The Hurley Line: Van Drew,Andrzejczak, Milam, Mazzeo, Armato, Levinson, Formica, Holtzman, Risley, Toto, Testa, Fiocchi and a Splash of Norcross!
By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist
I inadvertently left Ventnor Mayor Beth Maccagnano Holtzman out of our last column. It was a sin of the mind and not of the heart.
I was well aware of her candidacy and had previously spoken about her numerous times on-air over the past month.
Maccagnano Holtzman is the Mayor of Ventnor and a declared candidate for the New Jersey General Assembly (District 2) in the 2019 election.
At first glance, her candidacy and political resume would appear to be thin. Just a few years as the Mayor of a small city in Atlantic County. However, I have spoken with a number of respected senior level Atlantic County Republicans. Each one has a favorable opinion about Maccagnano Holtzman.
This is for two distinct reasons. First, they like her overall toughness and believe that she could be a tenacious District 2 candidate. Second, they like the idea of a female on the Republican state legislative ticket. I don’t care in the least for identity or gender politics, but, it does check these unspoken boxes.
Behind the scenes, the political jockeying has been fascinating to observe. Not much of it has yet to reach the surface, however, those who are running are already maneuvering feverishly.
This is already so different then the early stages of Decision 2017. IN the last cycle, Republicans were having extreme difficulty finding candidates willing to even put their names on the ballot.
It’s understandable. Atlantic County campaigns have become blood baths over the past 15 years. Also, Republican candidates know a few sobering facts all too well. They know that millions of dollars will flow into the legislative races (to benefit the Democratic candidates) from the Camden County Potentate, George Norcross, III.
Like him or not, Norcross is a legendary Chairman and a formidable nightmare for prospective Republican candidates. Millions of dollars can re-write anyone’s life in eight weeks or less. No matter who you are.
This time around, Republicans appear eager to have a crack at the two open Assembly seats. Already, there’s Atlantic County Freeholder Board Chairman Frank Formica. He’s very serious about this run.
I carved Formica up pretty bad in our last column. I now have more information as to why he is running.
Formica well knows that the Craig Callaway “Vote by Mail” machine almost took him down in the recent past November 6, 2018 General Election. Formica genuinely wants to win a seat in the state legislature and try to do something about it.
Formica has confirmed that a back-channel “secret” funding scheme was at the root of his near electoral demise. Multiple sources have advised me that the matter has been turned over to several high-ranking legal controlling authorities to be investigated.
Atlantic County Freeholder John Risley has never been more serious about running for the nomination. Somers Point City Councilman James Toto has basically been running for it since his Primary Election campaign for the United States House of Representatives.
Former Brigantine Mayor Phil Guenther is still considering a possible run. Current Brigantine Councilman Vince Sera is also looking at the race. If Sera decides to run, it would be his third consecutive year as a candidate. That’s tough.
Atlantic County Democratic incumbent Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato are both running for re-election. They will not have to face any intra-party hijinks, which is always a competitive advantage.
In the District 1 State Senate race, Cumberland County Republican Chairman Michael Testa is on a roll. Former New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno came out on Day 1 to enthusiastically endorse Testa; with both her kind words and checkbook.
This past November 29, 2018, New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. endorsed Testa stating that, “South Jersey needs more leaders like Michael Testa. He is a small businessman and community servant with the passion and the credentials to effectively stand up for Cape May and Cumberland Counties,” said Kean.
Kean also said that “Republicans are gaining ground in South Jersey. From Chris Brown’s Senate victory in 2017 to Salem County taking back control of their Freeholder Board this year. There has been an organized effort to elect leaders who will grow South Jersey’s economy. Michael Testa is a top tier recruit to help take the next step in that fight,” said Kean.
The Democratic Party succession plan in District 1 remains exactly as I shared in the last edition of Shore Local News Magazine. The Democrats will have the opportunity to run a new incumbent Senator and a new incumbent Assemblyman.
Yet, both appointed occupants will not be new at all. Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak will be appointed State Senator when United States Congressman-elect Jeff Van Drew takes his new position. And, former Assemblyman Matt Milam will get back his old position.
Former State Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi is still seriously contemplating a run for the State Senate. Many Republicans want the formidable Fiocchi to run with Testa as one of the two Assembly nominees.
This is the smartest thing the Republicans could do. They are in a tough fight to begin with, because even when Van Drew is not on the ballot, they still run effectively as “The Van Drew Team.”
It has worked every time in the Van Drew era. And, don’t expect Van Drew to forget about his team just because Van Drew is going to Washington. The Democrats will also be well funded.
Back to Atlantic County. Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson is well aware of what just happened to Formica. Levinson is a prodigious fundraiser and a relentless and effective campaigner.
Levinson is the master at properly framing key issues to define the campaign and his opponent. No one over the past 30 years … except for the former legendary State Senator Bill Gormley has been able to properly gauge the political pulse and psychology of the Atlantic County voter the way that Levinson has achieved.
What the Atlantic County Democrats have done for several election cycles is to either offer a token challenge or no challenger at all. They have calculated that it’s better not to “wake the sleeping bear.”
It still remains to be seen if the Atlantic County Democrats will recruit a serious challenger, or, do they hope to keep the turnout down by giving Levinson a pass … or, the next best thing … a soft challenge.
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 (2014) 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 also doing 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
3 Responses
You made the political seen much clearer for me. Sometimes it’s difficult to follow the pyramid of politics. Thanks Harry.
When I was the republican club president we would go over our structure from top to bottom. I saw that most people really don’t understand it all.
I think Beth Maccagnano Holtzman will surprise many with her enormous personality, proven leadership, and ability to bring folks together. She is a natural and as the Republicans vie for the nomination for assembly, this fresh face has a great chance to win the day. I love what she has done for Ventnor and I’m anxious to see what she can do representing District two. By the way, I think she would have a great crossover vote in the general election, apoealing to voters of all persuasions with her passion for service and help for others.
Beth would have been a great candidate and an even greater Assemblywoman. Her departure from the race is a loss for the party, District Two, and New Jersey in general. Sorry to see this news. So many of us are so grateful that she serves us as Ventnor Mayor, but I’m sure that there are many other opportunities for others to benefit for others as well in her future.