Christie comes home to reach across the aisle for campaign cash

Kim Guadagno will not be the Acting Governor today. Chris Christie is returning to the Soprano State to raise money to stimulate the New Hampshire economy.

NorthJersey.com reports that Christie’s fundraiser is being hosted by two registered Democrats and will be held at the Saddle River home of a deceased trucking magnate who was once convicted of racketeering in a case involving payoffs to the Genovese crime family.

Columba Bush, wife of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will also be in Saddle River tonight.  The former Florida First Lady will be joining Jets owner Woody Johnson and State Senator Joe Kyrilllos in raising funds for husband’s presidential campaign at the home of of clothing manufacturer George Altirs and his wife Elisabeth, according to the NorthJersey.com report.

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What if Menendez resigns?

Senator Bob Menendez, left, and Congressman Frank Pallone, making like chimpmunks at the 2012 Belmar St. Patrick’s parade. Photo credit Charles Measley

First of all, Senator Bob Menendez might not even be indicted.  Leaks out of the Justice Department have been notoriously unreliable since Chris Christie resigned as U.S. Attorney in 2008.

If Menendez is indicted, he probably will not resign. In his press conference this evening, the Senator defiantly insisted on the “appropriateness and lawfulness” of his relationship with Dr. Salomon Melgen, the Florida ophthalmologist who is Menendez’s friend and benefactor. He declared that he is not going anywhere.

If, as CNN speculates, Menendez is charged with corruption this month, it could be Halloween before he goes to trial. Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell was indicted in January of 2014.  His trial didn’t start until late July and didn’t end to early September.   Unless Menendez makes a deal to avoid prosecution that includes his resignation, there is not likely to be a Special Election to fill the Senate seat until next year….2016, the year of the next presidential election.

If Chris Christie is still Governor in 2016 and Menendez’s seat becomes vacant, he will get to choose the next Senator and set the date a special election.   There could be a mid-year Special Election or the Special Election could be on the same day as the presidential election.  There’s no way to know now what is likely to happen.

Still, the prospect of a Senatorial vacancy stirs speculation and the phone lines among both Democrats and Republicans have been burning this afternoon since the news of the possible prosecution broke.

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Super (Bowl) Grant For Youth Recreational Facilities

Highlands Mayor Frank Nolan, Jets owner Woody Johnson, and Douglas Eagles, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County.

The NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced yesterday that they are awarding $1.5 million to New Jersey youth serving agencies for repairs to recreational facilities and equipment that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

The announcement took place at the headquarters of the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development in Perth Amboy, in a play room that has recently been renovated with the first $100 thousand distributed of the $1.5 million dollar grant.

The funds are being distributed through the NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation, the newly formed non-profit arm of the Super Bowl Host Committee.  The mission of the NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation is to transform after-school facilities for youth in New Jersey and the New York metro area.  They are focused on assisting these locations that provide school-age boys and girls with safe and supervised recreational, educational, and character-building activities.

Jets owner Woody Johnson, Co-Chair of the Super Bowl Host Committee and great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson, was on hand for the announcement, as were Al Kelly, President and CEO of the Host Committee, John Lumpkin, MD, Directo r of the Health Care Group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, State Senator Joseph Vitale, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz and Highlands Mayor Frank Nolan

The Monmouth County communities of Belmar, Highlands and Manasquan will be beneficiaries of the grant.  In Belmar and Masasquan, outdoor recreational facilities of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County will be refurbished.  In Highlands, the indoor building and the playground of the Robert D. Wilson Memorial Community Center will be renovated.

Elsewhere in New Jersey, youth recreational facilities in Seaside Heights, Moonachie, Rahway, Toms River and Hackensack are slated to receive financial support.

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WrestleMania Coming To New Jersey

WestleMania XXIX will be held at MetLife Stadium in April 2013. Photo/Graphic: WWE.com

New Jersey will be the host of WrestleMania XXIX in April of 2013.

Governor Chris Christie, “The Rock,” NFL owners John Mara and Woody Johnson and WWE CEO Vince McMahon will announce the event at a press conference this morning at MetLife Stadium.

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Little “Leaning” Towards U.S. Senate Race

Former Highlands Mayor and former Freeholder Anna Little is considering a primary run for the GOP nomination to challenge U.S. Senator Robert Menendez in 2012.

An announcement posted on TPATH, a website run by Tea Party activist Dwight Kehoe, declared that Little is running:

Breaking News – (TPATH)  Anna Little, one of New Jersey’s most dynamic supporters of the Constitution and smaller government, has set her sights on the US Senate race in 2012.

Anna announced today that her battle to unseat one of Obama’s most ardent supporters, Robert Menendez, will run hand in hand with the battle to save America by making Obama a one term President. She intends to use all her resources, energy and considerable enthusiasm towards that goal.

 
The Anna Little For Senate Campaign
Will be holding its first campaign meeting this coming:
Tuesday
November 15, 2011
at 5:00PM
Keyport IHOP.

Little’s spokesman Larry Cirgnano told Politickernj that the 2010 6th Congressional District nominee is “leaning” towards the Senate race.

State Senator Joe Kyrillos has established an exploratory committee for the Senate nomination and is considered the front runner by GOP insiders.  State Senator Michael Doherty and former Roxbury Mayor Tim Smith are also expected to compete for the nomination.  Jets owner Woody Johnson has been rumored to be considering a run.

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