So going down Internet rabbit holes like I normally do when surfing the interwebss - I discovered something interesting on Google Maps when researching where the Sayreville Councilwoman (who was shot) lived.
New Jersey has named a rest stop after Jon Bon Jovi.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jon+Bon+Jovi+Service+Area/@40.466341,-74.2914777,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c3cbc74cdcd675:0x1a2ebd367b820add!8m2!3d40.466341!4d-74.289289
And because I had see what it looked like, it led me to this page:
https://943thepoint.com/bon-jovis-new-jersey-rest-stop-is-fantastic/
image://townsquare.media/site/393/files/2021/11/attachment-IMG_9346-1.jpg?w=980&q=75
Well done New Jersey. Seriously, this is no second rate rest area. A hologram of Jon Bon Jovi with Bon Jovi music playing and inspirational quotes from other celebrities.
Maybe I'm too easily impressed. I need to go to Philadelphia for work this year. I plan to stop here as its only an hour away. LOL
For comparison the La Bajada Rest Area near my house in New Mexico. The restrooms aren't heated and you need exact change (who has old-timey round money nowadays) to buy a stale bag of Funyuns. No quite the same experience.
image://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/xHB2mDFSCQ5F3Axmi_aHuQ/o.jpg
So going down Internet rabbit holes like I normally do when surfing the interwebss - I discovered something interesting on Google Maps when researching where the Sayreville Councilwoman (who was shot) lived.
New Jersey has named a rest stop after Jon Bon Jovi. [Link]
And because I had see what it looked like, it led me to this page: [Link]
Well done New Jersey. Seriously, this is no second rate rest area. A hologram of Jon Bon Jovi with Bon Jovi music playing and inspirational quotes from other celebrities.
Maybe I'm too easily impressed. I need to go to Philadelphia for work this year. I plan to stop here as its only an hour away. LOL
For comparison the La Bajada Rest Area near my house in New Mexico. The restrooms aren't heated and you need exact change (who has old-timey round money nowadays) to buy a stale bag of Funyuns. No quite the same experience.
The Jon Bon Jovi Rest Stop will always be the Cheesequake to me. It was my favorite stop during the yearly trip to Cape May, an opportunity to relieve myself and stretch my legs.
The Jon Bon Jovi Rest Stop will always be the Cheesequake to me. It was my favorite stop during the yearly trip to Cape May, an opportunity to relieve myself and stretch my legs.
Update on current NJ primaries:
Well most of them are done before they even started. The County Line remains a useful tool the insiders in the NJGOP and Democratic parties use to keep their friends in power (for better or for worse). The last remaining *competitive* primary remains in the 24th Districts two open Assembly seats. Parker Space who is easily one of the most popular elected officials (in their areas ofc) in northern New Jersey brushed off Steve Lonegan after the districts retiring legislators, Steve Oroho, and Hal Wirths. The assumption is that Lonegan struggled to raise money and the image of him carpetbagging against a person whose family name pre dates the country was probably a bad look. There have been no murmurs of a challenger to take Lonegan's place and if the other faction is to find a challenger they will have to do it fast as the filing deadline is 11 days away.
As for Assembly, the lack of a county line in 65% of the district is benefiting, Josh Aikens, and Jason Sarnoski. Their opponents Dawn Fantasia, and Mike Inganamort, are the conventional front runners, but Aikens and Sarnoski have a number of upsides for their campaign. For starters, Aikens has been involved in GOP circles for decades and has elected over 500 registered republicans to school boards around the state. Sarnoski, on the other hand, has spent the last 8 years priming himself for an Assembly seat and he has the connections and finances to contend accordingly.
Update on current NJ primaries:
Well most of them are done before they even started. The County Line remains a useful tool the insiders in the NJGOP and Democratic parties use to keep their friends in power (for better or for worse). The last remaining *competitive* primary remains in the 24th Districts two open Assembly seats. Parker Space who is easily one of the most popular elected officials (in their areas ofc) in northern New Jersey brushed off Steve Lonegan after the districts retiring legislators, Steve Oroho, and Hal Wirths. The assumption is that Lonegan struggled to raise money and the image of him carpetbagging against a person whose family name pre dates the country was probably a bad look. There have been no murmurs of a challenger to take Lonegan's place and if the other faction is to find a challenger they will have to do it fast as the filing deadline is 11 days away.
As for Assembly, the lack of a county line in 65% of the district is benefiting, Josh Aikens, and Jason Sarnoski. Their opponents Dawn Fantasia, and Mike Inganamort, are the conventional front runners, but Aikens and Sarnoski have a number of upsides for their campaign. For starters, Aikens has been involved in GOP circles for decades and has elected over 500 registered republicans to school boards around the state. Sarnoski, on the other hand, has spent the last 8 years priming himself for an Assembly seat and he has the connections and finances to contend accordingly.
Shoutout to Mr Matt for adding the legislative candidates. I’m working on adding bios photos websites, etc. So far I’m on 19th Senate so a long ways to go.
New Jersey never fails to disappoint!
Shoutout to Mr Matt for adding the legislative candidates. I’m working on adding bios photos websites, etc. So far I’m on 19th Senate so a long ways to go.
So what do we think Sherrill and Gottheimer do in 24/25? Senate? Governor? Nothing?
With the amount of money he's raising, It feels like Fulop wants to make anyone else thinking of running - think twice about it. Having said that Sherrill seems like a more attractive candidate for Governor than Senate.
First, she's a woman and that's got to be a factor if she runs in a Democratic Primary. Secondly, she's got a pretty amazing resume - great for an executive office position. Too bad New Jersey doesn't elect their Attorney General. That might be a great statewide option for someone like her - exactly what Ellison did in Minnesota.
Gottheimer has raised crazy money too if I recall. Like ridiculous amounts of money. Just checked. FEC says he has over $15M cash on hand. That seems like someone gearing up for a Senate run .
WSNJ: So what do we think Sherrill and Gottheimer do in 24/25? Senate? Governor? Nothing?
With the amount of money he's raising, It feels like Fulop wants to make anyone else thinking of running - think twice about it. Having said that Sherrill seems like a more attractive candidate for Governor than Senate.
First, she's a woman and that's got to be a factor if she runs in a Democratic Primary. Secondly, she's got a pretty amazing resume - great for an executive office position. Too bad New Jersey doesn't elect their Attorney General. That might be a great statewide option for someone like her - exactly what Ellison did in Minnesota.
Gottheimer has raised crazy money too if I recall. Like ridiculous amounts of money. Just checked. FEC says he has over $15M cash on hand. That seems like someone gearing up for a Senate run .
And sorry to be a serial Menendez basher, but I suspect he's running for re-election only to resign shortly after with some agreement to make sure his son is appointed - thus making it more difficult on someone like Gottheimer to win an open race.
And sorry to be a serial Menendez basher, but I suspect he's running for re-election only to resign shortly after with some agreement to make sure his son is appointed - thus making it more difficult on someone like Gottheimer to win an open race.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-NJG-Voters-Guide-Final.pdf
Really good read for those interested.
BTW - some of the best analysis of legislative redistrciting I've seen.
Un:9757
