The 109th edition of the State League of Municipalities conference began Tuesday in Atlantic City, expecting to draw over 16,000 city and town officials — and most, if not all, of the 10 major candidates for governor.
“Through the course of the week I imagine that most of [the candidates] are going to be here,” said Mike Cerra, the League’s executive director. “Some of the candidates are new, and I guess they will have to introduce themselves to a statewide audience.
“This is probably part of the beginning of an ongoing, larger process,” he said. “I imagine they’re trying to lay the groundwork for the next six months and for two candidates, for the next year.”
With so many candidates, conference attendees are bound to run into someone running for governor. On the Democratic side are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, NJEA president Sean Spiller, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, and U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th) and Mikie Sherrill (D-11th). The four Republicans are state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union), former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former state Sen. Edward Durr, and radio host Bill Spadea.
Bramnick, as a state senator, is among those who have come every year and have worked the conference like a, well, politician — party hopping, hosting and panel participating. He’ll do much the same this year as a candidate.
“There’s a lot of different events,” he said. “So tonight I have a party at the Borgata, then I have a couple of meetings, then there’s a mayor who has an event at the Hard Rock, and this afternoon I’m actually doing a panel on laughter and leadership.”
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop was at a press conference and an afternoon event with leaders of the LGBTQ community on Tuesday, and he said he’s taking a more hit-and-run approach.
“It is a good opportunity to network with some of the key decision-makers on certain policy, so I try to get down here early, do a couple of events like the press conference we’re doing today, and then turn around and head home.”
Veteran political columnist Charles Stile said for some candidates, missing this opportunity is at their peril.
“For a candidate who comes from a regional base, who doesn’t have contacts in central or south Jersey or vice versa, I think you miss that opportunity for some face time and to show these people a side of yourself that you normally see in some sort of political coverage or on blogs,” Stile said.
“And it’s a chance to make more than just an elevator pitch to some people with checkbooks,” he added.
