Congressional Maps for $ALE Wallace Gift-Wrapped Map for the Dems. GOP is Fighting Back 1/6/22
In the final days of 2021, the New Jersey Democrats were given quite a Christmas gift when John Wallace, (the supposedly "independent" tiebreaker of the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission, chosen arbirtrarily by NJ Supreme Court Justice Stu Rabner who did not even interview Republican commissioners' recommendations) sided with the six Democrats on the Commission over the fairer and more competitive congressional district map drawn by the six Republican commissioners.
Let's review the facts for a moment:
- Republicans in New Jersey normally win nearly 45% of the congressional vote in federal election years, but the Democrats' map attempts to cram and gerrymander Republicans into just 25% of the seats.
- The map put forward by the Republican commissioners (and rejected by Wallace) created fairer and more competitive districts by every possible metric. The PVI (Partisan Voting Index) of the GOP map had 4 districts between -2% and +2%. Only one district in the adopted Dem. map falls in this range.
- The GOP map kept 85%+ of New Jersey voters in their current congressional district, the adopted Dem. map only keeps 80% in their current district.
- ALL districts in the GOP map were comprised of at least 25% minority voters, while one district in the adopted map is under 25% minority.
- The poor and pathetic reasoning given by John Wallace for his selection of the Democrats' map is that it was simply the Democrats' turn, since the Republican commissioners' map was selected in 2012 (as if Democrats have had SUCH a tough time under the current map).
- The explanation was so egregious that Wallace has been asked to further explain himself by his former colleagues on the NJ Supreme Court due to a lawsuit filed by the Republican commissioners.
- But it gets even more troubling. Wallace then admitted that after months of deliberation and at considerable taxpayer expense, he had put absolutely zero serious thought into the decision. You can read more on all these points by CLICKING HERE.
Unless of course, the fix was in from the beginning?? New and troubling questions have been raised about Democratic Party donations to Justice Wallace's wife's campaign for mayor:
John E. Wallace, Jr. sided with Democrats on a new map last month, but it’s not clear whether the New Jersey Supreme Court was aware of sizable campaign contributions involving his politically active wife before they picked him to serve as the independent tiebreaker.
...
But more alarming to Republicans are the donors to her own mayoral campaigns.
She raised over $84,000 in 2011, when she was the Democratic candidate for mayor in a special election for a one-year unexpired term. That race was largely funded by supporters of the South Jersey Democratic machine, including $24,600 from the legislative campaign fund of 4th district Democrats – State Sen. Fred Madden (D-Washington) is the Gloucester County Democratic Chairman — $7,200 from the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters, $4,500 from Watson Coleman, and $8,2000 from Sheila Oliver, who was the Assembly Speaker at the time.
Her contributors also included other building trades unions – including Ironworkers Local 399, which is headed by Richard Sweeney — and Democratic elected officials.
When Mrs. Wallace sought a full-term in 2012, her donors included $8,200 each from Senate President Steve Sweeney, the Gloucester County Democratic Organization, and the Carpenters union, and $3,500 from Madden. She raised nearly $72,000 for that race, mostly from allies of the party organization.
If this was Wallace's REAL reason for choosing a map this unfair and one-sided, he is effectively disenfranchising millions of New Jersey voters in the name of paying back his political allies. We need answers immediately.
The bottom line: the New Jersey Republican Party is fighting back, and regardless of what the boundaries are of the new congressional districts, Republicans are well-poised for SEVERAL pickups around the state, owing not only to the strength of our candidates, but the many, many failures of Joe Biden and his lackies Tom Malinowski, Mikie Sherrill, Donald Norcross, Andy Kim, Josh Gottheimer, Donald Payne, Albio Sires, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Bill Pascrell and Frank Pallone (all of whom need to be on full alert for the red wave that's coming this November).
Tom Szymanski | Executive Director
New Jersey Republican State Committee
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Congressman Chris Smith Reports Home 12/29/21
Congressman Chris Smith Reports Home
20th Anniversary of Rep. Smith's Historic Law to Help Homeless Veterans
Helping Homeless Veterans in Monmouth County
Twenty years ago, almost 300,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in the United States on any given night.
It was a scandal: men and women––who served our country honorably––on the streets of America.
To combat this epidemic and help our veterans in need, I authored the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-95), which continues to have an enormous impact in ending chronic homelessness among those who have served our country and need our support—especially and including in our own community.
Recently, the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Village officially opened in Tinton Falls. Run by the non-profit organization Soldier On, the new facility is an innovative housing complex that will provide 70 one-bedroom housing units in a $23 million state-of-the-art complex for homeless veterans in our area.
Through the Housing and Urban Development- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program--one of the many programs authorized in my law--the federal government is providing a major source of rental assistance funding for veterans who will be living at the new Monmouth County housing complex. In the last fiscal year alone, the HUD-VASH program provided $40 million in permanent housing subsidies and supportive services for veterans in need.
As the former Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and author of more than a dozen laws to help veterans, I remain committed to protecting veteran’s benefits and program to help ensure that the brave men and women who have defended our country and those who are serving our country today, continue to have access to the resources and care that they deserve.
Opposing Payouts to Illegal Immigrants
Like many Americans, I was extremely disturbed by an investigative report in the Wall Street Journal which revealed that the Biden Administration was considering a policy to settle pending lawsuits filed on behalf of illegal migrants over the past two years by paying the exorbitant amount of up to $450,000 per person rather than continuing the fight in court.
The proposed payment of such sums subverts Congress’s authority over the power of the purse and fundamentally misuses taxpayer dollars to reward illegal behavior. Some family members of 9/11 victims, US soldiers killed in action and New Jerseyans devastated by Hurricane Sandy have received less despite their sacrifice and suffering.
Accordingly, I have cosponsored the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act (HR 5854), which will prohibit the Department of Justice from paying off immigrants for claims related to their illegal entry into the US. Additionally, this legislation reaffirms that Congress, not the Administration, has ultimate discretion over the expenditure of funds.
We must do better in combatting the current, unsustainable immigration crisis. It is critical that the federal government knows the identities of those trying to enter our country—which is why I have voted nearly 90 times since 1994 for legislation to construct barriers and strengthen our southern border.
Humanitarian crises and the national security issues at our southern border is not a new challenge. In 2006, I, as well as then-Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Senator Chuck Schumer, all voted for the Secure Fence Act, which authorized the construction of hundreds of miles of fencing along with vehicle barriers and an increased use of advanced technology—all to address the problems at the border. My position has remained consistent.
While I believe the United States has an obligation to welcome those fleeing humanitarian and natural disasters, civil war, and similar dangers, any immigration proposal must put the safety of Americans first. With this in mind, I will continue to advocate for a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system, which both restores law and order at our borders, and provides a more just and fair immigration process.
Ending Animal Cruelty
Shocking reports have recently come to light exposing the use of U.S. tax dollars to fund tests and experiments on dogs, primates and other animals in 300 foreign laboratories in over 57 countries.
Although U.S. tax dollars fund these animal research experiments, tragically, many of these foreign laboratories do not adhere to or maintain the same humanitarian policies, protection laws and oversight as in the United States.
Americans do not want their tax dollars subsidizing animal cruelty––especially and including under the lens of federally funded research. There are ways to safeguard the humane treatment of animals and conduct ethical research with important guidelines.
To that end, I joined a group of bipartisan lawmakers in sending a letter to the Comptroller General of the United States, requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) oversight of taxpayer-funded animal research at foreign institutions.
While sound scientific research is critical to address many of the ailments and illnesses that plague our society, it must be conducted responsibly and humanely—no exceptions.
Contact Me
As always, I appreciate hearing your insights on the important issues facing our community and our Nation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance on these or any other matters of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Chris Smith
Member of Congress
Washington DC
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3765
Monmouth County
112 Village Center Drive
Second Floor
Freehold, N.J. 07728
(732) 780-3035
Ocean County
405 Route 539
Plumsted, N.J. 08514
(609) 585-7878
Call for an appointment
Mercer County
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Hamilton, N.J. 08620
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NJGOP Blasts “Nakedly Partisan” Gerrymander by Democrat Operatives in Disguise 12/22/21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2021
CONTACT: Alex Wilkes, Communications Director
Alex@NJGOP.org
TRENTON – Today, Bob Hugin, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party (“NJGOP”) released the following statement in response to the Redistricting Commission’s decision to disenfranchise millions of New Jersey voters with the release of its congressional map:
“On the heels of an election in which Republicans saw historic gains in the State House and a margin that was too-close-for-comfort in the gubernatorial race, the Democrats on the Redistricting Commission decided to circle the wagons in protecting their own. Tie-Breaker Chairman Wallace ignored basic facts and voted strictly on partisan lines. Instead of choosing a map with multiple, fairly drawn competitive districts, the Commission through this nakedly partisan gerrymander has undermined the basic tenets of our representative democracy,” said Hugin.
"Over the last ten years, Republicans in New Jersey normally win nearly 45% of the congressional vote in federal election years, and yet this partisan map was engineered by Democrat operatives to attempt to ensure Republicans only hold 25% of the seats in Congress in 2023 and beyond. Make no mistake though, through their horrific policies, inflationary spending and failed leadership, Congressional Democrats have ensured they are all vulnerable this November, and the New Jersey Republican Party will fight for every vote and every seat in Congress."
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NJ GOP Update 12/20/21
Happy Monday, New Jerseyans! Welcome to your one-stop-shop for Phil Murphy's sad presidential dreams, Dems in Disarray™, and other goings on in the Garden State.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We'll see you in 2022!
IT WAS ABOVE OUR PAY GRADE
Murphy says voters didn’t understand how much good his policies are doing
ROI-NJ
“I think the message for me is, we’ve got the right substance, but we have to get into kitchen tables much more deeply that we’ve gotten into,” he told Bret Baier. “Folks have to understand why we stand for what we stand (for), how it impacts their lives, their kids’ lives, their futures. I think that is where the gap is, and I’m committed in New Jersey to closing that gap.”
THE BIGGEST LOSER: POST LEAVES MURPHY UNRANKED BEHIND BOOKER
The top 10 non-Biden Democrats for president in 2024, ranked
The Washington Post
6. Cory Booker: Perhaps nobody in 2020 demonstrated unrealized political talent like the senator from New Jersey — with emphasis on the “unrealized” part. The good news for him is there’s some unrealized upside. Booker also recently headlined a major party fundraiser in New Hampshire.
...
Others worth mentioning: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former first lady Michelle Obama.
DRINK UP
‘Let’s get a drink’: Dems confront prospect of a 2022 hurricane
Politico
“I’m scared,” said Peg Schaffer, vice chair of the Democratic Party in New Jersey, whose Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, won reelection this year, but by a far closer margin than expected. “We need to get the vote out, and in the midterms, it’s hard.”
IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE
No cars, cream cheese, Christmas trees ... even booze! How the supply chain has affected N.J.
NJ.com
Even some beloved New Jersey Wawa stores are actively warning about shortages. “Some products may be temporarily unavailable,” said a sign posted in the Bridgewater store on Union Ave. “We appreciate your patience as we continue to work through external supply chain shortages. We are working as quickly as possible to get back to full product inventory.”
MURPHY: LET'S TEST AND ARREST LEGISLATORS.
N.J. quarantines too many students, lawmaker says. We need a ‘test and stay’ policy for classrooms.
NJ.com
State health officials issued new guidelines Thursday recommending schools shorten the length of student quarantines to seven to 10 days. But, everyone is “growing weary” of seeing students quarantined at home, state Sen. Troy Singleton said in a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this week.
WHERE STRICT IS NOW REDEFINED AS DRUNK, LIBERAL, AND MASKLESS
Murphy plans in-person inauguration ceremony with strict safety protocols
NJ Globe
The coronavirus pandemic will almost certainly diminish any time of extravaganza related to Murphy’s second term.
WEIRD FLEX FOR 2025, BUT OKAY ...
Callahan nomination released from committee, despite accusations of ‘stonewalling’
Politico
“With all due respect Colonel, I think you’re stonewalling us,” Senate President Steve Sweeney said.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Unhappy new year for NJ commuters: Tolls scheduled for 3% automatic increase on Jan. 1
NJ Spotlight
But the looming automatic toll hikes are also generating new attention from lawmakers in Trenton who want to provide some relief for motorists walloped by rising inflation.
MASKS, NOW SHOTS FOR TOTS
WEIRD: N.J. Department of Health ad shows child asking Santa for the covid vaccine instead of toys
Save Jersey
We’ve heard plenty of lies and propaganda from the Murphy Administration over the past two years, Save Jerseyans, all designed to terrify and manipulate the people of our state into compliance. The latest New Jersey Department of Health ad nevertheless takes the cake. It features a young boy writing to Santa while reading his letter aloud: “Dear Santa: I don’t want games. I don’t want toys. Just get me the Covid vaccine!” A little sick?
'
BUT NOT FOR HIS FRIENDS!
Murphy keeps masks mandatory in classrooms
NJ Spotlight
“We’re trying to call balls and strikes, make decisions based on facts and science and data — and keep kids in school face to face,” said Gov. Phil Murphy Monday as he announced there would be no changes to school quarantine rules or to his school mask mandate.
BONUS: Murphy continues to terrorize school children.
Alex Wilkes | Communications Director
New Jersey Republican State Committee
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150 WEST STATE STREET, SUITE 230 • TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08608
SHAUN VAN DOREN, TREASURER
NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE COMMITTEE
NJ GOP Update 12/6/21
Happy Monday, New Jerseyans! Welcome to your one-stop-shop for Phil Murphy's sad presidential dreams, Dems in Disarray™, and other goings on in the Garden State.
(DEMOCRATS DID NOT...SEE STORY #2)
Did NJ lawmakers really hear what voters were saying in November?
NJ 101.5
In the aftermath of the November election, Democratic Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said, “There was clearly a message that was sent by voters last Tuesday. We're going to sit down and figure out what that was.”
COUGHLIN DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT
Trenton drama ends with Coughlin criticizing GOP, State Police
Politico
A chaotic scene unfolded in the Assembly on Thursday as Republican members who refused to comply with a new vaccine-or-test mandate staged a sit-in in the Assembly chambers, delaying the start of the first lame-duck voting session by two-and-a-half hours before Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin relented, gaveled it in and gave an angry speech. Coughlin, typically mild-mannered, took the extraordinary step of criticizing the State Police, who are in charge of Statehouse security — albeit not by name. “There’s been a colossal failure of security here at the Statehouse. This is something we cannot tolerate,” Coughlin said of the troopers, who earlier in the day allowed some lawmakers who refused to comply with the newly-instituted mandate to pass through security
WHERE'S THE LIE?
Democrats Show Double Standard On Public Health: NJ Senator-Elect
Patch
"Where was the DCCC when Phil Murphy issued orders that killed 10,000 nursing home residents? Where were our 10 Democrat members of Congress," Durr said in a prepared statement. "Plain and simple, the DCCC and our 10 Democrat members of Congress didn't care about 'basic public safety measures' when dangerous Phil Murphy's COVID-19 orders were killing nursing home residents. They were all too busy whining about former President Donald Trump's tweets."
THE PHIL FACTOR
NJBIA survey: 3 in 4 NJ employers faced hiring shortages this year
NJBiz
Despite waning fears about the COVID-19 pandemic, three out of every four employers said they’ve struggled to find workers this past year, and many said they’re pessimistic about the year ahead, according to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association’s 63rd annual Business Outlook Survey. The organization also found that 28% of respondents said they plan to sell their business or cease operations due to the pandemic restrictions and cuts to both revenue and staffing...“Due to these continued obstacles, it should be a red flag for our policymakers who might consider more mandates or policies that make it more costly to do business in New Jersey,” Siekerka said.
A ONE-TRICK PONY NO MORE
Why the threat to Roe may not save Democrats in 2022
Politico
“It hasn’t moved people to the polls in places like Virginia and New Jersey this year. It wasn’t an issue in either state,” said Julie Roginsky, a former top adviser to New Jersey’s Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, who won reelection this year, but by a far narrower margin than expected.
TURNS OUT INFANTICIDE ISN'T SUPER POPULAR
Why Haven't NJ Democrats Passed The Reproductive Freedom Bill?
Patch
But the election seemed to provide an interesting benchmark in the life of the bill, with little to no movement happening in the legislature. With some New Jersey Democrats perhaps tepid because of a strong showing from Republicans, there's an understanding that bills viewed as especially progressive could prove troublesome when it comes time for re-election in toss-up districts.
BUILD BACK BROKE
NJ Small Businesses Face Holiday Supply-Chain Impacts
Patch
And small businesses like Jimmy's Deli in Metuchen are reporting that "all the meat, poultry's gone up 100%, 200%," owner James Jones told News 12. Anthony Campisi, the owner of New Pearl Cleaners in that same town, told News 12 the cost of all supplies has skyrocketed. For example, a box of hangers went from $36 a box to $76.
...IS THAT A REPUBLICANS "POUNCE" WE HEAR?
Republicans complain about a lack of transparency on New Jersey $700 million spending plan
The Center Square
“Democrats have taken a nothing-to-see-here approach to transparency throughout this process,” Wirths added. “They frankly don’t care what anyone else thinks, so they don’t provide detailed explanations to the public because, to them, the public is irrelevant and potential concerns are white noise.”
THIS IS MY LOVE LANGUAGE
Sizable spending by Dems, independent groups still couldn’t raise a blue wave
NJ Spotlight News
Despite spending 700 times more than challengers, former Senate President Sweeney and assemblymen Burzichelli and Taliaferro were hung out to dry by Republicans on a shoestring budgetAlex Wilkes | Communications Director
New Jersey Republican State CommitteePAID FOR BY THE NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE
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NJ GOP Update 11/22/21
Happy Monday, New Jerseyans! Welcome to your one-stop-shop for Phil Murphy's sad presidential dreams, Dems in Disarray™, and other goings on in the Garden State.
Programming Note: The newsletter will return December 6th. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO LEAVE THE STATE
$75M in Public School Funding Means Tax Relief, Murphy Says
NJ Business
“Every one of these $3 billion is one dollar that property taxpayers can keep in their pockets. … Through these investments, we are [developing] communities for new families to [establish] roots and so that long-term residents don’t have to pull up their roots,” Murphy said.
ENERGY MASTER SHAM
Murphy sets 80% greenhouse gas reduction target, but groups question the cost
The Center Square
“Studies have shown that the cost for New Jersey homeowners to convert their homes to electric heat through the use of heat pumps will cost $20,000 or more,” Jeanette Hoffman, spokeswoman for SmartHeatNJ, an advocacy group backed by the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, said in a statement after Murphy signed the latest executive order. “When asked about the extraordinary cost this mandate would have on New Jersey families, Governor Murphy has continually denied the public a straight answer.”
RUNNING SCARED
Lawmakers: lame duck session must tackle affordability, taxes
NJBiz
“I think no matter what stripe you wear, the electorate told us that affordability and also efficiency of government is essential, and things we need to be mindful of as state legislators,” Sen. Troy Singleton, D-7th District, said during Nov. 17 panel at the New Jersey League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City.
SO TRUE IT HURTS
'Milestone moment': Republicans officially overtake Democrats in Florida
Politico
“You are seeing people move to states that value freedom,” DeSantis said during a breakfast speech at the National Conference of State Legislatures on Nov. 5. He also joked if Republicans had not been leaving New Jersey that they would have beaten Gov. Phil Murphy.
*UNLESS THEY CARE ABOUT TAXES
New Jersey grants $400M to help keep students in-state for college
KYW
Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey’s public school system is the best in the country, but too many high school graduates are picking colleges outside of the Garden State. “We need to stop letting our high-achieving young people be one of our state’s greatest exports," Murphy said.
👑QUEEN ENERGY ONLY 👑
Monmouth County Officials Call For Mail-In Voting Protocol Change
Patch
"I believe that the process needs to be reformed," agreed Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon, also a Republican. She called for "legislators to sit down with election officials to craft solutions. Election officials have vast knowledge of these problems and how the changes to laws passed over the past four years have contributed to the delays in counting of ballots." Her comment was a not-so-subtle dig at Murphy, who has greatly expanded mail-in-voting during his time in office. Murphy says mail-in voting improves access to voting; he backs a bill likely to be passed in Trenton right now that will give New Jersey voters living abroad the right to vote in all state and local elections.
Alex Wilkes | Communications Director
New Jersey Republican State Committee
NJ GOP Update 11/3/21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2021
CONTACT: Alex Wilkes, Communications Director
Alex@NJGOP.org
NJGOP Celebrates Historic Republican Wins Statewide,
Urges Patience and Confidence As our Election Integrity Team Ensures Every Legal Vote is Counted
On behalf of Chairman Bob Hugin and the entire New Jersey Republican Party, I would like to start off by congratulating all of our Republican candidates across the Garden State. Our Republicans ran bold, issue-based campaigns and provided a stark contrast to the failed policies of Phil Murphy and the radical Democratic Party. And boy, did it pay off. The victories were plentiful and historical.
Jack Ciattarelli, in a complete defiance of nearly every public pollster and "mainstream" media prognosticators, is now in a complete dead heat with Governor Phil Murphy. New Jerseyans spoke loudly and clearly last night: they are sick and tired of the Governor's arbitrary mandates, high-tax agenda and socialist policies and callous indifference to the struggles of everyday New Jerseyans. Votes are still being counted and the process is very much ongoing. More on that below.
I’d like to particularly offer my congratulations to our new Republican legislators, who together represent the biggest pickup of legislative seats for Republicans in 30 years. I am especially proud to highlight that we have added 6 new women to our caucus!
In LD2: Senator-Elect Vince Polistina, Assemblyman-Elect Don Guardian, and Assemblywoman-Elect Claire Swift
In LD3: Senator-Elect Edward Durr (a stunning underdog victory over Senate President Steve Sweeney), Assemblywoman-Elect Bethanne McCarthy Patrick, Assemblywoman-Elect Beth Sawyer
In LD8: Senator-Elect Jean Stanfield (a victory over party-switcher Dawn Addiego), Assemblyman-Elect Brandon Umba and Assemblyman-Elect Michael Torrissi
In LD11: Assemblywomen-Elect Marilyn Piperno and Kimberly Eulner. Also, Senate candidate Lori Annetta currently holds a 500+ vote lead over incumbent and embattled Democratic Senator Vin Gopal in a race that is too close to call.
*And keep your eye on LD16, where the race is too close to call and GOP candidate Vinny Panico is in a dead heat!
I would also like to indicate that while some numbers are still being tabulated, we are well-poised for countywide victories in Gloucester, Cumberland and Somerset Counties where our candidates showed the door to Democratic incumbents.
This is all in addition to the INCREDIBLE amount of local seats we flipped, where we won huge races in many swing and Democratic towns, and turned many Democratic majorities over to GOP-control.
I would be remiss if I did not thank our incredibly hard-working and talented team at the NJGOP. Together, we worked to persuade and turnout voters, as well as provide confidence in the security of every New Jerseyan’s ballot. Our efforts resulted in nearly 3 million voter contacts statewide - the largest field/voter contact effort in New Jersey GOP politics, EVER.
Additionally, the NJGOP formed an Election Improvement Committee to work with Boards of Election to ensure best practices were implemented and filled nearly 1,000 poll worker shifts and nearly 1,000 challenger shifts.
On that front, please be advised that the New Jersey Republican Party is working hand in glove with the Ciattarelli for Governor campaign and Republican National Committee to guarantee a robust legal presence to scrutinize the process and ensure every legal vote is being counted. This process will take some time to play out.
Your support throughout that process is appreciated! As is all your effort to get us to this point and deliver a ROCK SOLID night for the New Jersey Republican Party last night.
So on behalf of Chairman Hugin and the entire NJGOP- let me say from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!
Tom Szymanski
Executive Director
Jack Ciattarelli: Why I want your vote to become New Jersey
ICYMI: Jack Ciattarelli: Why I want your vote to become New Jersey's next governor
I am running for Governor to fix our broken state.
By Jack Ciattarelli
November 1, 2021
Fox News
What would you say to a governor who told you, "If you don’t like paying high taxes, you should pick up your family and your small business and leave the state?" Well, if you live in New Jersey, that’s exactly what Gov. Phil Murphy suggested you do. He told the highest-taxed people in America to deal with it or get out.
No governor from New Jersey – one who truly understood our residents – would ever say that. Murphy is tone deaf and out of touch. He’s not one of us. He’s not New Jersey. He’s an extreme liberal transplant from Massachusetts.
My story is a New Jersey story. It’s where my grandparents immigrated from Italy 100 years ago. It’s where I was born and raised. It’s where I went to school. Where I became a CPA. It’s where my wife Melinda and I raised our four children. It’s where I started two successful Main Street businesses and created jobs and opportunities for fellow New Jerseyans (while Murphy was busy making rich people richer on Wall Street).
Whatever Murphy learned on Wall Street has not helped him in managing our state’s economy. New Jersey is ranked the worst state in the country in which to do business. And one out of three small businesses has shut their doors forever because of Murphy’s oppressive regulations during the pandemic.
If that wasn’t bad enough, now Murphy is standing shoulder to shoulder with President Joe Biden’s failed economic agenda. Rising gas prices, inflation, supply chain issues and, adding insult to injury, a refusal to restore our SALT deduction despite promises that he would.
I am running for governor to fix our broken state. I know that taxes ARE an issue. But in New Jersey, we don’t run from problems, we solve them. In fact, I have a plan to lower taxes for everyone and reduce the size and cost of our bloated government.
Under Murphy, murders and gun violence are up 40%, while our police are constantly disrespected and disarmed by his anti-law enforcement agenda. When questioned on it, the governor resorts to lies, telling police officers, firefighters and even teachers that I am going to take their pensions.
As governor, I will stand with our police and get tough on crime to make our communities safer and more secure. I will also keep whole the pay, health benefits and pensions of police, fire and teachers.
Murphy proved he was the most extreme politician ever to serve as our governor when he said he wanted to make New Jersey "the California of the East Coast." Who says that?! How has he tried to do it? By mandating kindergartners learn about sexual orientation and gender ID and by requiring that sixth-graders learn about mature sexual content.
Murphy even went as far as to mock the role of parents and is so extreme on abortion that he wants to prohibit parents from knowing if their 15-year-old daughter is seeking an abortion. He even wants to allow pregnancies to be terminated up until the day of birth for any reason. Who does that?!
On the issue of vaccines and masks, I am very up front with people. I am vaccinated and encourage others to get vaccinated.
At the same time, I don’t believe government has a right to tell adults that they or their children must get a COVID vaccine.
Government should educate people with the facts and let them make decisions on how to protect themselves.
On this issue and others, rather than respect people’s viewpoints Murphy prefers to call people "knuckleheads" and demean parents gravely concerned about putting their children at risk.
Recently, an undercover video of Murphy’s staff revealed that the governor plans to implement blanket vaccine and mask mandates AFTER the election. A stunning and appalling lack of transparency that puts his political career above the health and safety of New Jerseyans. He should be ashamed.
But what would you expect from someone who ordered our nursing homes to take in COVID patients? A decision inconsistent with CDC advice and despite warnings that it would result in people dying? The end result? More than 8,000 seniors and veterans died, prompting an investigation by the Biden Department of Justice!
New Jersey, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can do better. And when I’m governor, we will. I just need your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Click here to read Jack Ciattarelli's Fox News op-ed in its entirety.
Follow Jack on social media!
Happy Election Eve, New Jerseyans!
For months, I have included the following statistics in this email as a reminder of what the Garden State has lost under Phil Murphy, but it's easy to gloss over them.
For the the families 8,006 residents in long-term care facilities who have died of COVID-19 because of Murphy's disastrous directive - one he was warned would be deadly - it means they will have an empty chair at the upcoming holidays.
In the 255 days since the Murphy Administration has failed to respond to gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli's Open Public Records Act ("OPRA") request investigating COVID-19 nursing home deaths and communications with former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the public has been left in the dark about what transpired. We are entitled by law to this information, but the Administration's arrogance and media's apathy - even with respect to their own requests - have ensured that we will never see it.
In considering the one out of three New Jersey businesses have closed their doors forever, thanks to Phil Murphy's unscientific and arbitrary lockdown measures, remember that families and communities have lost immeasurably important institutions, and they will never be the same.
Tomorrow is our only opportunity to end this madness.
And in other Phil Murphy news...
There’s been a jail break at Edna Mahan just two days before Election Day 2021
Save Jersey
As New Jersey kids were trick-or-treating around the state, law enforcement was looking for a 40-year-old female inmate who apparently escaped from the notorious Edna Mahan Correctional Facility located in Clinton. Jessica Graham was reportedly captured around 7 p.m. by Clinton police.
Camden Candidate: ‘We Want Dem Party out of Our Educational System’
Insider NJ
Among those at the forefront of fighting the machine in Camden stands Vida Neil Rosiji, who had hopes of the Gov. Phil Murphy administration derailing the organization here only to see him endorse their candidate for mayor and fold onto the top of the party ticket. “He really let the City of Camden down,” Neil Rosiji told InsiderNJ, referring to Murphy, who formed a task force examining the alleged misuse of $11.5 billion in tax incentives for a corporate network with ties to the Camden County Democratic Party power structure only to gradually ease away from pursuing the story.
Outside groups shatter spending records in this year’s N.J. gov’s race
NJ.com
Murphy overwhelmingly benefited from outside spending. More than $34.7 million went to support him compared to nearly $4.5 million for Ciattarelli in the pre-primary, primary and general elections.
Chris Christie: NJ Governor Phil Murphy Is Running For President & If Anybody Tells You Anything Differently Is Not Telling You The Truth.
Fox News Radio
When asked about why New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy had Senator Bernie Sanders stump for him, Christie says Murphy is running for president and he needs the support of the acolytes of Bernie Sanders, AOC and Elizabeth Warren to help make New Jersey the California of the East. Christie added, “Anybody tells you anything differently is not telling you the truth.” that Murphy is not running for president.
N.J. Latino voters are important and unpredictable. Where will they land in N.J. governor’s race?
NJ.com
Castaneda, a sales manager for a plastics company, feels Murphy “went too far” regarding pandemic-related mandates, including shutting down businesses. “My parents started a small business, a restaurant, in the middle of the pandemic,” Castaneda said. “He closed everything down, and I understand it was with good intentions, but we haven’t recovered.”
NJ governor’s race: Who’s funding Gov. Phil Murphy’s campaign?
NJ 101.5
The out-of-state donors hail from 28 states, plus Washington, D.C...Second was California, where donors gave $178,150[.]
Why a New Jersey Democrat Is Calling for Gov. Murphy's Emergency Power to Be Revoked
Town Hall
To Holley, this is unacceptable and reveals the mandate is not about health or science, but politics. “It has come to my attention that Governor Murphy will impose #Covid_19 vaccine mandates statewide if he is re-elected,” the Democrat tweeted. “Public health is not a political issue. Medical decisions are a choice and should be treated as such for every individual. Not election timing.”
Alex Wilkes | Communications Director
New Jersey Republican State Committee
One and Done 10/23
Volume XXV | October 23, 2021
Friends,
Have you seen the news? In the first public poll released in nearly a month, Jack and Phil Murphy are locked in what is essentially a dead heat. Even better, Jack is ahead by 3% among very likely voters, thanks in large part to the fact that he's leading among independents by 24%. Phil Murphy is now sounding the alarm, calling in national Democrats to bail him out, and warning donors that he is being outraised, outspent, and overpowered.
While all of this is exciting, remember, it only matters if our supporters get out and VOTE. And believe it or not, it's already time to cast your ballot! Today marks the very first day of in-person early voting here in New Jersey. This is a new option that we highly recommend that you take advantage of – you never know how your plans may change by Election Day, and voting early is a great way to show your strong support! Click here to learn more about this safe, secure voting option and find out your own early voting locations here.
Once you've voted yourself, don't forget to message every supporter you know to encourage them to get to the polls to vote for Jack and the Republican ticket! And if you'd like to help with our grassroots campaign in your area, simply text JACK to 21776, email us at FixNJ@Jack4NJ.com, or just click here to join our volunteer army and we'll get you on board right away! The stakes are too high to sit this one out.
As we head into the home stretch, our campaign released a number of new digital ads that you can watch below – be sure to share your favorite one on social media! On top of this, Jack continued to earn his title as the hardest working candidate in the state, visiting community events in Far Hills and Hamilton, spending a day in Lakewood, hosting town halls in Galloway and Parlin, and joining RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel for a rally in Medford. Jack's running mate Diane Allen was busy on the campaign trail as well, making stops in Haddonfield, Southampton, Cherry Hill, Northfield, and West Berlin. Miss any of this week's action? Don't worry, we've got you covered in this One And Done Report:
Jack's Latest Digital Advertisements
KITCHEN TABLE: Murphy Ridicules the Role of Parents
HELP WANTED: Jack is Ready to Support Struggling Small Businesses
DEATH SENTENCE: Murphy Ignored Dire Warnings, Seniors & Veterans Died
COMING SOON TO A TOWN NEAR YOU:
The 10 Days to Fix New Jersey Tour
If viewing on a desktop, click here or on the image above to see a listing of Jack's upcoming events.
Jack's '10 Days to Fix New Jersey' tour of the state starts TODAY! Over the course of the next 10 days heading into Election Day, Jack will be visiting all 21 counties during a blitz of town halls, meet and greets, get out the vote events, and more. Join us at a stop near you, and bring a friend who's still undecided in this race to meet Jack in person!
To view Jack's public event schedule on your phone, go to Jack's Facebook page, hit "About," and scroll to the very bottom. To view the schedule on a laptop or desktop, simply click the button below!
🗓 10 Days to Fix New Jersey Tour 🗓
📰 Jack Ciattarelli: In The News 📰
PIX POLL: NJ governor's race tightening in final days
NEWARK, N.J.- In the run for New Jersey governor, an exclusive PIX11 News, NewsNation, Emerson College poll shows incumbent Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy with a lead, but Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli within striking distance. About half...
Read more
pix11.com
What would Jack Ciattarelli do if elected?
Up until the last year or so, Jack Ciattarelli was mostly known as a moderate policy wonk with a hard-to-pronounce last name. That's changed drastically in his underdog bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy next month.
Ciattarelli Campaigns in Newark, NJ's Main Dem Stronghold
NEWARK, NJ - Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is clearly the challenger in this year's ballot box clash with Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy. But during a campaign visit to...
Top Republican says Murphy's 'shaking in his boots'
Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for New Jersey governor, strode into the Burlington County GOP headquarters in Medford on Tuesday afternoon to chants of "we back Jack" as he welcomed...
Jack Ciattarelli campaigns in Lakewood
Lakewood is one of the fastest-growing towns in New Jersey and has an interesting political makeup. The town voted for both Donald Trump and Phil Murphy. And now Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli visited the town looking to...
Read more
newjersey.news12.com
FOX 5's Good Day New York: Jack Ciattarelli
Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, talks about his campaign as election day nears.Subscribe to FOX 5 NY: https://www.yout...
🌐 Social Media: Our Top Posts This Week! 🌐
Click on each image to link to post.
Chip In and Make Phil Murphy One & Done in '21!
We have the right candidate and the right message to win this election — now all we need is YOUR support! Will you help get Jack across the finish line by donating $10, $21, or even $50? Remember, all of your donations are triple matched, so every contribution goes a long way to help our campaign.
$10 = $30
$21 = $63
$50 = $150
Simply click here or on the image above to contribute!
A Message from Team Jack
If there is anyone you think might be interested in reading the One and Done report each week, make sure to forward it or have them each out to the campaign! We’d be glad to add them to our list!
Get Involved!
Ready to make Phil Murphy One and Done in ‘21? Join our volunteer efforts to help get Jack over the finish line:
Contact fixnj@jack4nj.com!
#IBackJack
Do you want to share your support for Jack? Send us a 30-second video about why you back Jack.
Make sure to end it with: “I Back Jack,” and email it to stami@jack4nj.com!
Articles and Blogs
Political Perspective: From a Princeton Republican
Political Perspective: From a Princeton Republican
Responses by Dudley Sipprelle, Edited by Lisa Jacknow
What is it like to be a Republican in Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey? When working on this elections issue, many Republicans or conservative-leaning voters were reluctant to speak their minds. They feared retaliation from the liberal majority. Current records indicate slightly fewer than 2,000 Princeton residents (of just under 21,000 registered voters) are registered Republicans, though several “independents” may share their views. To expand on the views of the local Republican party for those that align with it and to enlighten everyone else on what the “other” party thinks, we reached out to the Chair of the Princeton Republican Committee, Dudley Sipprelle, to get his perspective on today’s political climate.
- What is it like to be a Republican in Princeton today?
Being a Republican in Princeton in 2020 is not unlike being a Republican in Mercer County or in the State of New Jersey. Republicans are in the distinct minority of registered voters in our “blue” State (23%) and County (15%), but even more so in our Town (10%).
Princeton is an exemplar of a phenomenon that has been building in America in recent years. What we are witnessing is a geographical sorting and ideological clustering of Americans. The location of a renowned Ivy League university in town which is also Mercer County’s largest private employer has attracted many people to Princeton who share the university’s progressive liberal mind-set.
- Can you explain what the Princeton Republican Committee is/does and how it compares to other local republican organizations?
The Princeton Municipal Republican Committee is a legal entity defined in State Statute. It is composed of publicly elected members, two for each of Princeton’s 22 voting districts who are elected in the primary every four years. The local committee members are also members of the Mercer County Republican Committee. The members represent the political interests of their constituents within the party. The role of local Republican committees is similar throughout the state and includes the recruitment and endorsement of candidates for public office and promotion of the Republican brand. The success of local committees is directly related to the number of Republicans in the community, the ability to raise funds, recruit qualified candidates and volunteers and to put it bluntly, the availability of patronage, that is, the power of appointment to coveted municipal boards, commissions and committees. This appointment power lies with our elected Mayor and the six Council members, all of whom are Democrats.
- If you could impart some experiential wisdom as head of the Princeton Republican Committee, what would you like local Democrats and unaffiliated voters to know about what their vote means?
Although there are 11,519 registered Democrats in Princeton, the party
apparatus is essentially controlled by a relatively small group of “insiders” or what is known as the political “establishment” which decides policy. This group is often the most partisan party members and has a low tolerance for dissent. The insiders include a number of elected officials and members of the Democratic Municipal Committee. The Municipal Committee’s campaign endorsement means the endorsed candidate has “won the line” and will appear in the official Democratic column.
Why is this important? Because the overwhelming majority of Democrats vote the “straight party line,” that is, straight down the party column from top to bottom. It is widely understood that winning the Princeton Democratic primary decides who will be elected to office in the general election. It is virtually impossible for dissident Democrats, independents and Republicans to win election to office in Princeton. In addition, 75-80 percent of the registered “unaffiliated” vote for Democratic candidates. The party faithful are quick to unite around the Democratic party primary winner. Having gained office, elected officials turn their focus on remaining in office and the way to do that is not “make waves,” that is, don’t depart from the party policy line.
- There is a concern, amongst some, that this year’s election process could be flawed due to mail-in voting, provisional voting, etc. What is being done locally to ensure the democracy of this process?
We can count on a flawed election process owing primarily to the Governor’s hasty and poorly thought-out decision to go to an almost total vote by mail (VBM) election without a reorganized system and trained staff in place to handle millions of paper ballots. The perpetual vagaries of the U.S. postal system are well-known: undelivered mail, misdirected mail, lost mail, delayed mail, trashed mail. Add the pandemic which is affecting staff. The instructions for the VBM ballot are complicated and confusing and result in a high percentage of ballots being rejected and voters disenfranchised. The voting process is directed by the County Board of Elections and there is not much we can realistically do locally beyond carefully filling out our ballots and using the VBM drop box at Municipal Hall.
- What key issues would you like local voters to understand regarding the 2020 elections?
The viral pandemic is on everybody’s mind and has upset our lives and economy. We will overcome this pandemic in due course as we have in the past. We will not see a return of economic strength and prosperity, however, if we don’t lower taxes and our debt. This is topical locally where taxes continue to rise and our community is consequently adversely affected.
- There are several uncontested local races in this year’s election, with Democratic candidates running unopposed. What does that say about our local politics?
(The unwavering partisanship that impacts the local political environment has been discussed above in section 3.)
- Our municipality and county tend to lean Democratic. What must be done to broaden opportunities and gain more Republican leadership?
“Diversity” is the mantra that suffuses every political campaign in Princeton. Every type of diversity one can think of is promoted and accepted. The one exception is political diversity. The idea of a Republican, however qualified, being elected or appointed to a position is not seriously entertained. Until a significant number of Democrats subordinate their partisanship and consider merit as a basis for election or appointment to office, Republicans cannot gain traction.
- What can be done locally to help Republicans in higher office win this area (i.e. Congress, Senate, Presidency)?
We must overcome the demoralization of many local Republicans who have experienced defeat in recent elections in spite of valiant efforts and highly qualified candidates. We can help candidates for national and statewide office by increasing Republican turnout and encouraging candidates to recognize they have a role to play in energizing local Republicans.
- As a Princeton Republican leader, what else would you like to share with our readers?
Local government as exemplified in Princeton is too often characterized by elected officials pursuing their own agendas, lack of community involvement, torpid bureaucracy, over-regulation and a lack of transparency and accountability. Our community deserves better but will continue to be plagued by high taxes, indecision and outcomes that have questionable benefit to local residents and taxpayers until voters accept that party labels alone do not produce good government and are willing to vote for change.
Dudley Sipprelle, originally from Compton, CA, is Chair and member of the Princeton Republican Committee (2005-2020). A retired teacher of History, Economics and English and a coach in the California Public School System, he was a Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State for over 30 years, responsible for political/economic reporting and analysis, protection of American citizens, immigration, refugee & human rights affairs. Sipprelle was a Diplomat-in-Residence and Visiting Professor of International Relations at Lehigh Univ. and received a Presidential Meritorious Performance Award from President Reagan. In retirement, he enjoyed a year as assistant girl’s basketball coach at Stuart Country Day School, was Chair and member of Princeton Regional Sewer Operating Committee, and has been involved as an ESL Certificated Tutor, as well as with Princeton University International Center, Mercer County Literacy Volunteers, YWCA Princeton ESL program, and Nassau Christian Center.
2020 Budget Open Letter to Hamilton Mayor and Council
To: Mayor Jeff Martin, Hamilton Township Council
From: Win Cody
Date July 20, 2020
I am trying to enlighten residents and help with questions that they may want to ask as well as finding places the council may want to consider for savings. I have a few comments and questions that I hope will be helpful. I will not be able to attend Tuesday’s budget and wanted to share these thoughts in advance. I will post publicly so all residents can see. While I am now a resident of Hamilton, I was previously a Mayor of a New Jersey municipality and understand the budget process.
I am concerned that in this difficult time for many people, a large tax increase is being proposed. From what I have seen, taxes on increasing 8-10% for most people. While I realize that it is only an estimate and would get trued up during the 4thquarter. But when taxes are increased, they tend not to go down.
- While I see most staffing increases in departments were controlled, there is an overall staffing increase from 523 to 528 people. The largest areas of increase are the administrative departments – Business Administrator, Clerk, Human Resources, Budget/Purchasing and Financial Administration.
- For these Departments, overall salary and other expenses have increased 18% over last years adopted budget and 15% over the revised budget 2019.
- The Business Administrator Department budget increased 38% with staff going from 2 to 4 people.
- I see the lower paid employees (less than $65,000) took a furlough saving $500,000. But, that was not a true savings for taxpayers. Federal funds of $700,000 - $800,000 were used to pay the employees so they would not have an income reduction. This funding comes from taxpayers.
- Why not have a furlough of the higher paid employees and get some true savings.
- It was stated the furlough only caused a “minimal disruption of services”. If that is the case, why not make these changes permanent saving more money?
- The revenue was reduced over $2 Million for the year, primarily due to COVID-19. There are expenses associated with generating much of this revenue, why weren’t expenses reduced. If a private business lost revenue, they would need to reduce expenses. Shouldn’t the town do the same thing.
- $300,000 for loss in Municipal Court Fees. If courts were closed, shouldn’t some employees be furloughed?
- $450,000 loss of interest on Deposits? Taking money market rates of 1% and assuming that is over 3 months, that would mean $180 Million in delayed deposits, that sounds exceedingly high.
- $150,000 lost interest on delinquent taxes? Aren’t there penalties for paying late taxes that would make up for this?
- Capital Budget issues. While the public has not received details about what was closed from the historical capital budget, I had thought many older approved items were closed in 2019 which would allow the township to reduce the overall debt and reduce interest. In this difficult time, I would question some new capital items.
- There is $6 Million in road repair. Is all this necessary? Can township employees be used for some of this. There are state road grants, are these being used?
- There are $380,000 in improvements for the Sayen Gardens house and Kuser Mansion. While these facilities are important for the town, are all these necessary this year, especially when they have not even been opened for most of 2020?
- There are $152,000 in improvements for the Senior Center (including $20,000 for a bocce court). While the center is important for the seniors in town, not all residents benefit from the center. Are all these necessary this year when the center has not even been opened for most of 2020?
- There is a $125,000 expense for repaving the tennis courts in the budget. There is a proposal on July 21 meeting to spend $137,000 to repave 2 courts for pickle-ball. Is there duplication here? Do we need to spend $137,000 for pickle-ball?
- While it is important to be current with technology, there are $1.6 Million in new expenses. Many organizations have outsourced the management of technology infrastructure to professional firms (US based) that do this for a living. They can provide economies of scale and professional skill to keep the expense under control. Has this been investigated before making such a large investment?
- The surplus comments were confusing. Based on the budget documents, surplus for 2018 was $5.1 Million, for 2019 was $6.6 Million and 2020 ending with $3.5 Million. This means $3.1 Million of the surplus is being used to fund ongoing expenses. The introductory commentary states that $9.2 Million was available in the prior year, but the budget says it was $5.1 Million.
- I see that in the council meetings, they reduced the $108 Million budget by $35,350 which is about 0.03%. Is that all that was done, has there been more scrutiny done to find more reductions to help taxpayers.
Thank you for your review.