Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:   QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Originally they painted this bill as cracking down on data brokers, but now those limits are gone. [It] exposes that this was really about gutting OPRA all along.” – Attorney CJ Griffin on amended OPRA legislation   TOP STORY: Linden Mayor Armstead Making a Move in CD-10     The Murphy Administration announced free 24/7 digital mental health services for state college students.   Governor Murphy criticized Rutgers and lamented missed opportunities with protests, according to ROI-NJ.   Data ..read more

The allies of Linden Mayor Derek Armstead are collecting signatures, intent on getting their man on the ballot for the July 16th special election in CD-10. A ten-year mayoral veteran who’s prepared to make a case for strong leadership in the area of taxes and quality of life for his constituents, Armstead wants to supply a voice to the entire district, including his home county of Union. A scrappy executive who’s battle-tested and used to fighting, Democrat Armstead is said to be figuring out a winning strategy as he seeks to meet Friday’s petition deadline at the Secretary of State’s Office ..read more

The ACLU of New Jersey today sent a letter to the Camden County Board of Commissioners reminding them of their responsibility to uphold students’ rights to free speech and free expression. The letter also calls on the Board to disavow an earlier effort by two of its commissioners – via a letter sent to the Superintendent of the Eastern Camden County Regional School District on April 22 – to incorrectly characterize any pro-Palestinian speech as antisemitic and dangerously disregard students’ free speech rights under the federal and state constitutions. “Students should be commended for engagin ..read more

On Saturday, as Trump hosts a MAGA rally in Wildwood, Rep. Mikie Sherrill will lead a “Stand Up to Trump: New Jersey Day of Action.” Sherrill will rally New Jersey Democrats in support of President Joe Biden and candidates across the state, with several stops and actions to bolster Democratic support. “Donald Trump stands for everything antithetical to New Jersey values – fear, division, and chaos. Just last week, he doubled down on his plan to restrict our reproductive rights by allowing states to monitor pregnant women and punish those who seek abortion care. That’s why I’m bringing New Jers ..read more

The full statement by Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss: I wholeheartedly endorse LaMonica Mclver for Congress in our district. Having had the privilege of working closely with LaMonica for several years, I can confidently say that she is a remarkable individual who possesses the qualities and dedication necessary to be an outstanding representative for our community. It is not just LaMonica’s qualifications and advocacy for women’s rights that make her an exceptional candidate. She possesses the qualities of dedication, communication, and leadership that are essential for effective representation. H ..read more

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:   QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I know that County Executive Craig Guy is the ideal choice to lead the county party forward now during a time of change and transition when the HCDO will need to adopt new approaches to directly engage with voters on the issues that matter most to them.” – Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop   TOP STORY: Essex United for McIver     A Monmouth University poll finds younger voters express less climate change urgency.   NJ ranks high among the states that smoke the most weed ..read more

North Bergen Commissioner Anthony Vainieri is announcing that he is supporting Hudson County Executive Craig Guy to succeed him as the next Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. Chairman Vainieri is issuing the following statement: “It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as the HCDO Chairman for the past two years. Working together with all the county committee members, municipal chairs and all the mayors, we built a stronger party that elected a new county executive, two new State Senators and five new Assembly members. I would like to thank all 12 mayors for their ..read more

Council President LaMonica McIver Official Statement Regarding Democratic Support For CD 10 Congressional Seat    Newark, New Jersey— May 6, 2024 —    “I am deeply honored and humbled to have received the Democratic endorsement for the 10th congressional seat. This moment is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the trust and confidence that the community has placed in me to carry on the legacy of dedicated public service set by the late Honorable Donald J. Payne, Jr. and his father. With this nomination comes a tremendous responsibility—one that I do not take light ..read more

Most Americans continue to acknowledge the existence of climate change, according to the latest Monmouth University Poll, but the number who see this as a very serious problem has fallen below half. Support for government action to reduce activities that impact the climate has dipped below 6 in 10 for the first time since Monmouth began polling this topic nearly a decade ago. The poll finds that the drop in the importance and urgency of climate change has been most pronounced among younger adults. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (73%) believe the world’s climate is undergoing a change leading to more ..read more

The CD-10 seat will go to Lamonica McIver, on the strength of a united front by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, the two main players in the district. Others may contend for the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr, (D-10) but McIver, the Newark City Council President, stands poised as a clear favorite following a weekend of key-player meetings. Essex Mayors will back McIver. Ministers, too. The support of Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss is key here, as it was Team Irvington Strong that bucked Baraka for a vacant LD-28 senate ..read more