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Friday, January 4, 2019

Looking ahead to 2019: Plainfield, New Jersey and the nation


What does the Magic 8 Ball see for 2019?




What will 2019 hold in store for Plainfield, New Jersey and the nation politically?

THE NATION

With the Democrats now holding a majority in the House of Representatives, 2019 may well be President Donald Trump's annus horribilis -- meaning that he will no likely be the subject of several (at the least) revealing and embarrassing investigations. And this quite independently of the Mueller investigation, which appears to close observers to be wrapping up.


Then there will be the difficult task of attempting to govern with a Congress split between the two parties' control and an unpredictable President who seems intent on ridding himself of all the "adults in the room."


NEW JERSEY

The unresolved conflict between Gov. Murphy and Senate President Sweeney looks like it will go on unabated.


Among the issues over which the wrestling will continue throughout 2019 are: the Alvarez rape allegation scandal, Sen. Nick Scutari's redistricting proposal, the selection of a new NJ State Dem chair, marijuana legalization, the $15 minimum wage, and more.


Max Pizarro of InsiderNJ predicts that most folks will ignore the Trenton goings-on. I'm not so sure. Some of these issues have real economic consequences for ordinary people's ... and then there is New Jersey's obsession with politics as a blood sport.



PLAINFIELD


With no national races on the ticket, the rump faction of Democrats who ran Ron Johnson for the citywide at-large seat in 2018 may try once again for the electoral brass ring.


The two Council seats up in 2019 are Ward 2 and Wards 1/4 at-large.


Councilor Cory Storch (2) would be running for his fifth term and Councilor Barry Goode (1/4) for his second. You can read the results of their prior election here.


The Plainfield Democratic City Committee is also up for election for two-year terms in 2019.


It has been rumored for months that Chairman Mapp is dumping all those who voted for Colleen Mahr against Sen. Nick Scutari in the race to replace the late Assemblyman Jerry Green for chair of the Union County Democratic Committee.

Those people, plus some who have moved, died or are declining another run brings the total to be replaced to approximately 40 -- an astonishing turnover since Mapp won control of the committee in 2015 with 46 seats (see the tallies here).



Whether you are active politically or consider yourself a "watcher" -- 2019 will certainly prove an interesting year.



 -- Dan Damon [ follow ]


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