Props to the lovely John Heinis of Hudson County View for breaking this story on August 17, "Solomon joins DeFusco in calling for Hoboken to bring back runoff elections."
Because embedded in his article about Mike DeFusco's Pier 13 fund-raiser was this gem:
"The campaign to bring back runoff elections in Hoboken looks like it will be an aggressive one, given that a new political non-profit, New Jersey Democracy in Action was distributing flyers at the event."
That got GA's attention.
Why is a "new political non-profit" lobbying for run-off elections at a DeFusco fundraiser (attended by Carmelo Garcia and newly-minted Dark Sider Tiffanie Fisher)? First, what kind of "new political non-profit" are they? Well... GA scoured NJ non-profit and IRS databases, and did not find any "political non-profit" registered under the name, New Jersey Democracy in Action. Are they too new? Maybe the registration hasn't been posted yet?
Why is a "new political non-profit" lobbying for run-off elections at a DeFusco fundraiser (attended by Carmelo Garcia and newly-minted Dark Sider Tiffanie Fisher)? First, what kind of "new political non-profit" are they? Well... GA scoured NJ non-profit and IRS databases, and did not find any "political non-profit" registered under the name, New Jersey Democracy in Action. Are they too new? Maybe the registration hasn't been posted yet?
One thing is for sure: this non-profit is required to register with the IRS, and the State of New Jersey. Not sure about the FEC- yet.
Another thing is for sure: this non-profit has already spent money on lobbying in support of runoff elections in Hoboken. They produced flyers and had personnel hand them out at DeFusco's Pier 13 fundraiser.
The people behind this "new political non profit" special interest lobby need to come clean.
Hoboken residents who support clean elections want to know the answers to the following:
- Who registered "new political non-profit" New Jersey Democracy in Action? A person(s)? An entity?
- What is their registered/mailing address?
- Who is administrating this "new political non-profit" New Jersey Democracy in Action?
- What is their contact information?
- What kind of organization is New Jersey Democracy in Action? (527? IE? Super-PAC?)
- What forms will they be filing?
- Will they report donors?
- Will they report expenditures?
- Are they purely an issues lobby or will they support candidates?
- Will they have an online presence- website, Facebook, social media?
The 2012 grassroots reform effort to over-turn runoff elections was as transparent as could be, with a petition drive that included sitting Council members Jen Giattino and Peter Cunningham. They were for it before they were against it.
Or maybe, they were for it, before they were against Mayor Bhalla. That seems to be driving political discourse these days.
Or maybe, they were for it, before they were against Mayor Bhalla. That seems to be driving political discourse these days.
In any case, folks who are considering the flipping against election reform in Hoboken, ask yourself: do you really want to be on the same side as this shadowy special interest group?
One thing a 527 will bring to Hoboken's election: unlimited contributions, unlimited spending.
Ask yourself, why is an outside special interest group dumping money into a Hoboken election?
Because (1) run-offs are the easiest path to electing 'their people' in low turnout December elections-- exactly why Reform got rid of them in 2012, and (2) they can circumvent Pay-to-Play law by coordinating with candidates and provide parallel messaging (ads, mailers, cable tv).
GA is going to say to folks who support clean elections: pay attention.
In the meantime, anyone with information about this shadowy special interest non-profit, New Jersey Democracy in Action, please contact me at: grafixavenger666@gmail.com
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ReplyDeleteLike most good government groups with nothing to hide, you can’t find them through google or Facebook. I’m sure our vigilant, always suspicious (when it involves Bhalla) citizen watchdogs will be all over it...........
ReplyDeleteAnything shadowy can only be The Shadow. As far as said "citizen watchdogs" are concerned, that is.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if DeFusco is starting to understand he is carrying the water for Ramos and Russo on this- not the other way around? Somehow I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteA December runoff is bad public policy which is why it was voted down in 2012 by a focused and educated electorate. For DeFusco public polucy doesnt matter, it's only the politics that matters. And the Hoboken politico this will hurt the most politicaly is not Ravi - it's DeFusco. He is far more vulnerable in his ward race in a december runoff, and in a hypothetical 2021 mayoral race Ramos or Russo (more likely Ramos) will make the runoff. DeFusco - the man without a base, will barely be a footnote.
He's pounding nails into his own political coffin, while Ramos laughs and make plans to step over his political body.
No one understands this better than the ex-councilman who often advises him and who probably suggested to DeFusco doing this in the first place.
You would think DeFusco would learn that it is not wise to take political advice from a person who has literally ticked off 99% of the people who pay attention in this town which is why he cannot run for squat. But that would probably be giving DeFusco too much credit. Puppets aren't selected for their intelligence, just for their ability to do as directed.
DeleteSame as it ever was. There were a number of articles after Cammarano's arrest referencing his heightened arrogance in the final months of the campaign and clear belief that he was the big enchalada and not a vehicle for Belfiore and Fitzgibbons. Occhipinti was the same way. No humility. Absolute conviction that he won a council seat simply by being a great candidate.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if this 527 isn't a workaround to route Union and PAC money, to keep it off 2019's Team DeFusco ELECs. The public needs to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably correct, GA. The ELEC violations with the list of all the developers who tried to buy an election and prop up DeFusco has probably left them feeling very exposed. Whether they place their bets on DeFusco or Ramos, their first strategic move is to return to the dark ages of runoff elections. Parallel to that, buying votes will no doubt continue.
DeleteIt feels like a shifting of the sands is afoot and before we know it, Yappy and Indie will both be back to sucking up to the Russos.
ReplyDeleteLOL soon Soares will be back to running on tickets chaired and sponsored by Beth Mason.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note - Melania will become a sharecropper before my Stableboy utters a word of concern about the Big Dollars pouring in from unnamed donors to bring back run-offs.
ReplyDeleteWhy, look! There's my little sharecropper now! Or possibly that's a publicity still from "Green Acres - The Lost Episodes."