I have confirmed that several top New Jersey Democrats, including
@GovMurphy
, are going to call on
@SenatorMenendez
to resign shortly after he was indicted again.
Trump’s first words in Wildwood: “I love New Jersey and it’s great to be back in the Garden State.”
He touts how the state now has its lowest unemployment rate in history — something Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy also champions.
Just got to the elementary school in my hometown of East Brunswick, where
@GovMurphy
is going to announce masks in schools to start the new academic year:
This is the scene outside …
Introducing Everly Carol Johnson. Born 4-3-21 at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Jersey’s greatest city, New Brunswick.
She listened to
@thebeatles
for the first time today. I also sang her some
@billyjoel
. And now she is about to watch her first
@Mets
game ...
The crowd in Wildwood waiting for Trump. (While ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ plays over the loudspeakers.)
Not here? You can still watch Trump’s rally tonight:
Say hello to Carter David Johnson, born 1-28-24 in New Jersey’s greatest city, New Brunswick.
Yes, he’s dressed like Ebenezer Scrooge, but he likes to sleep, he has already heard The Beatles, and, while I can’t be sure, I think he already whispered, “Let’s go Mets!”
I didn’t go to many college parties. I didn’t belong to a frat. I spent much of my time at
@RutgersU
learning the incredibly daunting task of putting out a daily newspaper at
@daily_targum
. That’s a rarity in higher ed. And it helped make me who I am.
Incredibly proud of my amazing wife,
@MrsJohnsonMJS
, who was just named teacher of the year at the Woodbridge elementary school where she teaches 4th grade like a champ …
#GoLindsay
Today marks the long-awaited public hearing on the bill to legalize recreational
#marijuana
in N.J. I’ve never seen a committee room this packed in Trenton in my six years covering the Statehouse.
#MarijuanaMonday
I’m beyond lucky to be celebrating one year of marriage today to the incredible
@MrsJohnsonMJS
. Who else would mark the occasion by visiting Washington Irving’s house with me? (Which we did yesterday, because why the hell not?) She’s the absolute best.
Hello — and goodbye — from the Trenton War Memorial, where
@GovMurphy
is set to give one last
#coronavirus
briefing at 1 p.m.
It’s the end of an era. And I swear I’m going to pour all my photographs from the more than 100 I have covered into the worst coffee table book ever.
Arrived at the happiest place on earth (
@CitiField
) for
@Mets
#OpeningDay
just as New Jersey’s political world got rocked with the ruling against “the line.” Doing interviews and sending copy in between pitches.
Big thanks to
@TedShermanSL
and
@SusanKLivio
for the help …
#LGM
My father was my hero growing up. The reason I loved music, baseball, and media.
His time at
#Rutgers
still inspires elated and complicated feelings in me. He was great on the air. New Jersey Radio is incomplete without his voice and knowledge. Thanks,
@ScarletSpotRU
Episode 33 with longtime voice of
#Rutgers
Bruce Johnson is available now. Bruce talks about his broadcasting career and his years with the Scarlet Knights.
Listen here:
Gov. Murphy on who he’s supporting in November: “I’ve got a long history of supporting Democrats up and down the ballot, and that won’t change.”
Asked if he’ll endorse Andy Kim for Senate (even after the bitter battle with Tammy Murphy), he said: “Up and down the ballot.”
My very talented wife,
@MrsJohnsonMJS
, made a wonderful penguin cake for Miss Everly’s first birthday.
Everly would not smash it. She just wanted to gaze.
She did destroy a cupcake, though …
It was one of the great thrills of my young reporting career to appear on “Reporters Roundtable” for the first time. Michael Aron was the TV dean of Trenton journalism. It was an honor to know and learn from him. Few people were as respected and encouraging.
Rest in peace …
Greg Schiano is back at Rutgers. Now get me a CD copy of The Killers’ first album and a meal plan to Brower Commons, and I’ll really feel like I’ve returned to college.
#PartyLikeIts2004
BREAKING:
@SteveSweeney_NJ
just told us he won’t run for his old state Senate seat this fall but once again said he’s not done with politics.
He is likely to now focus on running for New Jersey governor in 2025.
@Mikel_Jollett
Two from the highly underrated 'Train In The Distance': "Two disappointed believers / Two people playing the game / Negotiations and love songs are often mistaken for one and the same."
The chants are now so loud, you can hear them throughout the Statehouse halls. “My god, my choice!” they’re shouting now.
Some have silver balloons with red lettering reading: “In God we trust” and “Vote no.”
Why does it offend so many people that Central Jerseyans believe Central Jersey exists? I don’t fight that north and south Jersey exist, even though both can be ridiculous.
#CentralJersey
@Mikel_Jollett
And "What is the point of this story? / What information pertains? / The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains."
NEW: A day after a big court hearing on the issue, leaders of the New Jersey Legislature from both parties say they are open to making changes to the state’s controversial primary ballot system.
Happy fifth wedding anniversary to my best friend, my favorite person, an amazing wife and mother, and someone who somehow shares my love of seeing where presidents once lived. (John Adams on our honeymoon? Yes.)
You’re the best thing I’ve ever found,
@MrsJohnsonMJS
…
Three years ago today, I married my favorite person — the smart, funny, patient, and talented
@MrsJohnsonMJS
. It was a great call.
And bless her for wearing a Howard Johnson Mets T-shirt at our post-wedding breakfast (and for not being embarrassed when I told him in person.)
Republican state Sen.
@declanoscanlon
on his issues with the new state budget proposal in New Jersey: "There’s a lot of big buts in this budget. I don’t like big buts, and I cannot lie."
BREAKING:
@GovMurphy
and top lawmakers have resolved the final sticking point in the bill to legalize
#marijuana
in New Jersey. A vote could happen March 25.
.
@GovMurphy
just criticized people for holding "the underground playdate."
I am now announcing the next
@TheClydesMusic
album will be called "The Underground Playdate."
Also, it’s really hot in Trenton. So my intrepid colleague
@MatthewArco
has decided to dress like Angus Young to beat the heat as we stake out state budget talks.
#NJBudgetDrama
I can't stress enough how heartbreaking this is.
@JDSalant
is not only a friend but a tireless, smart reporter and mentor who has taught me endless amounts about how to do this job.
He is the mayor of the Capital. He will be more than missed. New Jersey is losing a lot.
I was going to wait until my last day of work but
@MattFriedmanNJ
beat me to it.
@NJAdvanceMedia
is closing its DC bureau at the end of the week after almost nine years and nine reporting awards, including the Robin Toner Prize, Dirksen Award and two NJ Press Association awards.
BREAKING: There is a deal in place to end the strike at
#Rutgers
, according to sources familiar with the situation told NJ Advance Media.
More info soon.
ICYMI: It’s a big day in New Jersey politics. Steve Fulop pulled his endorsement of Tammy Murphy for U.S. Senate, while the lawsuit over the state’s “county line” primary ballot system is being heard in court.
This was the scene outside in Trenton.
I spent part of today singing ‘Hard Habit To Break’ by Chicago to Everly. I did both parts.
My hope is she’s just a few months from taking the Bill Champlin part. I call Peter Cetera.
(Side note: She listens to music so intently. She’s great.)
#DispatchesFromPaternityLeave
Happy 2nd anniversary to the greatest person I have ever met. (And I’m sure that will remain true even if I ever met Billy Joel and Pete Alonso. She’s that great.)
.
@NJSenatePres
just told reporters that he won’t speak about the election results in detail until tomorrow. He said he will hold a news conference.
But, he added, “Did you see I made ‘Saturday Night Live’”?
Covering this crisis has been so maddening that last night, I woke up twice thinking I was late for a Facebook Live to discuss the coronavirus in N.J.
And at one point, I thought Tamron Hall was yelling at me through the television that her viewers could see me sleeping.
Just wanted to take a moment to praise my wonderful wife
@MrsJohnsonMJS
, a part-time, should-be-full-time baker who makes amazing things like this.
Is it cake? Yes, it is. And it’s wonderful.
WATCH: A group of casino-worker union leaders smoked cigarettes inside the New Jersey Statehouse today to protest suddenly shrinking support for a bill that would completely ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos.
@spsullivan
But after acclimating to New Jersey, Amazon will immediately be pressured to take sides on whether it’s Taylor Ham or pork roll and if Central Jersey is a real place.
Happy first
#MothersDay
to the wonderful
@MrsJohnsonMJS
, who does a beyond incredible job with the daunting task of mothering both Hodges and Everly ...
Carter and Everly enjoyed
#OpeningDay
despite the outcome. Maybe as they search for Easter eggs this weekend, they can find a second hit for the Mets …
#Welp
#LGM
Waiting for
@BarackObama
to arrive at Weequahic Park in Newark to stump for
@PhilMurphyNJ
at a rally on the first day of in-person early voting in New Jersey.
The 2010s were the decade my band formed and when I started working for the Ledger’s Statehouse bureau. But more than anything, it’s when I met my wonderful wife and my best buddy Max.
Hope the 2020s are just as great ...
#HappyNewYear