Central Jersey Newswire

NJGOP Finds Hundreds of Non-Citizens on New Jersey Voter Rolls

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:05:15 GMT

COLTS NECK — The New Jersey Republican State Committee said Monday that its newly-formed Election Integrity Task Force has identified hundreds of non-citizens registered to vote across the state’s 21 counties, along with at least 30 documented cases of non-citizens casting ballots — some in multiple elections over several years.

The party said the findings came from public-records requests filed with all 21 counties in coordination with the Republican National Committee. NJGOP Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon called the results preliminary. “We have just begun our analysis and already have uncovered significant breaches,” she said, describing them as “just the tip of the iceberg.”

(Credit: iStock)

The party points to the Motor Vehicle Commission as the central vulnerability. Non-citizens can legally hold New Jersey driver’s licenses and many qualify for Social Security numbers, and the state has run automatic voter registration through the MVC since 2018. Earlier this year New Jersey moved to an “opt-out” registration model, which Hanlon argues raises the risk that ineligible residents land on active voter rolls.

The announcement follows federal charges in May against four New Jersey residents accused of illegally voting. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the four, all green-card holders, voted in at least one federal election between 2020 and 2024 and falsely certified that they were citizens on their registration and naturalization forms. U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said the cases reflected his office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the election system.

According to the NJGOP, many of the registrations surfaced through self-reporting — non-citizens who asked to be removed during the naturalization process. “Without these disclosures, election officials may never have detected these individuals,” Hanlon said.

The party’s broader “hundreds” figure has not been independently verified. Current and former election officials have told the Associated Press that non-citizen voting is rare and that the decentralized U.S. system makes large-scale fraud nearly impossible, and state officials maintain New Jersey’s elections remain secure.

Hanlon said the task force’s work is ongoing as more county records arrive. “Election integrity is not a partisan or political issue,” she said, “but the very foundation of our democracy.”

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‘Also Human’ Podcast Launches on the Disabilities Rights Network, Putting the Special Needs Community Front and Center

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:30:37 GMT

There’s no shortage of podcasts - but there is a shortage of podcasts that hand the microphone to the people American institutions talk about instead of talking to.

The Disabilities Rights Network is trying to fix that.

The network — a video podcast and YouTube channel built around individuals with special needs, their families, caregivers, educators, and advocates — announced the launch of Also Human, a new video podcast hosted by Mike Ferraro of Tomorrow’s Hope Today. The launch episode is available now on the DRN YouTube channel.

‘Every Person Belongs’

DRN’s pitch is simple, and it’s right there in the tagline: “Where every voice is heard, every story matters, and every person belongs.”

The network describes its mission as bridging the gap between individuals with disabilities and “the resources, rights, and recognition they deserve — one powerful conversation at a time.” That means real stories, actionable resources, and community-driven conversations aimed at systemic change — for children, adults, veterans, and families alike.

Not awareness-campaign wallpaper. Conversations with the people actually living it.

Why It Matters

Ask any family navigating special education services, adult disability programs, or veterans’ care what the hardest part is, and you’ll hear the same answer: finding out what help exists — and how to actually get it.

Who fills that gap?

That’s the lane Also Human is stepping into: a platform where families, caregivers, educators, and advocates trade firsthand knowledge instead of starting from scratch alone. DRN says the project is grounded in a shared belief that individuals with special needs deserve full access to resources, rights, dignity, and inclusion in American society.

The title makes the point before the first guest says a word. Also Human. It shouldn’t need saying. It still does.

Where to Watch - and Take Action

The launch episode of Also Human with host Mike Ferraro is streaming now on YouTube. New conversations will be published on the Disabilities Rights Network channel. The group will also take part in a Advocacy Day in Trenton alongside disability advocates Assemblymen Rob Clifton and Alex Sauickie.

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Trump backs Rep. Smith on eve of New Jersey primary

Central Jersey Newswire — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:43:42 GMT

Washington, D.C. -President Donald Trump has endorsed Representative Chris Smith for re-election in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, posting his support on Truth Social at 9:40 p.m. June 1 — hours before the state’s primary. Trump praised Smith as a strong advocate for his district, tied him to the administration’s agenda on the economy, energy, the border, and veterans, and called it his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

Smith is among the most senior figures in Congress. First elected in 1980, he is tied for the longest-serving current House member, and now sits as a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Over four decades he has built a profile around veterans’ services, health care, and anti-human-trafficking legislation.

The 4th District — covering conservative parts of Ocean and Monmouth counties — is among the state’s most reliably Republican seats, backing Trump by about 30 points in 2024. Smith faces little resistance in the GOP primary, while Democrats choose between John Blake and Rachel Peace for the right to challenge him in November.

President Trump also issued his endorsement for Smith in 2025. The current nod restates his support for the Congressman and is one of more than 200 that President Trump has issued ahead of the 2026 midterms as Republicans defend a narrow House majority. In New Jersey, he has also backed Representatives Jeff Van Drew and Thomas Kean Jr. Polls close at 8 p.m.

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BREAKING: Lebovics lied about Lakewood Vaad endorsement

Central Jersey Newswire — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:22:14 GMT

Lakewood, Ocean County - The Lakewood Vaad has not endorsed Dr. Bob Lebovics in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, per a message and graphic sent to Central Jersey Newswire, disputing a central claim of the Lebovics campaign.

The statement contradicts a May 13 press release from the Lebovics campaign, headlined “The Vaad Goes for Dr. Bob,” which announced that the candidate had “earned the endorsement of the Lakewood Vaad” in the Senate primary and quoted Lebovics thanking Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg “for organizing the meeting.”

Image supplied to CJN by a Lakewood source close to the Vaad.

In the above graphic provided to Central Jersey Newswire, the Vaad addressed only the local Republican primary, recommending Township Committee candidates Debbie Fuentes and Moshe Raitzik and stating that the council “does not generally issue formal endorsements in primary elections.” The graphic makes no reference to the U.S. Senate race.

Lebovics, an ear, nose and throat surgeon from Bergen County, is one of four Republicans on Tuesday’s ballot, along with Alex Zdan, Justin Murphy and Richard Tabor. The winner faces Democratic incumbent Sen. Cory Booker in November.

The Vaad’s support is among the most sought-after endorsements in the region, given the organized, high-turnout Orthodox communities across Ocean and Monmouth counties.
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Zdan emerges as clear frontrunner after GOP primary debate for U.S. Senate

Central Jersey Newswire — Fri, 29 May 2026 01:43:49 GMT

Robbinsville, Mercer County - After an enlightening and engaging GOP primary debate, Alex Zdan has solidified himself as the clear frontrunner in the race to dethrone Senator Cory Booker.

“While I appreciate my opponents taking time to share their vision, it is abundantly clear that I have the energy, the passion, the support, and the apparatus to take on Cory Booker as I have before as a hard-charging investigative reporter and news anchor,” said Alex Zdan.

Alex Zdan, a former investigative journalist and TV news anchor, is vying to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker in November, should he claim victory in the June 2nd Republican primary.

The debate hosted by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University included discussion of a number of issues ranging from foreign policy to local matters. Zdan made it crystal clear that he will be a dynamic partner for New Jersey families who have been forgotten by Cory Booker and the corruption of the Washington Swamp. Zdan was also the only candidate to condemn the rise of antisemitism, commit to supporting ICE and President Trump’s efforts to curb illegal immigration, and to ending the war on families by Big Pharma and woke radicals.

Zdan also committed to considering replacing Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) whose failure to deliver on the SAVE Act has handicapped election integrity efforts, adding that he will be an independent voice that puts New Jersey first.

“As I said in the debate, Cory Booker is running for President - not the United States Senate - and is using New Jersey as his proving ground with nothing to show for it,” said Zdan. “I look forward to unifying our Republican party after a primary victory and galvanizing its diverse strengths while welcoming independents and even Democrats who are fed up with politics as usual.”

“Simply put: putting America first happens when you have a Senator that puts New Jersey first,” Zdan added.

Voters can watch the full debate on the New Jersey Globe’s YouTube page. Election Day is Tuesday, June 2nd.
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CJN Editors: HOT AIR POLITICS? Spadea’s Brand Is Built on Outrage — Not Results

Central Jersey Newswire — Tue, 26 May 2026 23:12:50 GMT

From the CJN editors:

Bill Spadea’s most recent endorsement just became his newest political loss.

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie — one of President Trump’s most persistent Republican critics who has been publicly defended and supported by Spadea — was recently defeated in his Republican primary after Trump-backed opposition consolidated against him.

For many Republicans, Massie’s defeat represented another rejection of anti-Trump Republican politics inside the GOP.

For Spadea critics, it represented something else: another example of a recurring pattern.

Over the years, Spadea has repeatedly aligned himself with insurgent candidates and political figures who ultimately failed to win elections. Central Jersey Newswire previously documented a string of candidates backed by Spadea who came up short at the ballot box despite endorsements, repeated promotion, and significant on-air attention.

Meanwhile, a difficult question has increasingly emerged inside both establishment and grassroots Republican circles: does Spadea help candidates — or hurt them?

The concern is amplified by Spadea’s long history of attacking Republican leaders with proven electoral records. For years, Spadea has used his NJ101.5 radio show to criticize Republican county chairs, GOP organizations, and party leadership — often portraying them as weak, ineffective, corrupt, or disconnected from the conservative movement, often feeling like he is screaming into a pillow with rage, sans the pillow.

Yet, many of the officials and organizations he targets have demonstrated something Spadea has not: Consistent electoral success.

This is not a new pattern. Before repositioning himself as an alleged America First or MAGA conservative, Spadea repeatedly criticized President Trump — comments later resurfaced by Central Jersey Newswire showing years of sharp attacks on the very political movement he now claims to champion.

The contradiction has not gone unnoticed among Republican voters, as Spadea’s own electoral résumé tells a very different story.

His 2025 gubernatorial campaign — framed as a grassroots rebellion against the Republican establishment — ended in a decisive defeat. Jack Ciattarelli defeated Spadea 67.8% to 21.7%, winning by more than 214,000 votes. Ciattarelli earned 316,283 votes to Spadea’s 101,408, a lopsided result for a candidate who repeatedly argued he best represented the Republican base.

The loss was not an isolated setback. Spadea has never won a primary election. He has never held elected office. And despite branding himself as a political kingmaker, questions surrounding his endorsement record continue to follow him.

Central Jersey Newswire has also reported on fundraising controversies involving PAC activity linked to Spadea, including concerns surrounding political solicitations directed toward elderly donors and how political contributions were utilized. While Spadea has disputed criticism, the reporting added to broader questions about whether his political operation produces more controversy than measurable political results.

But perhaps the biggest concern raised by some Republicans has less to do with Spadea himself and more to do with the effect of his message.

At a time when Republicans are trying to grow the party, expand turnout, and build enthusiasm, critics argue that constant outrage, rage-baiting, and scorched-earth attacks against Republican leadership risk producing the opposite effect.

When voters repeatedly hear that Republican leaders are corrupt, weak, broken, or incapable of governing, the result may not be greater participation — it may be greater disengagement.

After all, what is the best revenge against a party that has continually made it clear it does not want you? You burn it to the ground from the inside.

Political movements grow through trust, momentum, and optimism. They shrink when voters become cynical, exhausted, or convinced participation no longer matters.

That raises a larger question Republicans may increasingly have to confront:

Is Bill Spadea actually trying to build the conservative movement in the Garden State — or is he simply profiting from frustration in hopes to stunt electoral growth as others do the work of actually winning elections?
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Razi: New leadership means a new generation at the local level

Sara Razi — Sun, 24 May 2026 15:16:26 GMT

The political atmosphere in New Jersey needs to change and that change begins at the local level.

For far too long, politics in our state has revolved around whether candidates love or hate President Trump, while everyday issues affecting working families continue to worsen. In towns across New Jersey, residents are facing rising municipal debt, higher taxes, and skyrocketing utility bills, and many feel disconnected from the people elected to represent them. Local government should focus on solving local problems, and not fueling endless political division.

This is why I decided to step forward and become part of a new generation of leadership by running for Town Council in Freehold Borough. As a Pakistani American, political activist, grassroots organizer, former real estate law paralegal, and real estate developer, I have spent years working directly with people from all walks of life, in both politics and the legal profession. My experience has shown that residents are tired of political theater; they want affordability, transparent leadership and a government that listens.

Sara Razi, candidate for Freehold Borough Council. (Credit: Razi campaign)

Over the past six years, I organized petition drives, rallies, and grassroots campaigns at Rutgers University, one of the most politically active campuses in the state. Through that experience, I learned how to build coalitions among students with very different beliefs and backgrounds. Whether advocating for bodily autonomy, organizing student initiatives, and providing support for student government campaigns, I saw firsthand that meaningful progress happens when people focus on shared concerns instead of partisanship.

This same principle is what inspired me to run for Town Council in Freehold Borough as an independent-minded Republican. As a resident of Freehold Borough for 13 years, I have watched the cost of living dramatically rise while many residents struggle to get by. Over the last five years, municipal debt has grown, utility costs continue to increase, and taxpayers are forced to suffer financially. The residents of Freehold Borough deserve a representative on Borough Council who has the courage to ask difficult questions about government spending, transparency, and long-term financial planning.

It has become increasingly clear that many younger voices are missing from local government. In Freehold Borough, the same perspectives have dominated decision-making for years, while younger generations remain largely absent from the conversation.

Bringing in a new generation of leadership means bringing fresh ideas and renewed energy to the issues that matter most. Conversations about special needs advocacy, housing affordability, lowering the gas tax escalator, and municipal debt are often overlooked in local politics, despite directly impacting families every day.

That is why I am running for Freehold Borough Council: to bring new ideas, stronger accountability, and a voice that will fight for residents first.

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Sara Razi is an award-winning medical freedom activist and the former New Jersey State Chair of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). While at Rutgers University, Razi became a prominent leader in opposing COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, organizing rallies and petitions that drew significant attention. She also spearheaded the formation of the largest conservative and libertarian coalition on campus, bringing together Rutgers YAL and Rutgers TPUSA.

Known for her leadership, public speaking, recruitment strategies, grassroots organizing, and coalition-building, Sara has made a lasting impact in both political and community spheres. Beyond politics, she has experience as a Real Estate Law Executive Assistant for over two years and is currently a Realtor Associate and a Marketing Specialist, and member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)

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Want more CJN? Make sure to follow us on social media platforms. If you’re interested in joining the team, have questions about advertising, or want to send hate mail, please message us her on Substack.

Rep. Smith warns Congress: China’s organ harvesting operation is “execution by extraction”

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:32:49 GMT

Washington, D.C - Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) Congressman Chris Smith chaired a hearing on Thursday examining allegations of forced organ harvesting and illegal organ trafficking tied to the Chinese Communist Party. The hearing, titled “A Market Built on Victims: Stopping Illegal Organ Trafficking in China and Beyond,” focused on testimony from former detainees, human rights advocates, and experts who described what Smith called “one of the most barbaric human rights atrocities of our time.”

In his opening statement, Smith warned that forced organ harvesting has evolved into a global black market fueled by “coercion, poverty, corruption, secrecy, and demand,” with China at the center of many of the allegations. He described the practice as “murder masquerading as medicine” and argued that political prisoners, religious minorities, and vulnerable detainees have allegedly been turned into “inventory” for organ transplants.

Smith noted that he first chaired a congressional hearing on forced organ harvesting on June 18, 1996, adding that the evidence gathered over the last three decades has become “more disturbing, more detailed, and more compelling.” He cited longstanding allegations involving Falun Gong practitioners, peaceful men and women targeted by the Chinese Communist Party for eradication, as well as Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Tibetans, and death row inmates. He also referenced previous findings from the China Tribunal and testimony describing “military hospitals, impossibly short wait times, organs available on demand, and a transplant system that cannot withstand scrutiny.”

The hearing also featured testimony from witnesses who claimed to have firsthand knowledge of China’s prison and detention systems. Smith referenced accounts involving coerced consent forms, prisoners allegedly taken into surgery and never returning, and unconscious detainees reportedly transported into operating rooms under armed supervision.

“That is not voluntary donation,” Smith said. “That is execution by organ extraction.”

Smith additionally criticized the World Health Organization for accepting Beijing’s claims that its transplant system now complies with international standards, arguing international institutions have failed to adequately investigate the allegations.

A major focus of the hearing was Smith’s Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025, legislation that passed the House by a 406-1 vote. The bill would criminalize participation in forced organ trafficking, impose sanctions, deny visas to offenders, and create penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $1 million for knowingly facilitating coerced organ transplants. Smith urged the Senate to act on the legislation, warning that “every day without consequences is another day perpetrators operate in the shadows.”

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McGuire makes his case for Congress

Central Jersey Newswire — Mon, 11 May 2026 22:31:25 GMT

Michael McGuire didn’t just appear from the consultant-filled backrooms gambling on a potential payday or from a rotating roster of perennial candidates. He’s a Marine veteran, retired NYPD officer, attorney, Naval reservist, football coach, husband, and father — and now he’s trying to flip New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District for Republicans. CJN spent a few minutes with McGuire and it was clear: this campaign is personal.

When asked about the moment he decided to run for Congress, McGuire didn’t hesitate to answer. This decision came during a federal government shutdown while he was serving as a Naval reservist. He watched younger reservists — kids barely out of college — suddenly lose the supplemental income they counted on for gas, groceries, and rent. Active-duty personnel eventually got protected, but many reservists just stayed home, unpaid, with past due bills piling up and reenlistment bonuses sitting in limbo for months.

”Washington was doing what Washington does, grinding through another round of partisan warfare, and these young men and women who’d raised their right hand to serve were just... caught in the middle of it,” said McGuire.

That was McGuire’s breaking point, but it took his wife, Samantha, to actually push him over the edge.

“Stop complaining about it and do something about it,” she said.

So, McGuire did - and now he’s on the ballot.

McGuire and family at his son’s graduation from Marine Corps Basic Training in Parris Island, South Carolina.

New Jersey’s third district that McGuire is running in cuts across parts of Monmouth, Mercer, and Burlington counties — communities where dinner table conversations tend to circle back to the same handful of things: property taxes, the cost of living, and public safety. Those aren’t just campaign themes he picked off a memo -they’re what people actually bring up when he’s out talking to voters. Toll hikes, housing costs, inflation, the general sense that New Jersey has become too expensive for the people who’ve spent their whole lives here - this is what keeps District 3 families awake at night, a feeling McGuire, who was a single parent while serving as a police officer, knows too well.

McGuire joined the NYPD after serving in the United States Marine Corps. He was with the NYPD on September 11th — and like a lot of officers who lived through that day, it never really left him. He talks about it with a calm, measured reflection, the way most people do when something has genuinely reshaped how they see the world. That sense of duty carried into everything that followed: his legal career, his reserve service, his work as a mediator. After leaving law enforcement he became an attorney, drawing on years of actual experience in policing, the military, and finance rather than arriving at a career in law straight from a classroom. He makes a point of that distinction, saying real leadership isn't about volume -it's about understanding how systems work, knowing the law, and being willing to sit across the table from someone and actually solve something.

McGuire (second from right) and comrades while on a tour of duty.

His platform tracks pretty closely with those concerns. He talks about affordability, border security, constitutional rights, government accountability — but what separates him from a lot of candidates is that he tends to arrive at these positions through lived experience rather than talking points.

Take immigration. His views are shaped by two things: years in law enforcement and his legal background. He’s blunt about sanctuary state policies, arguing they put both officers and communities at unnecessary risk. He kept coming back to one idea throughout the conversation: that federal, state, and local agencies should be working together, not actively getting in each other’s way.

On the economy and spending, he sounds less like a politician than like an accountant who’s had enough - which, to be fair, is partly what he is. McGuire prefers to get into the weeds on inflation, government waste, balanced budgets, and the math of what the country is actually spending versus what it’s taking in. It’s not glamorous stuff, but he clearly means it, because its that kind of stuff - the priorities behind budgets - that matter.

One of the more memorable parts of his pitch is the term limits angle. He’s signed a pledge supporting them and talks about it often, to the point where its both policy and punchline.

“Congress was never supposed to be a career destination,” He joked. “One of my first goals in Washington would be getting myself fired.” It lands because it doesn’t feel like a line he workshopped. He actually seems to believe it.

The most interesting stretch of the conversation, though, came when foreign policy came up. A lot of candidates in his position just reach for the nearest slogan. McGuire didn’t. McGuire considers himself “America First,” but then took some care to explain what he actually means by it.

“It’s not isolationism, but a disciplined framework where military intervention is tied to real national security interests, not ideology or political points,” he noted. It sounded less like cable news parroting and more like someone who has actually worn a uniform and thought seriously about what American national security means.

McGuire and sons outside the U.S. Capitol complex earlier this year.

That thread runs through a lot of what McGuire talks about. He mentioned bringing his young sons to Washington after returning from active duty — walking them through Arlington, the Vietnam Memorial, the National Archives, and the Capitol. This wasn’t a photo op, but rather a way of trying to explain something harder to put into words: sacrifice, history, what it actually means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Whether you agree with his politics and policy nuance or not, McGuire is running a campaign that’s rooted in service and authenticity. In a cycle full of manufactured personas and consultant-approved messaging, he’s making a pretty straightforward bet — that voters can still tell the difference between a biography and a brand.

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Sauickie: Your Children’s Schools are Being Destroyed. Democrats Know It, and They Continue to Let It Happen

Alex Sauickie — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:16:51 GMT

There is no longer any excuse.

No confusion. No complexity. No politics.

After eight years, the Democrats in charge in Trenton know exactly what New Jersey’s school funding formula is doing, and they are choosing not to fix it. Your children are paying the price.

When the S2 school funding formula was passed in 2018, it was sold as a fair and responsible way to allocate state aid. It was sponsored by leading Democrats, specifically now Senate Majority Leader and Newark legislator Teresa Ruiz, and signed into law with promises of equity. What it actually did was trigger a massive redistribution of funding that has hollowed out dozens of school districts—particularly in rural, suburban, and shore communities, while locking in long-term instability.

As an example, Toms River now gets less than $2,000 per student in state aid while Newark is approaching $35,000.

And here’s the part no one can ignore anymore: we’ve now had eight years to fix it.

Assemblyman Alex Sauickie speaks at a rally. (Credit: Assemblyman Alex Sauickie on Facebook)

For eight years, school districts have warned Trenton exactly what would happen. Parents have shown up, year after year, demanding answers.

Superintendents and boards of education have laid out the numbers in plain terms: the math does not work. Legislators, myself included, have introduced legislation to stabilize funding, reform the formula, and prevent the worst of the damage.

Still, nothing meaningful has changed.

Across New Jersey, districts have been forced into decisions no community should have to make. Teachers have been laid off. Class sizes have grown. Programs have been cut. Extracurriculars have been eliminated. Schools have closed entirely. These are not hypothetical outcomes, they are happening right now, and they have been happening since Ruiz and her colleagues put S2 in motion.

In communities from Jackson to Jefferson, West Milford to Washington, and others across the state, the cumulative impact of S2 has meant tens of millions of dollars stripped from suburban and urban schools. The result is not efficiency. It is erosion. It is the slow dismantling of public education in places that have done nothing wrong except follow the rules and plan responsibly.

And yet, just this past month, the current administration made it clear: there will be no fix this year.

After nearly a decade of damage, after repeated warnings, legislative proposals, and real consequences for real families, the answer is still “not now.”

Why?

Because this isn’t a mistake. It’s a policy choice. And yes, it’s a political choice. It was from the start.

The architects of S2 understood exactly what they were doing. They phased the formula in over multiple years to soften the immediate impact while ensuring the long-term shift would take hold. They knew certain districts would lose millions annually. They knew local taxpayers would be forced to make up the difference or watch their schools decline. And they knew that once those changes were fully implemented, reversing them would become politically and financially difficult.

That is exactly where we are today.

(Credit: Shutterstock)

We were told this was about fairness. But there is nothing fair about a system where your tax dollars are redirected away from your community, your schools, your schoolchildren, and are told to do more with less, while your children lose opportunities year after year.

State aid is not a gift, it is your money being returned to educate your children. Under S2, that basic principle was abandoned. As an example, while Jackson’s parents contribute $70 million annually in income taxes and get $22 million back in state aid, Newark whose residents contribute $44 million in income tax is expected to get almost $1.4 BILLION in state aid this year. That’s not only the most state aid in NJ, that’s in the top 10 in the entire country for one school district!

There have been solutions. There have been proposals to cap losses, stabilize aid, and modernize the formula to reflect real-world conditions. Those ideas have not failed because they lack merit. They have failed because addressing the problem would require acknowledging that the system itself is flawed.

And that is the truth Trenton continues to avoid.

So we are left with a reality that is as frustrating as it is undeniable: the continued decline of these school districts is not happening because it cannot be fixed. It is happening because it is not being fixed.

That distinction matters.

Because if something is broken and ignored, that is negligence. But if something is known to be broken, repeatedly highlighted, and still left in place, that becomes intentional.

How many more schools need to close? How many more teachers need to leave? How many more programs need to disappear before the people in charge decide enough is enough?

For the families I represent—and for families across New Jersey—that point has already been reached.

Your children deserve better.

And it is time for the people who caused this to stop pretending otherwise, take responsibility, and let the rest of us finally fix it.

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Assemblyman Alex Sauickie represents thirteen municipalities across Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, and Burlington counties in the New Jersey General Assembly. Follow him on Facebook (@AssemblymanAlex), Instagram (@AssemblymanAlex), X (@AlexSauickie) or visit AssemblymanAlex.com.

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NJGOP Launches Election Integrity Task Force

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:27:07 GMT

COLTS NECK, N.J. ⎯ New Jersey Republican Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon announced the formation of an Election Integrity Task Force to research, identify, and fight for solutions to address irregularities in our election systems throughout New Jersey.

“Like many New Jerseyans, election integrity is of utmost importance to me. All Americans want free, fair and secure elections and a system that maintains the public trust,” Chairwoman Hanlon said. “The NJGOP Election Integrity Task Force will work to help ensure that New Jersey’s elections are securely and fairly administered and help safeguard the integrity of the process.”

The NJGOP’s Election Integrity Task Force is comprised of Republican elections officials and election law experts from throughout the state. The Task Force will complement the Republican National Committee’s ongoing election integrity efforts in New Jersey.

Voting irregularities made headlines in New Jersey last week as the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced four new cases against non-citizens illegally voting in federal elections in New Jersey.

“How were non-citizens able to vote, and how did they end up on the voter rolls in New Jersey in the first place?” Chairwoman Hanlon said. “The Election Integrity Task Force could not come at a better time. I am proud to lead this group of Republicans to ensure fair elections for all New Jerseyans.”

In addition to Chairwoman Hanlon, who has served as County Clerk of Monmouth County since 2015 and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth County Board of Elections prior to that, other members of the task force include:

April Bengivenga, NJGOP Committeewoman representing Middlesex County
James Foerst, Esq., Secretary and Commissioner of Registration for the Union County Board of Elections
Linda Hughes, Republican Administrator of the Burlington County Board of Elections
Donald Katz, Esq., Republican State Committeeman representing Middlesex County and Counsel to the Middlesex County Republican Organization
William Pallatucci, Esq., New Jersey Republican National Committeeman
Donald Purdy, Commissioner of the Atlantic County Board of Elections and Atlantic
County Republican Chairman
Jason Sena, Esq., New Jersey counsel to Republican National Committee and counsel to the NJGOP

“We are taking an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach, as nothing is more important than securing our elections,” Hanlon added. “We were founded on self-governance, the belief that we can determine our representation and our destiny. As our nation approaches its 250^th birthday, we are aiming to make our founding fathers proud by doubling down on the safeguards of our most precious institutions.”

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The New Jersey Republican State Committee is the official entity of the Republican National Committee and represents more than 1.6 million Republicans registered in New Jersey. For more information, visit NJGOP.org.

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“Justice for Vulnerable Residents Act” Would Protect Individuals with Disabilities, Sauickie Says

Central Jersey Newswire — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:12:34 GMT

Trenton, NJ – A landmark initiative to greatly expand protections for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) across New Jersey must be promptly moved through both houses of the state Legislature, according to Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.

Sauickie wrote the bill (A4008) in the Assembly, and it quickly picked up bipartisan support in the state Senate, where it has been introduced as S3638. It has strong support from advocates for those with IDD, Sauickie says. Sauickie, who along with his 12th District Assembly colleague Deputy Minority Leader Rob Clifton (R-Monmouth), helps lead a bipartisan coalition that recently hosted a statewide roundtable which heard emotional testimonies from families and advocates about abuse and neglect in group homes for disabled adults, CJN previously reported.

The legislation, the “Justice for Vulnerable Residents Act,” establishes an independent Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities, designed to strengthen oversight, centralize investigations, and ensure accountability in cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

“This proposal is about protecting those who cannot always protect themselves,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. “For too long, families and advocates have raised concerns about fragmented oversight and inconsistent investigations. This bill brings real accountability, independence, and urgency to safeguarding some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Assemblymen Alex Sauickie (L) and Deputy Minority Leader Rob Clifton (R) hosted a roundtable that heard testimony from families of adults with disabilities. (Credit: District 12 office)

The bill, introduced earlier this year, creates a Justice Center that will operate independently within, but not under the control of, the Department of Law and Public Safety which is headed by the state’s Attorney General. The Center will be responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving individuals with IDD in state-licensed or operated residential and day programs.

The legislation is modeled in part on a proven framework used in New York and incorporates recommendations from advocates and the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, who have long called for a more centralized and independent investigative structure. Former ombudsman Paul Aronsohn — the first, and so far the only, state-appointed advocate for people with IDD — suggested looking at the New York model as a means of improving New Jersey’s system.

Sauickie emphasized the broad bipartisan support behind the bill, noting collaboration with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the Assembly and Senate.

“I want to thank all of the sponsors of this legislation, including my Democratic colleagues, for recognizing the urgency and importance of this issue,” Sauickie said. “Protecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities should never be a partisan issue. The strong bipartisan support behind the bills sends a clear message: New Jersey is committed to doing better. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the isle to join as co-sponsors in support of this important legislation.”

Under the legislation, the Justice Center will:

Centralize and standardize investigations into abuse, neglect, and exploitation
Establish dedicated criminal and civil investigation units
Maintain and oversee the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Provide enhanced transparency, reporting, and accountability
Develop uniform training, policies, and oversight mechanisms across care settings

The bill also includes the creation of a specialized Medical Review Board to examine deaths from non-natural causes and identify systemic improvements to prevent future harm.

“This is about building a system that not only responds to incidents, but prevents them,” Sauickie added. “Families deserve peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are protected by a system that is independent, thorough, and accountable.”

The legislation has already garnered strong support from members of the IDD community, including families, advocates, and care providers.

“For families like mine, this bill creating an independent Justice Center represents hope — hope that our loved ones will be safer, and that if something does happen, we will have answers and there will finally be real accountability. This legislation reflects years of advocacy, and will certainly offer families peace of mind and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities.” — Joanne Curcio, member of the NJ State Policy Committee, New Jersey Chapter of National Council of Severe Autism, and the parent of a young adult with a developmental disability.

“The establishment of an independent Justice Center represents a critical step forward. This legislation creates a framework for enhanced oversight, investigation, and enforcement, ensuring that bad actors are held accountable for their actions, while strengthening protections for individuals with disabilities across New Jersey.” — Steve Setteducati, CEO of New Concepts for Living

Sauickie reiterated that this legislation represents a meaningful step toward long-overdue reform.

“Government has a fundamental responsibility to protect its people, especially those who are most vulnerable,” Sauickie said. “With this legislation, we are taking that responsibility seriously and delivering real reform that will save lives, improve care, and restore trust.”

The Assemblyman expressed confidence that the bipartisan momentum behind the legislation will help drive it to passage in the current legislative session.

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Israeli fugitive accused of child sex crimes captured in Lakewood after global manhunt

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:50:42 GMT

Lakewood – U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force members, working in coordination with ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark, arrested a fugitive in Lakewood, NJ, who is wanted by Israeli authorities for sex crimes against children. Yechiel Yehoshua Farkas, also known as Yechiel Farkash, a 43-year-old Lakewood resident, was taken into federal custody without incident in Lakewood on April 16, 2026 by HSI special agents and members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The investigation was conducted jointly by HSI Newark, HSI Los Angeles, and the U.S. Marshals Service, alongside international law enforcement partners. After authorities were notified that Israel was seeking to prosecute, coordination efforts led to his location and arrest. Pursuant to the U.S.-Israel extradition treaty, the Government of Israel requested a provisional arrest pending extradition, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey obtained a provisional arrest warrant from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Farkash committed the acts while working as a teacher and director at Torat Hahyahim, a yeshiva in Bnei Brak, Israel between 2020 and 2023, according to court documents and the U.S. Marshals. The Asbury Park Press notes that Farkas started grooming one boy when he was 15, luring him with gifts and money, showing him pornography and telling him not to be ungrateful when he resisted his sexual advances, the complaint reads. According to charging documents, Farkash tried to sexually assault the boy on several occasions in Israel, including in a hot tub while at a bed and breakfast, at a waterpark, in a vehicle on a drive and in an apartment he rented. He tried to kiss and touch another teen boy in a car while on a shopping excursion, according to the charging documents.

Farkash fled Israel on Jan. 4, 2024 after the first victim reported him to a staff member at the Jewish boarding school.

“This arrest reflects the strength of international cooperation in pursing individuals accused of serious crimes, especially those involving the exploitation of minors,” said Nicholas Ricigliano, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey, in a release from the U.S. Marshals.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting New Jersey by enhancing border security and ensuring the United States does not become a haven for criminal fugitives,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy in a release from ICE.

“Through robust collaboration with HSI Los Angeles, the U.S. Marshals Service and our global law enforcement partners, we proactively identify individuals who threaten public safety and diligently pursue justice for those accused of serious indecent acts against minors. The United States will not provide sanctuary to those seeking to escape accountability,” McCarthy continued.

The extradition matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey in coordination with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

The U.S. Marshals Service has a longstanding role in supporting fugitive investigations through strong interagency partnerships. These efforts have led to the development of both permanent and ad hoc task forces designed to respond to cases posing immediate threats to public safety. In 2025, U.S. Marshals Service-led fugitive task forces arrested more than 73,000 fugitives and cleared nearly 88,000 warrants nationwide.
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Flynn and Scharfenberger launch podcast taking you inside Trenton

Central Jersey Newswire — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:55:03 GMT

Holmdel - District 13 Assembly members Vicky Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger are adding another feather into their cap of constituent outreach, now taking their insight and experience statewide. Whether you’re a newcomer to Jersey politics or a studied politico, Vicky and Gerry give you and inside peek into the life and labors of those serving in Trenton.

Having launched nearly two months ago on YouTube, ”Live from NJ with Vicky and Gerry” delivers no-nonsense conversations with clarity, covering on New Jersey issues, local updates pertinent to Legislative District 13. Each episode breaks down the topics that matter most to their residents, with behind-the-scenes insight into the legislative process, committee work, and stories from across ranging from District 13 to state or national issues.

Their most recent installment, Episode 4 (below), featured their first guest, their 10th District colleague Assemblyman Paul Kanitra. The conversation unpacks the innumerable pressures driving New Jersey’s affordability challenges, as well as an discussion of the realities behind housing costs, escalating property taxes, and the impact younger residents experiencing as they try to stay in the state. The conversation also covers the FY27 budget, including how it’s developed, what priorities are being set, and the potential effects on taxpayers statewide.

”Live with Vicky and Gerry” can be found on YouTube and Facebook.

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NJGOP Chair Hanlon slams Washington Democrats, dangerous rhetoric after Correspondent Dinner shooting

Central Jersey Newswire — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:56:35 GMT

COLTS NECK — Chairwoman Christine Hanlon issued the following statement regarding the active shooter who opened fire at last night’s White House Correspondents Dinner:

“I am grateful for the swift action by our law enforcement officers and Secret Service, whose professionalism ensured the safety of the President, First Lady, Cabinet, and all the attendees.

The events that took place last night are yet another example of how violence fueled by dangerous rhetoric has seemingly become normalized. In every instance, political violence is reprehensible and should be condemned without hesitation or qualification. We must take this moment to recommit ourselves to the peaceful exchange of ideas in our discourse. As our great President said, “we must all recommit to resolving our differences peacefully”.

The Washington Democrats want to preach love and tolerance, but rather than condemn the rhetoric that fuels these tragedies, they not only stand by it, they amplify it to a disturbing level - likening the President and his cabinet to Hitler and the Nazis; waging campaigns of fear, division, and confusion; using verbiage like “footsoldiers” and “maximum warfare,” and fueling violent protests across the nation stopping at nothing to regain political power in Washington.

We agree with RNC Chairman Gruters: those who demand peace but obstruct its pursuit are not serious people. It’s time for the country to come together and be serious, for all of our security and our nations future.
Enough is enough.

Now is the time to raise the standard of our public discourse. We must lead responsibly, and recommit to resolving our differences through respect, civility, and the peaceful exchange of ideas.

God Bless President Trump, and God Bless the United States”.

Authorities have identified 31-year-old Cole Allen as the suspect who breached security at the Washington Hilton, wounding a Secret Service agent before being tackled. The FBI has moved to secure the suspect’s home in Torrance, California.

Authorities said the suspect carried multiple weapons into the hotel, underscoring the severity of the breach and leaving agents only seconds to respond and secure critical access points.

That urgency became clear just after 8:30 p.m., when gunfire erupted on the hotel’s terrace level, one floor below the hotel lobby and one floor above the International Ballroom, where guests were already seated for the evening program.

Within seconds, President Donald Trump was rushed from the stage as attendees took cover and security agents moved members of his Cabinet out of the room. By 9:45 p.m., he had left the hotel, arriving back at the White House just before 10 p.m., where he later briefed the press.

President Trump has called for a permanent return to White House-based events,

A photo shared by White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair shows President Donald Trump meeting with senior aides and officials in the Oval Office following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night.

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Shocking Stories Spark Crackdown on Group Homes as Clifton & Sauickie Lead Bipartisan Coalition to Protect Disabled Adults

Central Jersey Newswire — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:33:20 GMT

Manalapan – District 12 Assemblymen Alex Sauickie and Rob Clifton hosted a statewide roundtable discussion in Manalapan yesterday, convening self-advocates, parents, family members, guardians, caregivers, advocacy organizations, providers, and professionals from across New Jersey. Attendees traveled from as far as Camden and Hunterdon Counties to share personal experiences, discuss priorities, and focus on three key pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening protections, safety, and quality of care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in group homes and residential settings.

Asm. Clifton & Sauickie hosting a roundtable. (Credit: District 12 Office)

The event also marked the official launch of the Bipartisan Legislative Disability Advocacy Coalition, a new unified initiative. Earlier this year, the Assemblymen and their staff, in partnership with a small group of advocate family members, developed the concept for this collaborative effort to unite families, advocates, nonprofits, and lawmakers from both parties. The Coalition seeks to build broad bipartisan support among legislators and policymakers to advance reforms that enhance care, safety, and quality of life for some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.

Central to the roundtable were in-depth discussions on the following legislation:

A4008: the Justice for Vulnerable Residents Act: Establishes the Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. This independent center would investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in residential settings, providing stronger oversight and accountability.
A4009: the Fair Funding for Vulnerable Residents Act: Requires certain providers of services to adults or children with intellectual or developmental disabilities to meet a direct care ratio, mandating that at least 70% of state and federal revenue be spent on frontline caregiving to improve staffing levels and care quality.
A2705: Requires certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas upon request and with uniform resident consent. Sponsored by Assemblymen DePhillips, Sauickie, and Freiman, and co-sponsored by Clifton, the bill promotes transparency, deters abuse, and respects privacy.
Additional co-sponsored bills supporting the broader initiative include A4479 (school bus emergencies for students with disabilities), A2259 (allowing family members to stay with special needs patients in the hospital), and A2231 (mortality/abuse prevention advisory board).

“Today’s event was incredibly meaningful,” said Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.

Asm. Alex Sauickie (Left) and Asm. Rob Clifton (Right) (Credit: District 12 Office)

“Seeing self-advocates, families, providers, and professionals come together from every corner of the state to launch the Bipartisan Legislative Disability Advocacy Coalition demonstrates the urgency and unity behind these reforms. For too long, families have shared heartbreaking stories. These bills, developed in partnership with advocates and former Ombudsman Paul Aronsohn, represent real, practical steps to protect our loved ones and restore trust in the system,” Sauickie said.

Assemblyman Rob Clifton added, “[the] strong turnout today—from Camden to Hunterdon—shows that New Jersey must prioritize the safety, dignity, and quality of life for individuals with special needs. Through the Coalition, we are building broad bipartisan support to advance these bills. We have made promising progress, but we need continued advocacy from families, guardians, nonprofits, and legislators to turn these vital reforms into law.”

The Coalition encourages everyone to get involved:

Join the effort: Families, guardians, advocates, nonprofits, and legislators are all welcome.
Speak out: Contact leaders in the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, committee chairs, and your legislators to request support and a vote on these bills.
Contact the Governor: Urge her support for these critical reforms.
Share widely: Spread the word through your networks, the press, and social media to build momentum.

Assemblymen Sauickie and Clifton, along with their staff, expressed deep gratitude to Manalapan Township for providing the Community Center for the event and to all participants for their passion and commitment. The Coalition represents a historic, collaborative push to deliver better outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families across New Jersey.

At the conclusion of the program, it was announced that the Bipartisan Legislative Disability Advocacy Coalition will host an Advocacy Day at the New Jersey State House in Trenton on Monday, May 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m. More details will be released in the coming days.

“This event will bring together advocates to push for bipartisan support and passage of this critical legislation. We look forward to seeing strong bipartisan participation in support of New Jersey’s disability community,” said Sauickie and Clifton.

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NJGOP hits major milestone, strengthens ground game for 2026

Central Jersey Newswire — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:19:22 GMT

COLTS NECK - The New Jersey Republican Party has completed Phase 2 of the Republican National Committee’s GROW Program, “Growing Organizations to Win,” a nationwide effort focused on helping state parties get stronger, more organized, and better prepared to win elections.

Led by Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon, the NJGOP has reached a step known as the “Leader’s Circle,” a title for earned by those who have met a set of standards to improve how it operates and prepares for upcoming elections, including 2026.

Left to Right: RNC State Committeewoman Janice Fields, Rep. Chris Smith, NJGOP Chair Christine Hanlon, RNC Co-Chair K.C. Crosbie, Rep. Jeff Van Drew.

“I am proud to say we have met all of the benchmarks of the challenging RNC GROW program in a very short time period,” said NJGOP Chairwoman Hanlon. “We worked tirelessly to meet the program requirements, which will help us become more effective and organized. We are excited to move on to the next phase of party-building.”

“The NJGOP will continue to work closely with the Republican National Committee to continue our progress as a state party,” continued Hanlon. “We appreciate the support of the RNC and their State Party Strategies team as we focus on rebuilding, election integrity, training and strategy in 2026.”