A 2018 Wave Is Building

From Political Wire:
December 13, 2017


First Read: “If you thought Moore’s flaws — and the allegations against him — were the only reason why Republicans lost in Alabama, you haven’t been paying attention to 2017. The seven major races this year have underscored that Democratic voters are fired up, that Republican ones aren’t and that Trump is unpopular, even in red states.”

“This is how a wave happens, and the wave heading in 2018 got bigger and bigger during every contest this year — first in Georgia (which Democrats still lost), then in Virginia last month and then Alabama last night.”

Nate Silver: “Not every race is going to go as badly for Republicans as this Alabama Senate election — but if enough go half as badly, or even a third as badly, they’re still in for a rough time next year.”

Give Pallone Dem Senate nod

In case you missed it, the Asbury Park Press  yesterday endorsed a candidate for the August 13th special Democratic primary election to replace the late Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate. The Asbury Park Press endorsed Congressman Frank Pallone as the best Democrat in the race to replace Lautenberg in the Senate.

Here is what they said:

If we are to believe the pundits and pollsters, New Jersey might just as well skip the special U.S. Senate election and start polishing up the late Frank Lautenberg’s old seat for Newark Mayor Cory Booker. 

Congressman Frank Pallone

Booker is indeed the heavy favorite. But he’s not the best choice, not in the Democratic primary on Aug. 13. Our endorsement goes to Rep. Frank Pallone, who has earned the nod with a long and distinguished legislative career that has yielded many benefits for New Jersey, and especially his 6th Congressional District, which stretches from Jersey Shore towns all the way up to Middlesex County. 

Voters can’t go wrong, no matter which way they lean in this primary. The other challengers — Rep. Rush Holt and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver — can offer to New Jerseyans their own admirable records of achievement and service. 

But Pallone has done the most in Washington, playing leading roles in environmental causes favorable to New Jersey as well as a variety of health care reforms. Pallone has a long history on Capitol Hill — first elected to Congress in 1988 — and knows where to go and who to see to get things done, an important advantage for a new senator. 

Booker has an anointed-one vibe at the moment, a fast-rising star whom his supporters see as a future president. He is a dynamic speaker with a youthful vitality that leads to bold — some say spotlight-grabbing — moves to carry his message. 

He ran into a burning building to save a neighbor. He shoveled snow for residents on Christmas. He went on a 10-day hunger strike in the Newark projects to draw attention — and more police presence — to one of the most drug-infested areas of the city. 

Booker also claims to have spearheaded a broad recovery for his city symbolized in part by rare Newark sights — new hotels, a new supermarket, and vast urban farming. 

But Booker’s image still outshines his accomplishments. Dig a little behind some of the claims of Newark’s renaissance and you’ll find a different picture, at least in some eyes. Crime and unemployment numbers are open to interpretation, not all of it good. The origins of many of the economic development advances date back before Booker’s regime. Booker’s critics say the mayor is far more concerned about burnishing his national image than doing the dirty work of running a major, troubled city. 

In short, the substance behind Booker’s style is hard to identify, and often doesn’t hold up well to closer scrutiny. 

Pallone, 61, can point to the many tangible benefits of his willingness to work the system and find solutions. He is particularly proud of his success in banning ocean dumping off New Jersey’s shores, a key pledge during his winning campaign for Congress in 1988 for the first of his 13 terms. He has continued to protect the shoreline in many ways, including persistent opposition to offshore drilling. 

On health care, he is one of the principal architects of the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — which itself says a lot about his expertise, regardless of anyone’s opinion of the law. 

Most of all, though, Pallone is a grinder who knows the players and can work the Washington backrooms and corridors in making deals. He is campaigning on that image, contrasting it to Booker’s showmanship and speechifying that, to Pallone’s way of thinking, will accomplish little. 

Holt and Oliver deserve some attention as well. Holt has been playing off his “nerd” image in Web ads that note his defeat of a computer in “Jeopardy” while calling for a “speculation tax” that would rein in Wall Street excesses. That’s classic Holt – thoughtful, intelligent policy-making that goes off the beaten path, and doesn’t necessarily press the buttons of the electorate, even if it should. Holt, more than most Washington politicians, is always worth a listen, regardless of the topic. 

Oliver champions herself as a pragmatist, pointing to, among other things, her support of pension and benefits reforms that didn’t win her many friends among fellow Democrats. While her power as speaker has occasionally veered into obstructionism, it has also served as a bulwark against some of the extremes of Gov. Chris Christie’s reign. 

One school of thought has long been that Pallone was a kind of heir apparent to Lautenberg’s seat, and he has the support of the Lautenberg family. That, however, was before Booker’s comet started shooting skyward. But we urge voters not to be blinded by Booker’s celebrity. Choose the candidate who can do the job best. That’s Pallone.

You Can Count On Frank

Congressman Frank Pallone's campaign for U.S. Senate released a new TV ad  today titled, "You can Count on Frank". The commercial highlights Pallone's record of achievements in Congress, including his leadership in passing President Obama's landmark health care reform bill, the Affordable Care Act as well as his work to clean up the environment and fighting the Tea Party to protect Social Security and Medicare. Front and center in the ad is Pallone's commitment to fighting for middle class New Jerseyans.

Special Elections - Voter Registration Deadline Approaching

The League of Women Voters has reminded us that the voter registration deadline for the upcoming Special Primary Election for office of U.S. Senate is Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

Voter registration forms are available here.

About Primary Elections
New Jersey holds closed primaries, meaning voters select from candidates within their declared party. Although the deadline to change your party affiliation for the upcoming primary has passed, registered unaffiliated voters (those who have not declared a party affiliation) may declare a party affiliation on primary election day at the polls and vote in that party's primary.


Special Primary Election: Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Deadline to register to vote or change address: July 23, 2013
Deadline to apply by mail for mail-in ballot: August 6, 2013 - Note: County Clerk must receive application by this date.
Deadline to apply in-person for mail-in ballot: August 12, 2013, 3:00 pm

Special General Election: Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Deadline to register to vote or change address: September 25, 2013
Deadline to apply by mail for mail-in ballot: October 9, 2013 - Note: County Clerk must receive application by this date.
Deadline to apply in-person for mail-in ballot: October 15, 2013, 3:00 pm

November General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Deadline to register to vote or change address: October 15, 2013
Deadline to apply by mail for mail-in ballot: October 29, 2013 - Note: County Clerk must receive application by this date.
Deadline to apply in-person for mail-in ballot: November 4, 2013, 3:00 pm

Buono Statement Following Passage of Assembly Bill Moving General Election Date to October 16

New Brunswick, NJ – yesterday, the New Jersey General Assembly passed legislation temporarily moving the general election date to October 16. In response, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono released the following statement:

"Rather than waste more than $24 million in taxpayer money and create needless voter confusion, Governor Christie could take one of two routes: holding both the special Senate election and the gubernatorial election on October 16, or hold both on November 5. Instead, he's chosen a third option – holding two separate elections within three weeks of each other, all for his own political gain. It's a slap in the face to taxpayers, and Chris Christie should be held accountable for his actions."

Monmouth Dem Candidates Praise Republican Freeholder For Speaking Out Against Christie's Special Election

Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell

Democratic  candidates  for  Monmouth  County  Freeholder  Larry  Luttrell  and  Brian Froelich  praised  Republican  Freeholder  John Curley  for  coming  out  against  Chris   Christie’s  decision  to  hold  a  special  election  in  October.  Most  of  the  $24  million  price   tag  for  the  two  special  elections  will  be  passed  down  to  individual  counties.  The October elections will cost Monmouth County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Freeholder  Curley  blasted  the  Christie’s  decision  to  “throw  the  burden  on  the  county”   for  the  special  election,  which  will  occur  less  than  three  weeks  before  the   November  general  election.  “With  all  the  problems  from  Sandy,  now  we’re  left  with   towns  are  devastated  and  the  tax  base  is  deficient,”  said  Curley.  “I  believe  the  county   should  be  paid  before  [the  special  election].”

Democratic Freeholder candidate Larry Luttrell agreed, "Monmouth taxpayers  shouldn't  be  forced  to  pay  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  for  Chris Christie's  political  games.  If  Christie  wants  this  election  in  October  so  bad,  we  should   let  him  pay  for  it, not  the  hard-­working  residents  of  this  county."

Despite  objections  from  Freeholder  Curley,  his  Republican  colleague,  Tom  Arnone   supports  the  October  special  election.  “What  the  governor  has  supported  is  the   correct  avenue  to  take,”  Arnone  said.

" I'm not surprised at Mr. Arnone's position" added Freeholder candidate Brian Froelich.  “Fleecing  the  Monmouth  County  taxpayers  for  their  own  political  gain  is  business  as  usual  for  Arnone  and  DiMaso.”

For  more  information  on  the  Democratic  Freeholder  candidates,  go to www.bettermonmouth.com.

Local Governments, Elected Leaders Slam Excessive Cost of Christie’s Special Election

For Immedate Release:

This week, local governments and elected officials across New Jersey decried the exorbitant cost of Governor Christie’s decision to hold an extra election on a Wednesday in October only three weeks before the general election. His cynical ploy to suppress voter turnout is going to cost New Jersey’s taxpayers well beyond $24 million. With no plans to pay for the costs immediately, local governments are scrambling to rearrange their budgets and calling the decision ‘mind-numbing’, ‘fiscally irresponsible’, and ‘bad governing.’ Read for yourself below.

Special Senate primary, election will cost Bergen County $1.6M apiece, clerk says
By S.P. Sullivan//The Star-Ledger
The special Senate primary and election to replace the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg will cost $1.6 million each to pull off, the Bergen County Clerk said this week. "There's a lot of costs that come with putting an election together," John Hogan told NJ.com. "Even though there may be a lesser turnout, you still have to put the same amount of work in."

Hunterdon County legislators continue to push back against N.J. special election
By Andrew George//The Express-Times
Democratic state legislators from Hunterdon County are continuing a push this week to change the date of this November's general election to coincide with the special election scheduled for October. On Monday, state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat whose 15th District covers parts of Hunterdon and Mercer counties, introduced a bill he cosponsored with Assemblywoman Linda Stender aiming to change the general election from Nov. 5 to Oct. 16, the scheduled date for the special election.

..."What is truly mind-numbing is to expect voters to return to the ballot booths three times in three months at a great cost to taxpayers in reopening schools shut down for the summer, paying poll workers and providing overtime for added police security," Gusciora said in a statement earlier in the week.

Bergen County freeholders seek court order requiring state to pay for special Senate election
By Jim Norman//The Record
The Bergen County freeholders agreed unanimously Wednesday to direct their attorney to seek a court order requiring the state to pay for the costs of the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Frank Lautenberg. Noting that the election — set by Governor Christie for Oct. 16 after Aug. 13party primaries — would add $3.6 million to budgeted election costs, the county is asking for immediate reimbursement from the state.

Monmouth officials want state to pay special election cost up front
By Christopher Robbins//The Star-Ledger
Monmouth County officials are happy to hold a special election for U.S. Senator in October, but they would like the state to pay the costs up front. “We budgeted for the November election and the primary, we did not budget for this election,” Freeholder Gary Rich said. “We are reaching out to the state and asking if they could to fund this up front.” At their next meeting, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will consider a resolution to request that the state pay for the Oct. 16 special election and the Aug. 13 party primaries.

Union County Freeholders decline to fund special U.S. Senate election
By Richard Khavkine//The Star-Ledger
Calling Gov. Chris Christie's decision to hold a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant after the recent death of Frank Lautenberg just weeks before an already scheduled election fiscally irresponsible, the Union County Freeholders on Thursday night declined to allocate the roughly $850,000 to fund the special balloting day, scheduled for October. Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh said holding two elections within weeks at such a cost was an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. "To have a special general election three weeks before (the scheduled election), that doesn't make any sense," Jalloh said this morning. "I haven't been given an good reason as to why we would fund this twice."

Mercer County freeholders express concerns about special October elections
Times of Trenton
The all-Democratic Mercer County Board of Freeholders said last night they are concerned about the impact of the special October election on local voters and budgets. Their objections coincided with an Appellate Court ruling yesterday that the October election can be held as scheduled. “Without question, the Governor was authorized to call a special election in this circumstance,” state Superior Court Judge Jane Grall wrote.

PALLONE STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION

LONG BRANCH - Following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a challenge to Governor Christie’s decision to move the special election for United States Senator to October, Congressman Frank Pallone released the following statement:

“The Supreme Court’s refusal today to even hear a challenge to the Governor’s decision to move the special election to October is simply astounding. The waste associated with Governor Christie’s political maneuver that will be taxed upon New Jerseyeans is significant. The Governor’s aggressively partisan decision reeks of the same voter suppression tactics employed by Tea Party Republicans across the country and is the type of action I have spent my entire career fighting. In a democracy, we should all be striving to increase voter participation and civic engagement. Like many in New Jersey, I had hoped the Supreme Court would at least allow a fair and just hearing on this matter which clearly holds great import for people across the state. Their decision to not even provide the opportunity to be heard is unfortunate, and a disservice to New Jersey’s voters."

Buono Statement on State Supreme Court Decision

New Brunswick, NJ – Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono released the following statement:

“Regardless of today's Supreme Court decision, Governor Christie’s choice to hold the U.S. Senate special election on a Wednesday in October is still a conscious effort to discourage voter participation. His shamelessly cynical decision is a deliberate effort to confuse New Jersey voters and will cost taxpayers well beyond $24 million. By holding two elections three weeks apart, he is clearly guided only by what is best for him, not what is best for New Jersey. It is just another example of the cynical conservative philosophy that disenfranchising voters is a viable path to victory."

Monmouth Freeholders Want Christie To Pay For Special Elections Upfront

Even in the Republican stronghold of Monmouth County, where Governor Christie won with over 60% of the vote in 2009, members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders think its a waste of money to hold a special election in October

Monmouth County Freeholders Gary Rich, John Curley and Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone, think it's a bad idea to waste of millions of dollars in taxpayer money to hold a special election in October to replace Frank Lautenberg, when we could just have an  election three weeks later and save New Jersey taxpayers $12 million (that is unless the state pays for it upfront and doesn't leave the county holding the bag).

From NJ.com:

Monmouth County officials are happy to hold a special election for U.S. Senator in October, but they would like the state to pay the costs up front.

“We budgeted for the November election and the primary, we did not budget for this election,” Freeholder Gary Rich said. “We are reaching out to the state and asking if they could to fund this up front.”

At their next meeting, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders will consider a resolution to request that the state pay for the Oct. 16 special election and the Aug. 13 party primaries.

At issue are two elections, a primary and a special election, to fill the seat vacated by the late Frank Lautenberg. Typically, counties budget to equip and staff polls each election year, and are later reimbursed by the state.

“With the special elections, the state is throwing the burden on the county, and I believe the county should be paid before them,” Freeholder John Curley said. “We’re struggling as a coastal county with all the problems from Sandy, now we’re left with towns that are devastated and the tax base is deficient.”

Because the special election wasn’t arranged until after Monmouth County passed its budget, it will have to do some re-arranging to finance the several-hundred-thousand dollar cost of two election days.

“The cost is going to be absorbed into the budget this year,” Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone said. “This would be a special emergency appropriation that would be raised through next year’s tax dollars. You receive money back from the state at the end of the year, so it would come back to neutral in the long run, but it would make it easier if we got it first.”

Statewide, the special election has a $12 million estimated cost.

Curley said it would be better if the senatorial election was moved back to the general election, saving all agencies money.... Continue reading

PALLONE FOR SENATE ANNOUNCES MIDDLESEX ENDORSEMENTS

(Long Branch) – Middlesex County Elected officials announced their endorsement of Frank Pallone today and released the following statement:

Frank Pallone has been a leader in the Democratic Party for years and he is clearly the best choice to be our next United States Senator. He's been leading the charge in the fight for Democratic values and has always been on the front lines without hesitation for President Obama. Whether it is the fight to increase the federal minimum wage, the work he's done to protect our drinking water for our kids and grandkids or the leadership role he took in securing federal Sandy aid, Frank Pallone is always standing up for New Jersey's middle class.

"I am grateful to receive the endorsement from Middlesex County leaders. My only mandate each day is to fight for New Jersey's middle class taxpayers and remain undeterred by special interests and the Tea Party conservatives who would attack our Democratic principles. I believe it is most important to stand up for the things we believe in as Democrats and never back down from that fight,” said Pallone.

The following elected officials have announced their support for Congressman Frank Pallone in the August Special Election Primary:

Senator Bob Smith (D-17)
Assemblyman Joe Egan (D-17)
Assemblyman Peter Barnes III (D-18)
Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-18)
Senator Joe Vitale (D-19)
Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19)
Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19)
County Clerk Elaine Flynn
Surrogate Kevin Hoagland
Freeholder Director Ronald Rios
Freeholder Deputy Director Blanquita B. Valenti
Freeholder Carol Barrett
Freeholder James Polos
Freeholder Charles Tomaro
Mayor James Cahill – New Brunswick
Mayor Frederick Henry - South Amboy
Mayor John McCormac – Woodbridge
Mayor Gary Minkoff – Highland Park
Mayor Dan Reiman – Carteret
Mayor Thomas Vahalla - Metuchen
Mayor Brian Wahler –Piscataway

Mayor Frank Minor Attacks Christie for Trying to Suppress New Jersey Voters

“This is neither good government nor ‘Jersey attitude. In Jersey everyone gets a fair shot."

Adding to the growing discontent with Governor Chris Christie’s decision to move the United States Senate special general election to October 16, Mayor Frank Minor today attacked Christie for being a hypocrite while engaging in efforts to suppress voter turnout throughout the state.

“Governor Christie has built a national brand for himself on the premise of good government and ‘Jersey attitude’,” said Mayor Minor. “But those of us actually living in this state know his pumped up national reputation to be smoke and mirrors. Governor Christie moved the special general election date to October 16 with the full knowledge that it would keep voter turnout down in the election for United States Senate and in his election for governor. There is no other reasonable assumption. With 700,000 more registered Democrats, the highest unemployment numbers in the region and an, on average, twenty percent increase on property tax bills across New Jersey during his tenure as governor, Chris Christie is deploying every trick in the book to suppress the vote and keep people home on Election Day. This is neither good government nor ‘Jersey attitude’ because, in our state everyone gets a fair shot."

Sen. Ron Rice, Sr. Slams Christie for Voter Suppression Efforts

“Christie is showing he truly is a national frontrunner”

New Brunswick, N.J. – Citing Governor Christie’s decision to move the United States Senate special general election to October 16, just twenty days ahead of the regularly scheduled general election day, Sen. Ron Rice, Sr. today slammed the Governor for his efforts to suppress voter turnout throughout the state.

“Governor Christie can hide behind statutes, Office of Legislative Services opinions and late night talk show hosts as much as he’d like,” said Sen. Rice. “The reality is that what he is doing with this year’s United States Senate general election date is no different than efforts made by Republicans around the country in recent years to suppress the Democratic vote and, in particular, the minority vote. All across the country, from Florida to Ohio to Arizona, Republicans have tried every legal maneuver at their disposal to try and ensure less minority turnout in elections. With over 700,000 more registered Democratic voters in New Jersey, Governor Christie is choosing to hide behind a state statute and slow jams with Jimmy Fallon rather than do the right thing and make sure as many people as possible engage in the civic process of selecting our state’s next United States Senator. In the area of suppressing the vote, Christie is showing he truly is a national frontrunner for the Republican Party.”

Cory Booker: the inexorable rise of Newark's neoliberal egomaniac

A scathing and rather unflattering portrayal of Newark's Mayor Cory Booker, written by Jason Farago of the Guardian, appeared online earlier this week. This critical critique of Booker is pretty harsh and not at all off-base.

 "..it seems far more likely that the next senator from New Jersey will be the anti-Lautenberg: a neoliberal egomaniac who sees government as nothing more than a charity for billionaires and corporations to support as they please. There may be no stopping the rise and rise of Cory Booker. But let's at least recognize his impending triumph for what it is: another victory for the men in the glass towers, enabled by a nonstop publicity campaign waged 140 characters at a time."

Once you dig beneath Booker's superhero, social media persona, the true Cory Booker starts to emerge. His real record in Newark, I'm sorry to say, isn't that impressive and his critics are many. Rush Holt and Frank Pallone, his opponents for the open US Senate seat, are already knocking his record on education, something that Jason Farago also pointed out when asking whatever happened to the $100M Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg gave the city of Newark for improvements to its school system.

Booker's campaign to become the Junior Senator of New Jersey isn't going to be an easy one, he is going to have to answer some very tough questions from Holt, Pallone and Sheila Oliver, all of whom wanting to succeed Frank Lautenberg for his open seat.

Pallone Announces His Senate Team

(Long Branch, NJ) – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. announced his campaign team today.

“I am extremely proud of the team that we have assembled for this race,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. “The extraordinary circumstances that surround this campaign demand the highest quality professionals as we bring my record of leadership and experience to the people of New Jersey. I believe that we have assembled a team here that is unparalleled.”

Polling – Anzalone Liszt Research, Washington,D.C.

Anzalone Liszt Research is a public opinion research firm specializing in message development and strategic consulting for nearly 20 years. ALR has helped to elect Democratic candidates at all levels including President Barack Obama, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the DSCC, the DCCC and the DGA, the NJ Senate Democrats and the Bergen, Middlesex, and Union Democratic Parties

Media – The Campaign Group, Inc., Philadelphia, P.A.

With over 32 years in business, The Campaign Group is one of the most experienced political media consulting firms in the country. The Campaign Group has an impressive list of over 500 clients across the country ranging from Corporate and International Clients to U.S. Senate and House of Representative races including Congressman Rob Andrews and the late Congressman John Adler.

Field – Crossroads Campaign Solutions, Washington, D.C.

Crossroads has worked with a broad array of clients from around the country including high profile US Senate races, Congressional races, campaigns for city council, national issue advocacy organizations, and local ballot initiatives. Most recently, in New Jersey, they were instrumental in the election of Steve Fulop for Mayor in Jersey City and the reelection campaign of Senator Bob Menendez.

General Consultant – Sean Darcy, Round World Consulting

Sean Darcy is the former spokesman for New Jersey Governors Richard J. Codey and Jon S. Corzine. Darcy was also Communications Director for Corzine for Governor and a chief operative in Congressman Bill Pascrell's 2012 Primary and General Elections. Darcy founded Round World Consulting in 2009.

Finance - Berger Hirschberg Strategies, LLC., Washington, D.C

Berger Hirschberg Strategies is Washington D.C.'s premier political fundraising and non-profit consulting firm. In just under 10 years, they have raised just under $200 million for non-profit organizations, candidates and political campaigns across the country including the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Joe Donnelly.

Monmouth County Democrats Back Pallone for US Senate

The Monmouth County Democrats will back one of their own for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming special Democratic Primary scheduled for August.  Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal issued a statement ealier announcing his organization's intention to back Congressman Frank Pallone for U.S. Senate.

"I am proud to endorse Congressman Frank Pallone for the Democratic Nomination for US Senate in August's special election for the seat previously held by the late Senator Frank Lautenberg. In consultation with Democratic Mayors and elected officials across the county, from Marlboro to Belmar, the overwhelming majority of our Democratic elected officials are supporting their home county Congressman, in Frank Pallone. Congressman Pallone has been a tireless advocate for families across Monmouth County. During his 23 years in the U.S. Congress, Frank Pallone has been New Jersey’s strongest voice for protecting and preserving all 127 miles of the Jersey Shore from Cape May to Sandy Hook.

Frank Pallone has championed worker’s rights, environmental rights, LGBT rights, women’s rights and other progressive causes important to Democrats. In consultation with my executive board, we will proudly designate the Monmouth County Democrats slogan to Congressman Frank Pallone, our next U. S. Senator."

In response Congressman Pallone issued the following stated:

"I would like to thank Chairman Gopal for publicly declaring his support for my campaign for United States Senate," said Pallone. "Monmouth County Democrats have proven time and again they have a remarkable capacity for organizing and fighting for the principles that make our party great. In the coming weeks of this campaign we will be taking our message directly to people all across New Jersey to let them know that as United States Senator my focus will be on getting people back to work. We need to fight for New Jersey's working and middle class and I am proud to have Monmouth County Democrats by my side in that battle

Pallone Statement on Briefs Filed Challenging Gov. Christie's Decision To Hold Special Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11th, 2013

(Long Branch) -- Following multiple legal challenges calling in to question Governor Christie's decision to hold a special election on October 16th for the United States Senate seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. released the following statement.

"The Governor's original decision to call for the special general election three weeks before the regularly scheduled general was simply outrageous.

Any person thinking logically can see it makes no sense to charge New Jersey taxpayers millions of dollars to advance possible voter suppression. Not to mention that the Governor has vetoed legislation that would allow for early voting in this state citing the cost. Wouldn't that be the more sensible use of taxpayer dollars and time? The people of New Jersey deserve the capability to have their voices heard in deciding the next United States Senator from New Jersey and we should do everything in our power to make sure they are provided that opportunity.

A true democracy should do all that it can to encourage people to vote. I applaud all of those individuals and groups involved in the fight to make sure that happens."

Pallone Makes It Official, "I'm In"

TRENTON, NJ— At an afternoon press conference in Trenton, NJ, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced his candidacy to fill the remaining term of the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Immediately prior to hand-delivering nominating petitions signed by supporters to New Jersey’s Division of Elections, Pallone told a crowd of gathered reporters of his intention to run for the open Senate seat.


“Today, I am proud to stand here and declare my candidacy to be the next U.S. Senator from the great state of New Jersey,” said Pallone. “Although I wish this opportunity to run for the seat vacated as a result of the loss of my good friend and colleague, Senator Frank Lautenberg, had never risen, I am committed to carrying on his legacy of fighting for New Jersey.”

Pallone, a 13 term Congressman from Long Branch spoke of his long record of advocating for all New Jerseyans and laid out some of his top priorities.

“I’m in,” said Pallone. “I’m in this race because families in our state and throughout the nation are hurting, and I believe that we have a responsibility to roll up our sleeves, get to work and help. Throughout my career, I have been committed to public service and to the idea that, no matter the size of the challenge, I would continue to stand and fight and work toward sensible solutions.”

A progressive Democrat with a long record of achieving results for New Jersey, Pallone cited his core Democratic principles and belief that government can be a tool for good as influencing his decision to run for the Senate.

“I’m running for the Senate because we need to focus on getting people back to work, rebuilding our economy, making sure our environment is clean and safe for future generations, and standing up for equality for all Americans,” said Pallone. “We can’t wait for solutions. We need results from proven leaders now, which is why I am entering this race and why I am asking for the support of New Jerseyans to be our state’s next Senator. I have never backed down from a fight, regardless of how long the odds are, and I will continue to stand firm in my fight for New Jersey.”

Assembly Speaker Oliver To Seek U.S. Senate Seat

The race to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg for the U.S. Senate just got a little more crowded last night according to PolitickerNJ, when NJ Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver announced in East Brunswick that she will be a candidate to succeed Lautenberg and would file petitions in Trenton later today seeking his open seat.

Oliver has been playing coy by not saying whether or not she intended to run in this years special election even though she has been quietly gathering signatures this past week.

When Speaker Oliver makes it official by dropping off her petitions, she will join Congressmen Rush Holt and Frank Pallone and Newark Mayor Cory Booker as declared candidates who will face off against each other during an August primary that will determine who will face an as of yet, unnamed Republican challenger.  

Pallone to Announce Senate Campaign Tomorrow

It is widely expected Congressman Frank Pallone will announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate tomorrow afternoon after handing in petitions containing over a 1,000 signatures from supporters from  all around his 6th Congressional District and State at the New Jersey Division of Elections.   Pallone will be running in the special election this fall to replace Frank Lautenberg who passed away last week.

Pallone will be hold a press conference on the steps of the New Jersey Division of Elections in Trenton tomorrow afternoon at 1:30pm, he will deliver a statement announcing his candidacy then answer questions.

I wish Pallone well, he's my congressman and I like him but he will have stiff competition for the nomination, both Congressman Rush Holt and Newark Mayor Cory Booker have announced their intentions to enter the race.