By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist
A recent survey yielded that most Americans actually believe that the election for President of the United States is this November, 2019. It’s not until 2020.
That’s because we have such a blatantly dishonest media, which was determined to stop a Donald Trump Presidency and now they want to short-circuit it altogether by starting the campaign ridiculously early.
Despite the fact that the race for President in 2020 is already under way, way too early, the races for 2019 will catch political/electoral fire very soon.
And, there are some very important contests that are actually taking place this year.
In New Jersey’s District 1, there is a key state senate race between the appointed incumbent Senator Bob Andrzejczak and Cumberland County Republican Party Chairman Michael Testa, Jr., Esquire.
Both are fine men. Both are supreme gentlemen. That being said, both are highly competitive individuals who want the seat.
To date, Testa leads the fundraising “beauty contest.” Testa is a credible, legitimate challenger, who gives the Republicans their best chance to win this seat since former Senator Nick Asselta.
This is a race between two candidates from electoral central casting.
Andrzejczak is a bona fide American hero, who nearly died 7 times on the battlefield of war serving our country. He’s a good, decent and compassionate man with a soft heart, who is also tough as nails at the same time.
Regarding Testa, they don’t come any tougher, along with his own delicate polish and style. No doubt, Testa is the more aggressive candidate. He wants to debate any and everywhere.
Andrzejczak is not looking to debate Testa. It’s not his strong suit. He’s an accomplished and talented legislator. He’s simply not a great orator.
Testa is an accomplished orator. He’s a talented attorney. He speaks for a living. And, he speaks very well.
Both have a command of the important core state issues. Andrzejczak is a member of the Democratic Party, however, he has amassed a near Republican-like voting record. As a long-time member of what’s known as The Van Drew Team, Andrzejczak has consistently voted more conservatively versus the radical Democrat agenda in New Jersey; which has introduced new levels of Democrat-Socialism in the Governor Phil Murphy era.
Testa would record a decisive mandate victory over any liberal Democratic candidate in this right-of-center District 1. However, “The Van Drew Team” has carefully and successfully achieved a voting balance and overall philosophy of governance that has made it impossible to date for any Republican to win during the now United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew era.
It’s nearly supernatural from an electoral standpoint. Under any “normal” circumstances, New Jersey’s District 1 is and would be, a strong Republican District. You have to give Van Drew credit for his achievements. Not only does Van Drew always win, but, each and every candidate he has selected for the Assembly and once now (Andrezjczak fo the Senate) has won each and every time.
This will be the greatest test, yet. Van Drew is now in Washington – in fairness – without cheating the District in any way. This upcoming first Tuesday, November, 2019 will tell the tale; Can the Van Drew magic continue with him now holding federal elective office?
Will District 1 voters view things differently? Will Van Drew’s “long coattails” be able to continue in a changed environment?
There is also a highly competitive race in District 2 for two open seats for the New Jersey General Assembly.
Incumbent Democrats Vince Mazzeo and John Armato will face Atlantic County Freeholder John Risley and former Brigantine Mayor Phil Guenther.
Mazzeo and Armato have a terrible and indefensible voting record. They’ve voted for massive tax and fee increases. They’ve supported making New Jersey a Sanctuary state. They voted to take funding from our Veterans and provide it to illegals. They failed in having the funds restored in the current budget cycle. They even voted to tax rain. Mazzeo also supported legalizing casino gaming in North Jersey. This alone should have resulted in Mazzeo being served with his termination papers two years ago.
Only in our present times of living in electoral “Bizarro World” would they even stand any chance of being re-elected. This election will thoroughly test whether or not my theory of suspension of belief really does exist.
By strict definition, suspension of belief means that their is a “willingness to suspend ones critical faculties and believe something surreal; sacrifice of realism and logic for the sake of enjoyment.”
In other words, sometimes people knowingly vote against their own self interests. This best describes Mazzeo’s success as an elected official. During his career, he has consistently voted against the best interests of the resident taxpayers. Yet, he has somehow enjoyed electoral success.
I know that this exists. I just haven’t figured out why? America voted for Barack Obama twice. His policies led to no economic growth; no jobs; a weakened military; divided Americans by race, age, orientation, wealth status; destroyed health care; loss of prestige around the world just to name a few major failures. Yet, voters elected and then re-elected him.
Obama’s record was so bad that he adopted a big lie that this was our “new normal,” the best we could do. He proclaimed that manufacturing had left America for good. That 3 percent GDP could no longer be achieved. He challenged President Trump’s assertions to the contrary and said, “what does Trump have a magic wand?”
Of course, President Trump has proven that Obama lied to all of us. Under President Trump, we have achieved the lowest unemployment in American history, along with record financial markets, and, a return of manufacturing and 3-4% GDP every quarter.
Having detailed all of these undisputed facts; incredulously, you still can’t count Mazzeo out. First, I refer you back to the cognitive dissonance, suspension of belief construct. Never sell this bizarre concept short. It’s real.
Second, millions of dollars will effortlessly flow-in for Mazzeo to use in an attempt to deceive the voters one more time.
District 2 Republicans are very fortunate that Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson is on the ballot this year. He is the most prolific vote recipient in Atlantic County history.
The ticket will need him this year. Levinson is facing a minimal challenge from local attorney Susan Korngut, a Northfield City Councilwoman.
Korngut arrived on the scene by making one of the most bizarre nominating acceptance speeches in Atlantic County history. While standing before those assembled at the Atlantic County Democratic Convention, Korngut told about her childhood and the African-American maid who cared for her. I’ll spare you the details, but, several inattendance have conveyed to me that they found this to be surprising in nature.
Korngut has also cast several unpopular recent votes on Northfield City Council, including voting against the hiring of an additional police officer; despite the fact that there was a bi-partisan consensus that the position was needed to protect the public.
Despite the media’s rush to influence who will be the next President of the United States, there will be a number of key races at the county and state levels that are significant in your daily lives.
Keep your focus.
Harry 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 104.1 FM & 1450 AM, where he also serves as the senior programming consultant. Harry was elected to both the Philadelphia (2013) and New Jersey (2015) Radio Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Harry Hurley has also been selected (2015-2018) as one of the Top 100 Most Important Talk Radio Hosts in America by Talkers Magazine. Hurley is the inaugural recipient of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association “Broadcaster of the Year” (2019). Hurley is also performing national fill-in, on-air talent work for FOX News Radio on their nationally syndicated platforms. 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
