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Happy Veterans Day
Saturday Nov. 11th
We thank all the brave men and women who have served
our country.
Happy Veterans Day to America's Heroes.
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New Jersey State
League of Municipalities Conference
The 102nd Annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference will be taking
place November 14th-16th
i
n Atlantic City.
To learn more about the program, please click
here
.
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Election Day 2017 was an important moment in New Jersey politics, as voters cast their ballots for a new Governor, as well as representatives in the General Assembly and State Senate. After months of campaigning, the winners are...
Gubernatorial Election Results
The biggest news from this election was the early announcement that Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy had won the race for Governor, defeating Kim Guadagno (R). In a low turnout election with only about 36% of eligible voters participating, Murphy secured the Governorship by winning 56% of the vote. Governor-elect Murphy, who will serve as New Jersey's 56th Governor, spoke about his plans for New Jersey and the message his victory sends to the people of the state, "This governor will have your back. Tonight, we declare the days of division over. We will move forward together, we will rebuild our state from the bottom up, and the middle out. It won't be easy. And it certainly won't be overnight, but let there be no doubt: Starting here, starting now, and starting with us, New Jersey is coming back."
Legislative Election Results
The announcement of Phil Murphy's win early in the night proved to be ominous for Republican candidates throughout the state, as Democratic support from voters either pushed candidates over the line for victory or narrowed races where Republicans typically enjoy wide margins of success.
In the Legislature, this helped Democrats expand their majorities in both chambers. On the Assembly side, Democrats were able to pick up two seats, and now have a 54-26 majority. In the Senate, the Democrats will add to their majority, as Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-7) won the seat vacated by retiring Senator Diane Allen (R-7), while Vin Gopal (D-11) defeated Republican-incumbent Senator Jennifer Beck (R-11) in the biggest upset of the night. Democrats will control 25 of the 40 Senate seats next session.
Although the Gubernatorial race was quickly decided, legislative races in the state remained competitive and provided much political intrigue:
The 2nd District Senate race between Assemblyman Chris Brown (R-2) and Senator Colin Bell (D-2), who recently filled the seat of the late-Sen. Jim Whelan (D-2), was one of the most closely-watched races this election cycle. Asm. Brown received 54% of the vote and his pickup helped offset the loss of the 7th District's Senate seat to Asm. Troy Singleton (D-7). In the Assembly race, incumbent Democratic Asm. Vincent Mazzeo (D-2) was reelected, while newcomer John Armato (D) added to his Party's majority in the General Assembly by winning the seat vacated by Senator-elect Chris Brown (R-2).
In the 11th District, Democrats picked up a seat in the Senate, as Vin Gopal (D) defeated incumbent State Senator Jennifer Beck (R-11) in one of the most expensive and competitive races in the state. Gopal won the seat by receiving 53% of the vote. This surprising result highlights the 11th district's growing status as a swing district, as Gopal will join Democratic Assembly members Eric Houghtaling (D-11) and Joann Downey (D-11) in representing the district next session.
Surprisingly, the Senate race in the 16th District was extremely close. Incumbent Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Laurie Poppe by a 51-49 margin. However, Republicans lost the Assembly seat vacated by former Republican Gubernatorial nominee Asm. Jack Ciattarelli (R-16), as Democrat Roy Freiman defeated Donna Simon (R). He will join incumbent Asm. Andrew Zwicker (D-16), who was reelected to his second term.
Ballot Initiatives
New Jersey voters were asked to cast their vote on two ballot initiatives. The first, which authorizes the state to issue $125 million in bonds to provide grants to public libraries for building, equipping, and expanding facilities to increase capacity and serve the public, was approved by 60% of voters. According to the measure, the State Librarian, in consultation with the President of Thomas Edison State University, will set the eligibility criteria for the grants.
The second initiative on the ballot, which amends the State Constitution to prevent future governors and the legislature from repurposing money earmarked for restoring land and waterways tainted by pollution, was passed with 69% of voters supporting the measure. This initiative was in response to years of elected officials syphoning remediation funds collected by the state from polluting companies and using that money to plug holes in the state budget. The new Amendment will create a "lockbox" for state revenue from legal settlements and awards related to natural resource damages in cases of environmental contamination. Revenue in the "lockbox" would be used to restore or replace damaged or lost natural resources, protect natural resources, and pay the legal costs of pursuing settlements and rewards.
Newly Elected Legislators
With numerous legislators not seeking reelection or vacating their seats to run for higher office, the Legislature will have plenty of new faces. The following were elected to the General Assembly for the first time:
- John Armato (D-2)
- Carol Murphy (D-7)
- Ryan Peters (R-8)
- Serena DiMaso (R-13)
- Roy Freiman (D-16)
- Yvonne Lopez (D-19)
- Harold Wirths (R-24)
- Shanique Speight (D-29)
- Christopher DePhillips (R-40)
The following were elected to represent their districts in the State Senate for the first time:
- Vin Gopal (D-11)
- Joe Cryan (D-20) former Assembly Majority Leader from the 20th Legislative District (2010-2012)
- Chris Brown (R-2) former Assemblyman from the 2nd Legislative District (2012-present)
- Troy Singleton (D-7) former Assemblyman from the 7th Legislative District (2011-present)
- Declan O'Scanlon (R-13) former Assemblyman from the 13th Legislative District (2008-present)
Governor-elect Phil Murphy and rest of the winners from the 2017 Election will assume office in January.
For a rundown of all election results, please click here.
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KZG's Trish Zita & Jeannine LaRue Supporting Women in Government
KZG's Trish Zita and Jeannine LaRue, members on the New Jersey Bipartisan Coalition for Women's Appointments' (
BCWA
) Advisory Committee, are working to nominate women interested in being considered for appointments to the Phil Murphy Administration in 2018. The BCWA, in conjunction with Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), is a statewide, bipartisan group of prominent women and organizations convened in years when there is an open seat for governor. The purpose of the BCWA, which has played an instrumental role during transition years since 1981, is to ensure the placement of women in key positions throughout state government.
The BCWA has four key goals: 1) creating the expectation within both major parties that women will play significant roles in government, 2) helping the next governor identify a strong and diverse pool of women candidates for positions within the new administration, 3) educating New Jersey women about the thousands of state, county and municipal appointed positions available, and 4) encouraging New Jersey women to submit their résumés for gubernatorial appointments and providing them the tools and information they need to seek appointments.
Trish spoke about the opportunity to serve on the Advisory Committee, "It is vital for women to serve in state government, as it allows a diversity of experiences to be represented. The BCWA plays an integral role in stressing the importance of inclusion during the transition process, and I am honored to help lend my support." Jeannine added, "Trish and I are so grateful to serve on this committee and help qualified women gain opportunities in the new administration. We look forward to being advocates for equality and inclusion."
The BCWA is accepting résumés for a "talent bank" of interested women seeking to be considered for roles in the new gubernatorial administration in 2018. To submit your résumé, fill out the online biographical form for by clicking
here
. All résumés will be forwarded to Governor-elect Phil Murphy's transition team and appointments office.
To learn more about serving in appointed office or the Bipartisan Coalition's role, please visit the BCWA website by clicking
here
. Furthermore, if you would like to better understand the appointments process and gain practical tools and tips for serving in appointed office, be sure to register for BCWA/ Center for American Women and Politics' "Shape New Jersey's Future and Yours: Appointments to State Boards and Commissions" program at Rutgers University on Saturday, December 9th by clicking
here
.
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Sanofi US's Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Community
Last month, Sanofi US celebrated its commitment to diversity, inclusion and community at its third annual "Sanofi in Our Communities, Celebrating Diversity" event. The event, which was held at the company's US headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ, highlighted Sanofi's support for local corporate-social responsibility and commended the positive impact generated by select New Jersey-based non-profit organizations.
At the event, Sanofi announced that over $700,000 has been awarded in 2017 to 36 New Jersey-based non-profit organizations focused on enhancing the quality of life in the Garden Sate and whose programs align with the company's diversity and inclusion efforts. Peter Lalli, Head of Sanofi North America Corporate Social Responsibility, said, "Community support is one of Sanofi's three primary pillars, and this program underscores that focus by investing in and strengthening where we work and live. And, given the connectivity with diversity and inclusion, there is ultimately a focus on how collectively we are enhancing quality of life for all, both within our Sanofi walls, and also within the communities of New Jersey."
Sanofi is a global life sciences company committed to improving access to healthcare and supporting people throughout the continuum of care. From prevention to treatment, Sanofi transforms scientific innovation into healthcare solutions, and is dedicated to making a difference in patients' daily lives by enabling them to enjoy a healthier life. Sanofi strives to reduce healthcare inequalities in the US through strategic charitable donations and by establishing partnerships with non-government organizations.
To learn more about Sanofi's corporate-social responsibility, please visit their website by clicking here.
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