Christie beats Clinton or Cuomo in New Jersey
7 of 10 New Jersey residents expect that Governor Chris Christie will run for president and he would take the state’s 14 electoral college votes against former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton or New York Governor Andrew Cuomo if the presidential election were today, according to a Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press Poll released this morning.
A Republican has not won New Jersey in a presidential election since George H.W. Bush was elected in 1988.
Christie is favored by 46% of registered voters, including 19% of Democrats and 51% of Independents, against Clinton who is favored by43%. 3% prefer another candidate and 8% are undecided. Against Cuomo, Christie’s margin widens to 19% of NJ registered voters, 52% -33%.
The Monmouth University Polling Institute surveyed 802 adult New Jersey residents from December 4 to 8. Yesterday, Monmouth released a narrative of the same survey which indicated that 65% of New Jersey resident approved of the job that Christie is doing.
Posted: December 11th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2016 Presidential Politics, Andrew Cuomo, Chris Christie, Hillary Clinton, Monmouth University Poll | Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Chris Christie, Hillary Clinton, Monmouth University Poll, Patrick Murray | 1 Comment »
Dr. Alieta Eck
Dr. Alieta Eck is laying the groundwork to run against 12 District Congressman Rush Holt. She expects to make a formal announcement of her candidacy after the first of the year. She was a candidate in the Special Senate Primary to replace the late Senator Frank Lautenberg this summer, losing to former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan. Lonegan went on to lose to then Newark Mayor Cory Booker by 11%.
Eck told MMM this afternoon that she is setting up meetings with the Republican County Chairs of the distirct (Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union) and the National Republian Congressional Committee. She hopes to avoid having to defend her nominating petitions come April. She also hopes to be unopposed for the GOP nomination. Eck said she is being advised by GOP consultant David Millner and former Congressman Mike Pappas. Holt unseated Pappas in 1998.
[Aside: NRCC is selling Bush/Cheney 00 tee shirts for $25 if you’re looking for stocking stuffers] (sarcasm off)
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Posted: December 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2014 Congressional Races, Alieta Eck, Rush Holt | Tags: CD12, Cory Booker, David Millner, Dr. Alieta Eck, former Congressman Mike Pappas, National Republican Congressional Committee, NJ-12, NRCC, Rush Holt, Steve Lonegan | 9 Comments »
Alicia Mucci, photo via facebook
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is engaged to be married to a former bartender he met at a political fundraiser, according to multiple media reports.
Menendez, 59, popped the question to Alicia Mucci, 45 of Paramus, yesterday afternoon in the Capitol Rotunda before heading to the White House for the annual congressional holiday ball and then out to dinner with friends.
Mucci is the widow of restaurateur Robert Mucci who died in May of 2012. Menedez is a divorced father of two, including a daughter named Alicia. The happy couple has been dating for over a year, according to the senator’s spokeswoman.
Posted: December 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Bob Menendez | Tags: Alicia Mucci, Senator Bob Menendez | 3 Comments »
Historic Ellis Island will be the site of Governor Chris Christie’s second Inaugural Celebration, according to an announcement from the Inaugural Committee.
photo by Art Gallagher. click for larger view
Woodbridge, NJ – Governor Christie’s 2014 Inaugural Committee today announced that the Grand Hall at historic Ellis Island in Jersey City will be the host venue for the Celebration of the Inauguration of Governor Chris Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
The Inaugural Celebration will take place the evening of January 21, 2014, following the traditions of a morning Inaugural service and formal noon Swearing-In Ceremony for the Governor and Lt. Governor. More details on the full schedule of Inauguration Day activities will be announced in the coming days.
In addition, www.Inaugural2014.org has been established as the Inaugural Committee’s website. The site now allows for contributions to be made and will be updated to provide the public the latest information on all Inauguration Day activities, including ticketing information for the evening reception. Space will be limited and tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
New Jersey law limits all contributions to the Inaugural Committee to $500. All proceeds from the event will go to charity.
Today, Ellis Island stands as a symbol of the hope, freedom, and promise of opportunity afforded by our state and our nation and continues to be a powerful connection for millions of Americans to their family history. Estimates suggest that nearly half of all Americans can trace their lineage to at least one ancestor who was one of the more than 12 million individuals who passed through Ellis Island during its operation as a federal immigration station. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument shared by New Jersey and New York.
The symbolism of Ellis Island for the celebration is important. For 2016, the message is a reminder that the governor won the Hispanic vote in his landslide reelection. It’s a reminder that President Obama has not gotten anything done on immigration reform, and that Christie is the guy who gets thing done.
Happening just two weeks before the Super Bowl which will be played in the Meadowlands, the choice of Ellis Island for what will undoubtedly be a high profile media event, will add to the New Jersey/New York bragging rights debate.
Is Ellis Island in New York or New Jersey? Both. Under a 1998 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the original three acre site belongs to New York, but the surrounding 24 acres that was land-filled belongs to New Jersey. Some structures on the island are in both States.
The price to attend the party is also symbolic. At $500 per pop, it is not likely that the tired, poor and huddled masses will be attending.
Posted: December 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2013 Gubernatorial Politics, 2016 Presidential Politics, Chris Christie, Immigration, Super Bowl | Tags: Chris Christie, Christie Inauguration 2014, Ellis Island, Inauguration 2014 | 1 Comment »
The National Weather Service says there’s a storm coming that could dump 3-6 inches of snow on Monmouth County.
NJ 101.5 has a list of schools that are closed throughout New Jersey.
Posted: December 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Snow | Tags: National Weather Service, School Closings, Snow | Comments Off on School Closings
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice will host a joint legal clinic today, 9am – 12:30pm, at the Bayshore Activity Center, (Seabrook-Wilson House), 719 Port Monmouth Road in Port Monmouth.
The Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force is comprised of representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the FBI, IRS, NJ Division of Taxation, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) provides comprehensive legal services to economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey through volunteer attorneys recruited and trained by VLJ. Programs include free legal counsel and advice, educational seminars on various legal matters, and direct representation for at-risk individuals facing critical civil legal issues.
Anyone in need of legal assistance due to issues that have arisen as a result of Superstorm Sandy is encourage to attend today’s clinic or to call the Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force at (855) SANDY-39 of VLJ at (855) 301-2525.
Posted: December 10th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Monmouth County Prosecutor, Superstorm Sandy | Tags: Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Superstorm Sandy, Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force, VLJ, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice | Comments Off on Legal Assistance Available For Sandy Survivors
Freeholder Director Tom Arone
By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone
Last week the Christie Administration announced the approval of $507.7 million in state funds to help fund the cost of 1,538 individual school construction projects in 331 school districts throughout the state. Of the state funding $37.8 million will go to support 171 projects in 26 school districts in Monmouth County, supporting a total of $94.4 million in school construction throughout the county.
Between state and local contributions, the total project costs of the 1,538 eligible projects are estimated to exceed $1.1 billion. The state-funded grants represent at least 40 percent of eligible costs for projects in the Regular Operating Districts and address health and safety issues, student overcrowding and other critical needs. The grants are contingent on local approval of the remaining cost to school districts. Regular Operating District grants are separate from the funding for the 31 “SDA districts,” where the Schools Development Authority is responsible for financing 100 percent of eligible costs.
The Department of Education determines the selection of school projects receiving grant funds, which are administered by the Schools Development Authority. The State Department of Education received applications for more than 2,100 individual school projects.
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Posted: December 9th, 2013 | Author: admin | Filed under: Monmouth County, Monmouth County Board of Freeholders | Tags: Grow Monmouth, Monmouth County, School funding, Tom Arnone, Woody's Roadside Tavern | 2 Comments »
By Tommy DeSeno
What helps a city fight crime? Media attention. Crime fighters don’t wish to be seen losing in the media.
Asbury Park’s gun crimes and murders get less television attention than other cities because it’s small and far from New York and Philadelphia. News 12 has to cover the state. The responsibility for keeping attention on unsolved murders in Asbury Park falls then on the Asbury Park Press.
Regarding Asbury Park killings, we’ve seen the Monmouth County prosecutor blame the city police, the county prosecutor make no progress himself and everyone blame the City Council. It was announced last week that state troopers will patrol the city, but car patrols lend themselves mostly to traffic tickets.
Left out of the conversation thus far is a very important crime fighter — U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. He is a well-schooled, honorable lawyer who has spent his career fighting crime, including a concentration on illegal narcotics, the antecedent problem that leads to gangs and murder.
Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie built a legacy of putting corrupt politicians in jail. Former U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani prosecuted organized crime. Fishman can have a more honorable distinction than both of them — saving young lives and removing fear from a community.
Nationwide, the U.S. Attorney’s office has a nearly $2 billion budget, and New Jersey’s district is the fifth largest in America, with 145 lawyers and support staff. Fishman has resources. More importantly, he wields an effective crime-fighting law: The Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations statute (RICO).
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Posted: December 8th, 2013 | Author: admin | Filed under: Asbury Park, Crime, Crime and Punishment | Tags: Asbury Park, Asbury Park Crime, Asbury Park Gangs, Gangs, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, RICO, Tommy DeSeno, U.S. Attorney's Office | 4 Comments »
