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Murphy maintains solid lead in final Monmouth poll
Gov. Phil Murphy continues to lead his Republican challenger in the final days of the race for governor, according to a Monmouth University poll released Wednesday. The poll found half of New Jersey’s registered voters, 50%, back the incumbent while only 39% back former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor. The 11-point margin […]
Workers urge lawmakers to ban smoking in casinos
A group of Atlantic City casino workers urged legislative leaders to advance a bill that would bar indoor smoking at the gambling mecca Thursday, and asked Gov. Phil Murphy to exert pressure to get the stalled bill moving. Smoking was already disallowed at workplaces and indoor public spaces in the state under the 2006 Smoke […]
Sussex County asks voters to OK potential legal fight with Murphy over nursing home docs
The Sussex County Board of Commissioners could be forced into a legal battle with the state over information on COVID-19 deaths in the state’s long-term care centers, but only if voters decide that’s a good idea. The lone county referendum on the ballot in Sussex this year would, if approved, require the commissioners to “consider […]
For the first time, New Jersey’s Black churches take congregants to the polls early
New Jersey’s Black churches are ready to take their members’ souls to the polls. Black faith organizations around the state began sending congregants to early voting sites en masse Saturday, joining churches in other states in a long-standing tradition that seeks to boost the influence of Black communities by leveraging existing organizations and worshippers’ trust […]
In Newark, Obama urges voters to stick with Murphy
Former President Barack Obama joined Gov. Phil Murphy and a bevy of Essex County elected officials in Newark Saturday to urge Democrats to avoid the apathy that they blame for Donald Trump’s ascension to the presidency. Obama praised the polices — including a $15 minimum wage, a millionaire’s tax, and funding for Planned Parenthood, among […]
Scrutiny over Malinowski stock trades to continue after ethics panel votes to extend investigation
A House ethics panel on Thursday extended its investigation into late stock trade disclosures filed by Rep. Tom Malinowksi (D-07). Despite reminders from staff, Malinowski failed to comply with disclosure deadlines for hundreds of stock transactions made by the congressman’s broker between January 2019 and March 2021, when Business Insider first reported the tardiness of […]
Ciattarelli looks to shore up Lakewood after Murphy wins key endorsement
Jack Ciattarelli’s political future could rest on Lakewood. On Thursday, the Republican candidate for governor returned to the state’s fastest growing municipality — one that, by all accounts, overwhelmingly favors GOP officeholders — for a series of events that included visits to the police department, small businesses, and a synagogue, among others. “Very much like […]
Groups blanket two legislative districts with millions in outside funds
Outside groups have blanketed New Jersey’s two most competitive legislative races with millions in spending on television ads and mailers this fall, and two groups that have often found themselves opposed to one another appear to have split up the load. American Democratic Majority, a super PAC with ties to Democratic South Jersey power broker […]
Most counties have fewer early voting sites than N.J. will pay for
Early voting is coming to New Jersey, but for now, most counties are just dipping their toes in the water. Despite the state promising to reimburse counties for the costs of early polling sites, 15 of New Jersey’s 21 counties are planning to open fewer early polling places than the state is willing to pay […]
Redistricting commission begins business with show of bipartisanship
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission unanimously adopted bylaws and designated the Office of Legislative Services as its secretary Friday in what is expected to be a rare show of bipartisanship as it sets out to redraw legislative district lines. The 11-member panel — composed of five Democrats, five Republicans, and retired state Appellate Court Judge […]
GOP distrust of mail-in voting a no-show in this year’s races
National politics put New Jersey Republicans in strange position last year. Former President Donald Trump repeatedly derided mail-in voting — which saw widespread adoption as governments looked to stem the spread of COVID-19 — and a cohort of GOP state lawmakers raised alarms over the practice, alternatively arguing residents did not trust it or urging […]
Final gubernatorial debate ends with few new details
The final debate between Gov. Phil Murphy and challenger Jack Ciattarelli again drew sharp lines between the two candidates, though much about their platforms remained hazy Tuesday night. In one notable moment, Ciattarelli, a Republican, said he would codify abortion protections as governor should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 […]