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politics
by Ha r r y Hu r l e y, Political Ed i t o r o f Th e Boa r d wa l k Jo u r n a l
A “Hurley” Look at Decision 2013
No sooner than we exit Decision 2012, and we’ve already
entered an important election year in 2013—right here in Atlantic
County and the state of New Jersey.
The top prize on the ballot is the Governor of New Jersey.
Governor Chris Christie has already declared his intentions to run
for a second term.
On this day, Governor Christie’s job approval rating is 67%
and 77% in two separate public opinion polls. Those are historic
heights for any New Jersey Governor, but especially so for a
Republican Governor in the deep dark blue Garden State.
Make no mistake about it, Governor Christie’s poll numbers
have been dramatically affected because of the excellent leadership
he demonstrated during Super Storm Sandy.
Of course, Christie’s numbers will come back down to Earth.
But for three years, Christie has hovered above 50 percent job
approval, which is tough for a Republican, whereas Democrats
and Independent voters who lean Democratic, hold a wide margin
versus Republicans.
Look for Governor Christie to keep a laser beam focus on
restoration efforts in New Jersey and he’ll let the electoral matters
take care of themselves.
The Democrats are hoping that Newark Mayor Cory Booker
will run. Booker is the most credible candidate that the Democrats
can field against Christie.
Booker is a rising star, who has the political chops and the
fundraising capabilities to wage a highly competitive campaign.
In the end, Booker will be tempted, but, he will opt not to take
Christie on in 2013. Booker would be poised for a run in 2017 and
become the instant front-runner.
There have been whispers that New Jersey Senate President
Stephen Sweeney, D-3 is also considering a run. Sweeney is a great
guy and he’s been a wonderful friend to Atlantic County and the
Atlantic City Casino Industry.
However, Sweeney’s Senate seat is up in 2013. He would
have to forfeit his seat to take on Christie. I don’t see him willing
to do that.
New Jersey General Assembly Majority Leader, Lou
Greenwald, D-6 is also interested in running for Governor.
Greenwald has been Budget Committee Chairman for several
years and if he makes the run, he would have to forfeit his safe
Assembly seat.
Because Christie is in such a strong position at this time, an
upper tier Democratic challenger appears more and more unlikely.
Very few elected officials are willing to do what Assemblyman
Vince Polistina did in 2011. Polistina had a nearly 100% safe
Assembly seat and he made the difficult decision to challenge State
Senator Jim Whelan, D-2.
Polistina made a highly respectable challenge, but fell short
and in the process forfeited his seat in the New Jersey Legislature.
Polistina believed that in order to best represent District 2, he
needed to be in the upper chamber, where he could wield the most
influence for the citizens of Atlantic County. Polistina is a rare
breed of public servant, who put the people’s interests ahead of his
own political interests.
If Assemblyman John Amodeo, R-2 is offered and accepts a
senior executive position with the South Jersey Transportation
Authority, Polistina will return to the legislature in 2013.
Whelan remains the one to beat for State Senator in District
2. So much so, that no upper tier Republican will make the run
against him; Unless Freeholder Board Chairman Frank Formica
decides to take on this challenge.
Formica won a very impressive re-election this past November
6, 2012 for his 2nd District Freeholder seat. It would be a “free” run
for Formica, who would still have two years left on his Freeholder
term following the November 5, 2013 General Election.
With Christie at the top of the ticket, it will be a good year for
Republican candidates in Atlantic County and around the state. I
expect Christie to actually have substantial electoral coattails.
Either Amodeo and Chris Brown, R-2 or Brown and Polistina
will have a decided edge going into the upcoming election;
however, do not lose sight of how much of an impact Atlantic City
and Pleasantville can make in district-wide races.
In fact, a relatively unknown candidate named Colin Bell
defeated incumbent Freeholder Frank Giordano, because it was
a Presidential election cycle, with Barack Obama on the ballot
for the last time and a very strong Pleasantville and Atlantic City
voter turnout.
Hence, in political circles Bell is known as “Column B” (not
Colin Bell), because it is believed that a potted plant would have
won the Freeholder-at-Large seat simply by being in Column B.
With Governor Christie on the ballot and the other interesting
political story lines, it’s going to be a very exciting 2013.
Harry Hurley is Political Editor of The Boardwalk Journal. Hurley is the president of Harry Hurley Consulting
and Communications, LLC. He hosts the daily talk radio program “Hurley in the Morning” 6-10 a.m. weekdays
on Townsquare Media, WPG Talk Radio 1450, where he also serves as the senior programming consultant. He has
hosted various programs for local television and is the editor and publisher of his news and information website,
www.harryhurley.com. Send comments to HarryHurley@aol.com.
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14 | The Boardwalk Journal | December 2012