Latest news with #SteveSweeney
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney tapped to serve as Rowan University trustee
Former state Senate President Steve Sweeney will soon have a new addition to his resume — Rowan University trustee. The longtime state senator and former gubernatorial hopeful was cleared by the state Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning for a post on the Rowan University Board of Trustees. Sweeney, a Gloucester County Democrat, announced his run for the 2025 Democratic gubernatorial primary in December 2023. He lost earlier this month to Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-Montclair. During his tenure as state senate president, some of the legislation that passed included bills that increased New Jersey's minimum wage and expanded family leave. He lost his seat in the Legislature, a shocking upset in 2021 by an unknown truck driver, now former state Sen. Ed Durr. From Trenton: NJ appears poised to hike sales tax on cigarettes, vapes in final state budget for 2026 Sweeney served as Senate president for 12 years. Since his loss in 2021, he has been the director of a bipartisan think tank at Rowan University. Before his time in Trenton, Sweeney was a member of the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Professionally, Sweeney is an ironworker and serves as general vice president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, overseeing union locals in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Sweeney crossed party lines to work with former Gov. Chris Christie in 2011 to raise the retirement age and teamed up with him again to charge workers more for pensions, which brought tens of thousands of workers to protest in Trenton. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@ This article originally appeared on Steve Sweeney to become Rowan University trustee NJ
CBS News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New Jersey governor's race heats up: What one political expert is watching in Tuesday's primary
New Jerseyans will pick a new governor in 2025 to replace the term-limited Democrat Phil Murphy. That process starts Tuesday with the state's primary election, when voters from both parties sift through crowded fields to nominate their candidates. We spoke with Professor Kristoffer Shields, director of the Eagleton Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University, to find out what he's watching in this primary election. Democratic primary race is 'unique' The field of candidates on both sides of this race is jam-packed. Six Democrats and five Republicans are vying for the governor's seat. But while both sides have crowded races, Shields said there's something in the Democratic primary that stands out. "The number of candidates who have a really legitimate chance of winning on Tuesday make this stand out more so than any primary since maybe going back to 1981," Shields said. The race for the Democratic nomination features two members of Congress (Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Mikie Sherrill), mayors of two of the largest cities in the state (Ras Baraka of Newark, Steve Fulop of Jersey City), the head of one of the most powerful unions in the state (Sean Spiller of the New Jersey Education Association), and the longest-tenured state Senate president in New Jersey history (former Sen. Steve Sweeney). "I would not call it a surprise for any of the six to win on Tuesday night," Shields said. READ MORE: Where do you vote for New Jersey's 2025 primary election? Find your polling location The candidates range the political spectrum from moderate to liberal, and they have spent the past few months courting various groups of voters. Shields says while Sherrill has led in the sparse polling available, it hasn't been by much, and everyone else appears to be within striking distance. It's a race where landing 30% of the vote might take it, and one in which Shields said the winner will likely be the one who actually gets their supporters to the polls. "Whoever does that most efficiently and effectively probably wins amongst the Democrats," Shields said. There's a frontrunner in the GOP, but not a lock Garden State Republicans also have a crowded field to choose from, with five candidates vying for the party nomination. But unlike the Democrats', Shields believes there's a frontrunner here in Jack Ciattarelli. "I do think that if he were to ultimately lose on Tuesday night, it would be considered a surprise at this point," Shields said. Ciattarelli is making his third run for the governor's seat, having won the GOP nomination in 2021 and coming within 3.5% of incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy. The former state assemblyman also landed the endorsement of President Trump in May. But Shields wouldn't go as far as to say it's Ciattarelli's race to lose. Three of the other Republicans in the race (contractor Justin Barbera, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and radio host Bill Spadea) have been closely aligned with Mr. Trump, and the last (state Sen. Jon Bramnick) has positioned himself as a moderate in the group. Shields says another one of the candidates could take advantage of a possible low-turnout race in which small changes among voters could lead to big changes in results. "It's a little bit easier for someone who's behind to catch up," Shields said. How many people will actually show up? Primary election turnout, in general, is usually on the lower side. For reference, Philadelphia held its primary last month with the Democratic race for district attorney on the line. Turnout for the May 20 primary reached just over 16%. But in New Jersey, primary numbers can get even lower. In the 2021 primary race, turnout was just 12%. Four years earlier, in 2017, turnout was 15%. Shields says timing is also a tough sell for voters. New Jersey's election happens in an off-year and the primaries are in June, a time when many people are more worried about summer trips than polling places. But Shields said this year could be different. "It's one of the things I'm most interested in," Shields said. The Rutgers professor notes this is many people's first chance to vote since a contentious 2024 presidential race. What's happening in Washington remains of high interest to voters, and Shields believes that could push more people to the polls this year. "Whether it's to show support for the presidential administration or whether it's to show resistance to it, I think we will see more people exercising that right here in the primary," Shields said. And speaking of the president … Trump will come up, but another issue will matter more Trump's presence will certainly loom in this race. He's already made an endorsement, and national pundits will likely watch the Garden State race closely as a first test of the president's influence (New Jersey and Virginia are the only gubernatorial races in the U.S. in 2025). But while Shields said Trump and his administration's policies on things like immigration will undoubtedly be part of the campaign, he doesn't think it'll be what matters most. "Ultimately, this election is going to be defined by affordability issues in New Jersey," Shields said. This is not a new fight in New Jersey, but it is one that's taken center stage in the 2025 race. Almost every candidate in this race, regardless of party, has some sort of policy related to affordability in the Garden State. Shields says that affordability umbrella will include property taxes and high housing costs to funding for things like NJ Transit and more. "If you want to be the next governor of New Jersey," Shields said, "you have to be credible on those issues, and you have to have a plan people will buy into."
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NJ governor election: Who is running for NJ governor 2025? Check out the list.
The 2025 primary is June 10 in New Jersey. Here are the ballot choices for governor that await Democratic and Republican voters who enter polling stations Tuesday. Hot topics: New Jersey farmers want to see these concerns tackled by a new governor Steve Sweeney, a former state Senate president. Sean Spiller, president of the New Jersey Education Association and former Montclair mayor. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-NJ. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ. Issues: How GCL rail, other South Jersey public transit initiatives may hinge on governor's race Jack Ciattarelli, the GOP's 2021 gubernatorial nominee and a former state assemblyman. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-Union. Bill Spadea, a former conservative talk radio host. Justin Barbera, a contractor from Vincentown. Mario M. Kranjac, an attorney and former Englewood Cliffs mayor. Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times. Have a tip? Support local journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: On Tuesday, Democrats Republicans pick their 2025 governor nominees
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Submit your question for the NJ gubernatorial forum on PIX11
NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – With the race for New Jersey's next governor heating up, Democratic candidates will address key issues at a forum on PIX11 News this Friday. Viewers can submit questions for the candidates by commenting on PIX11's social media accounts, including X, Facebook and Instagram. Submit your questions by Friday, May 23, to be included in this week's forum. More News: Politics Come June 10, New Jersey voters will weigh in on their party's nominee for governor. Democratic candidates participating in PIX11's debate Friday include: State Sen. Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Stephen Fulop and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Recent exclusive polling by PIX11, Emerson College and The Hill revealed Sherrill is leading the Democratic field, while Republican voters are favoring former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. Watch the forum by tuning in or streaming online starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 23. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Jersey Democrats vow to fight Trump in final gubernatorial debate
The top Democratic candidates running for governor of New Jersey faced off in their final debate Sunday night before next month's primary, vowing to take on President Donald Trump and laying out why they are best positioned to win in November. Five of the six Democratic contenders — Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney — met Sunday night in a debate hosted by On New Jersey, the New Jersey Globe and Rider University. A sixth candidate, Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, did not meet the fundraising threshold to take part. The candidates sparred for over 2½ hours over a variety of state-specific issues, from transit and education funding to taxes and state budgets. But they were united in resolving to take on Trump. New Jersey is one of two states, along with Virginia, with governor's races this year, which could provide an early look at how voters are responding to Trump's second term. While the Virginia matchup is set, the New Jersey candidates first have to compete in the June 10 primary. There are contested primaries on both sides, but former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has led the GOP primary field, and he secured Trump's endorsement last week. The Democratic race has been more unpredictable, with a crowded field dividing voters. Asked how schools and universities should navigate threats to federal funding if they do not comply with Trump's executive orders on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or transgender issues, all five said institutions should resist the administration. Fulop said, "We should absolutely be pushing back,' while Sweeney called Trump 'a criminal.' Gottheimer, referring to Trump as 'this guy,' said, 'The job of the governor is to fight him.' Baraka — who was arrested on trespassing charges at a federal immigration detention facility this month — also said, 'We have to fight back.' He has denied any wrongdoing and argued that the charges were politically motivated. Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba, now the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, wrote on X after Baraka was arrested, 'NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.' Sherrill, whom some consider the front-runner in the crowded race, called Trump 'the most corrupt president this nation has ever had' and likened him to a playground bully. 'This is not a federal government you can work with,' she said. Sherrill and Gottheimer faced some criticism, particularly from Sweeney, for not doing enough to combat Trump and Republicans in Washington. 'We need to start winning some fights in Washington,' Sweeney said a few times throughout the debate. The candidates also laid out their paths to victory in November, with the race expected to be competitive. Trump lost New Jersey by 6 percentage points last year, a 10-point improvement on his performance in the 2020 election. Sherrill previewed a potential case against Ciattarelli, saying he 'has promised to DOGE New Jersey' and would not stand up to Trump (Ciattarelli has called for establishing a Department of Government Efficiency at the state level). Both Sherrill and Gottheimer touted their victories in competitive House districts, and Gottheimer stressed his focus on reducing taxes and lowering costs. Baraka pitched himself as the true progressive in the race, adding that progressive groups have endorsed him because 'they know I'm going to fight Donald Trump, not just in words but in action.' Sweeney, meanwhile, said that he would be best equipped to run state government and that other candidates pitching themselves as Trenton outsiders would face a steep learning curve. Fulop said in his opening statement that Ciattarelli 'will be tough to beat,' and he later said a candidate tied to the Democratic establishment, and particularly to Gov. Phil Murphy, would be 'dead on arrival in November.' (Murphy cannot run for re-election because of term limits.) 'It is not going to be only a referendum on Donald Trump because independent voters in the state of New Jersey, a lot of them voted for Donald Trump,' Fulop said, later adding, 'You need to move independent voters, you need to move Republican voters, with a clear vision of what New Jersey looks like.' This article was originally published on
