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.”

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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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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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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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.”

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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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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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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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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“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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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.”

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.

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“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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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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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,

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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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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.

“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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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.

“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.”

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About the NJGOP
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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“The Working Families Tax Cuts is providing sorely-needed tax relief to New Jersey families,” said New Jersey Republican Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon. “Thanks to President Trump and our New Jersey Republican Congressmen Tom Kean, Jr., Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, New Jerseyans are keeping more of their hard-earned money.”

New Jersey residents have also been positively impacted by the 300% cap increase on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, which has brought real relief for taxpayers from skyrocketing state property taxes during nearly a decade of Democratic control.

The child tax credit was also raised based on rising inflation so that it keeps pace with costs. Republicans have also made raising a family more affordable by establishing new investment accounts for children and expanding 529 education savings accounts.

“This landmark legislation not only prevented looming tax hikes, but it also provided major tax relief, especially for working families in New Jersey,” Hanlon added. “Unfortunately, Democrats in Trenton are going in the wrong direction when it comes to taxes, but they should take note. With the right leadership, it is possible to provide tax relief!”

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About the NJGOP
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.

“Like many couples, Michael and I divorced over 20 years ago, and of course, during that process we had disagreements, as many couples do, but never physical. Michael was a good father to our child, and we remain friends to this day.”

It is worth noting that Mr. McGuire is a current member of the Navy reserve and still collects his pension from the NYPD, both of which would not occur had there been a domestic abuse issue. Having navigated single fatherhood during a time where most employers were not amenable to that life adjustment, Mr. McGuire managed to raise a son, remarry, and build a family and family law practice in Freehold. He now helps other couples navigate complex issues that once beleaguered him, turning struggle into strength.

Again, we don’t claim to be perfect and sometimes we get things wrong. Our Founder’s conversation with Mr. McGuire ended amicably and he wished Mr. McGuire well on his campaign.

CJN looks forward to bringing you more headlines as the midterms unfold, but with a much more cautious eye.

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Ferrante brings vast experience in New Jersey politics. His previous work includes serving as the Political Director for Jack Ciattarelli’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign, Campaign Manager for Nick De Gregorio for Congress, and a member of the Ciattarelli for Governor campaign team in both 2017 and 2021. Most significantly, Ferrante served as Political Director for the NJGOP from 2022 to 2023.

“I am very excited to be bringing on Luke Ferrante to serve as the Executive Director of the NJGOP,” said Chairwoman Hanlon. “Through his political work across the State of New Jersey, Luke has earned the respect and trust of party leaders and grass-roots activists alike.”

”He will be a great asset as we move our party forward,” Hanlon added.

“It is an honor to be back at the NJGOP in the role of Executive Director under Chairwoman Hanlon’s leadership,” said Ferrante. “With midterms less than 10 months away, I am eager to get work alongside her to make our party stronger and work towards a better New Jersey.”

About the NJGOP: 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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“Despite Governor Murphy’s statements to the contrary, New Jersey is neither stronger nor fairer today than it was when he took office. Our state’s residents are certainly not better off now than they were eight years ago,” said Christine Giordano Hanlon, Chairwoman of the New Jersey Republican Party.

Republicans say that an affordability crisis, soaring taxes and skyrocketing energy costs are contributing to record-level outmigration. Murphy’s administration is also marked by the implementation of a school funding formula that led to drastic cuts to many public school districts, in some cases resulting in school closures throughout the state while increasing local property taxes.

“Under this administration, policies supported by Democrats in Trenton have made New Jersey less affordable for our residents,” Chairwoman Hanlon said.

“The Governor claims New Jersey is stronger and fairer, but the question remains: for whom?,” said New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco. “The state budget has grown by $22 billion. Property taxes are up by more than $10,000 on average. Unemployment taxes are up. Payroll taxes are increasing, and more and more New Jerseyans are living paycheck to paycheck. Homelessness is rising, affordability is slipping further out of reach, and these should be flashing warning signs for anyone paying attention.”

“Instead, in the final hours of this administration, the Governor and legislative Democrats pushed through another $128 million in new spending on top of a budget that already carries a $4 billion structural deficit. The impacts of this reckless spending will not disappear; it will land squarely on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers,” said Senator Bucco.

Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio pushed back on what Murphy portrayed as eight years of success.

“The reality is, if you want to lay out a legacy, people are going to remember him a lot differently than he sees it,” Assemblyman DiMaio said

“Going forward, Republicans will continue fighting to restore the American dream for all New Jerseyans and make our state a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Chairwoman Hanlon, who took the helm of the NJGOP earlier this month with a plan to strengthen and expand the party.

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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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In her remarks, Hanlon emphasized restoring confidence in and among republicans across the state. She pledged to be a “year round chair” and will not take a salary or stipend while at the helm of the party. The NJGOP under Hanlon’s tenure will focus on creating a cohesive apparatus for victory down the ballot and across the state, as well as establishing coalitions and an election integrity task force to take on the eroded trust in the electoral process.

”New Jersey is not a one size fits all state,” Hanlon said as she described what she envisioned as a “big tent” party that works for unity in mission and purpose. “We can no longer fight inward and must begin to fight outward,” she remarked.

Hanlon’s record includes building a strong GOP organization in Monmouth County, expanding Republican voter registration, and supporting victories up and down the ballot through grassroots organizing and candidate support. As county clerk, Hanlon championed modernization efforts, voter-access initiatives, and election integrity programs proving effective, results-oriented leadership.

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The column, titled “Déjà vu? Would Becchi’s NJGOP make Spadea’s mistakes?”, argues that Spadea’s costly primary bid collapsed not for lack of money, but because too much of it flowed to consultants and too little toward persuading voters. The author places particular blame on Ocean County GOP power broker and tax felon George Gilmore and a network of political operatives tied to the campaign.

The column echoes a view held by some Spadea supporters who believe the campaign prioritized fundraising and consultant compensation over effective voter outreach. According to the column, the result was an expensive effort that failed to convert spending into electoral success. Rubashov also notes long-standing financial and organizational ties between Becchi’s Jersey 1st organization and Spadea-aligned entities such as the Common Sense Club and Elect Common Sense PAC—relationships that predate Spadea’s formal entry into the race.

The column suggests that some of the same consultants involved in Spadea’s campaign are now positioned to regain influence through a Becchi-led state party, prompting concerns among critics about whether the NJGOP could repeat past strategic missteps.

The piece also revisits national scrutiny of Spadea’s fundraising tactics following a February 2025 report by Politico, which documented repeated small-dollar donations from elderly, out-of-state contributors—some of whom said they were unaware they were giving to a New Jersey gubernatorial candidate. While the column acknowledges that such tactics are not unique to campaigns overall, it argues the controversy underscored deeper issues about campaign priorities.

NJGOP state committee members will meet on January 5th, 2026 to elect the new Chair. Lonegan, former Bogota mayor and a conservative activist, and Jersey1st’s Becchi, (the latter of which lost to then-Rep. Mikie Sherrill in 2020), are being challenged by Monmouth County Clerk and GOP co-chair Christine Giordano Hanlon.

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