid out of bed and was injured while sleeping in a 'handicap accessible' room. The lawsuit says the mattress shifted off the box spring or base and Rosenberg fell, hitting her nightstand with her head, face and neck before landing on the floor, hitting her back, legs and arms. The suit alleges that the hotel was neglectful and improperly maintained the room by failing to place the sheets properly or by using sheets that weren't the correct size.' — '[Hackensack-Meridian] nurse alleges in lawsuit he was fired for pro-Palestinian speech' — 'New Jersey's largest nurses union warns of a possible strike if hospitals don't provide safe staffing ratios' — 'Rutgers-Newark's new chancellor is a cyber tech expert'
