2011 Power List and Year in Review - PolitickerNJ.com

PolitickerNJ.com
Power list 2011
PolitickerNJ.com
10 PolitickerNJ
22
Dale
23
Andrew
24
Ray
25
Andrew
26
Tom
27
Michael
28
David
29
Michael
Florio
Founder and Managing Partner of Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.
With a deep bench of lobbyists working for him on both sides of the aisle, veteran insider Florio
remains the state’s premier State Street fixture, a politically savvy former county party chair who
knows everyone and consequently has a big list of clients. As usual, among lobbyists Florio had one
of the biggest annual big dollar hauls.
Hendry
Executive Director of the Senate Democratic Majority Office
A veteran of the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services, Hendry has policy heft that no one else
around state Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) can match. Regardless of policy background,
staffers quickly become political experts in the presence of Hendry, who also has proved himself a
solid Sweeney loyalist.
Pocino
National Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager of the Laborers International
Union of North America (LIUNA)
This union boss built inroads to the governor this year and took an active role in pushing through
approval of the toll hike by the Port Authority board on which he sits. He represents 40,000
construction workers who figure to get much needed work when the PANYNJ ramps up its
construction efforts. Christie made his only union local visit since his election this year to Laborers
Local 472 and Pocino’s laborers were a top contributor to the legislative battles.
Sidamon Eristoff
State Treasurer
Even though he’s from New York, Sidamon-Eristoff’s background as a New York City councilman
gives him an edge while wading through the egos in Trenton. As the budget goes, so goes Trenton
and Sidamon-Eristoff is the man in charge of spending.
Martello
Trenton Bureau Chief, Star-Ledger
In command of the Statehouse Press Corps’ biggest bureau for the state’s paper of record, the
veteran Martello possesses what sadly today is too often a newsroom rarity: a combination of
reporting and editing skills and institutional knowledge. Martello also has the benefit of a newsman’s
perfect close range subject in political animal Christie.
Drewniak
Press Secretary to the Governor
The administration spokesman goes back to the U.S. Attorney days with his boss and over time
has taken on the same brashness and directness the GOP celebrates in Christie. Unlike many
spokesmen, Drewniak has near carte blanche to speak on behalf of the administration, a sign that the
veteran has the trust of a boss known for micromanaging.
Sciarra
Executive Director of the Education Law Center
Arguably no other single individual scored a victory over the governor as resounding as Sciarra did
when he challenged the administration’s education funding cuts this year and won on a decision
by the state Supreme Court. Worried about the impact of Christie’s education reforms on the
poor, Sciarra intends to stay in a forward position on the issue as the state wades further into the
turbulence of education reform. Count on him being visible and vocal.
Critchley
Defense Attorney
The powerhouse lawyer provided insiders with the best political analysis of the year when he received
his award at number 10’s annual event at the Breakers. There are no Republicans or Democrats anymore
in the era of the Christie-Norcross-DiVincenzo axis, Critchley declared. There are only “registered
opportunists.” Critchley remains the top level attorney to call if number 19 comes-a-knocking.