Troodler's Top Ten of 2014

The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of New Jersey, in which I count down the top ten New Jersey political personalities of 2014:

TROODLER’S TOP TEN OF 2014

By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.

‘Tis the season of the “Top Ten” lists. As we bid farewell to 2014 and close the book on yet another year, it is an ideal time to look back at the past twelve months and reflect on all that transpired during that time.

At year’s end we are subjected to an array of “Top Ten” lists. Movies, songs, sports moments, news stories – you name it, there is a list that ranks it.

Lest you think that politics is above the fray, you are mistaken. Politics is by no means immune to these seemingly endless “Top Ten” lists. And so, in that spirit, I present to you my top ten New Jersey political personalities of 2014.

10. Lou Stellato

The Chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Committee had a banner year. After the Bergen County Democrats took a number of electoral and political hits in the past, it appears that the Democratic representatives of the most populous county in New Jersey have completed their comeback. The incredible skill that Stellato displayed in unifying the various factions in the powerful Bergen Democrats is a testament to his inimitable leadership style that has greatly strengthened the party. In addition, he was instrumental in overseeing some big victories in 2014, including the re-election of Bergen County Freeholders David Ganz and Joan Voss, which ensured that the Democrats retained their 5-2 majority on the board, and the election of Jim Tedesco as Bergen County Executive. Stellato is a leader brimming with confidence, who has the ability to motivate his party’s base and generate real results at the polls.

9. Bill Pascrell

Very quietly, but quite convincingly, Bill Pascrell reminded us that he is a political force to be reckoned with. After redistricting led to a bruising primary battle in 2012 against then Representative Steve Rothman, Pascrell emerged victorious on Election 2014 yet again against Dierdre Paul, a former Democrat who ran on the GOP line. By easily winning a 10th term in Congress with an incredible 69% of the vote, the 77-year-old Pascrell once again proved his adeptness at bringing his supporters to the polls when it matters most.

8. Paul Fishman

Although his name may not be familiar to most New Jersey residents, Paul Fishman has the ability to drastically alter the Garden State’s political landscape in a manner that could almost singlehandedly shatter the political status quo. As the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Fishman is the prosecutor that is investigating the Bridgegate scandal, which came to light last year. In the event that Fishman concludes that Governor Christie and/or his administration violated the law in any way relative to the lane closures in Fort Lee, his office could unveil indictments that would presumably bring Christie’s political career to a screeching halt.

7. Scott Garrett

Was 2014 going to be the year that the Democrats finally defeat Scott Garrett? With a formidable and charismatic challenger in political newcomer Roy Cho, Democrats thought that they found the key to besting Garrett this past year. However, with Election Day looming on the horizon and his challenger closing in, Garrett went on the offensive and was successful in fending off an extremely spirited challenge from the seemingly indefatigable Cho. When the dust settled, Garrett had scored an impressive 13-point victory.

6. Loretta Weinberg

As the Senate Majority Leader, Loretta Weinberg wields a great degree of political power. Yet, in 2014 she flexed her political muscles and heightened her profile in an extraordinary way. Weinberg, who commands a tremendous amount of respect from the New Jersey political establishment, was one of the first to shine a spotlight on the lane closures and played a central role in putting the Bridgegate controversy on the front burner. As the co-chair of the joint legislative committee investigating Bridgegate, Weinberg has endeavored to uncover the truth behind the “traffic problems in Fort Lee,” and is in a unique position to continue digging deeper into what actually transpired.

5. Robert Menendez

Although he was not on the ballot in 2014, Senator Robert Menendez had a memorable and impactful year. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez was an authoritative voice on a wide variety of foreign policy issues. From his strong and outspoken position on curtailing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and imposing stronger sanctions, to his emergence as a staunch and strident defender of the State of Israel, Menendez made news throughout 2014 and demonstrated that he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right.

4. Steven Fulop

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is making his presence known well beyond Hudson County. The young and energetic Mayor of New Jersey’s second-largest city is quietly positioning himself for a likely run for Governor in 2017 and is generating a lot of headlines along the way. His strong support for the newly elected Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in 2014 further bolstered his position as a rising star in New Jersey politics. The former Goldman Sachs employee who enlisted in the Marines after 9/11 is clearly not one who is going to shy away from a fight. With his yeshiva background (he attended the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison and the Solomon Schechter School of Union and Essex) and grandparents who were subjected to the horrors of the Holocaust, Fulop has deep roots in the Jewish community and a keen understanding of the issues that our community faces. Fulop is a talented politician whose ambition may very well catapult him to great heights.

3. Jim Tedesco

Jim Tedesco’s big win over the incumbent Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan in November was one of the bright spots for New Jersey Democrats. In defeating Donovan, who had not suffered a countywide electoral defeat in a quarter-century, Tedesco singlehandedly ushered in a new era for Bergen County Democrats. The former Mayor of Paramus and Bergen County Freeholder essentially shocked the political establishment with his victory and galvanized his party’s faithful, who rewarded him by showing up to the polls on Election Day.

2. Chris Christie

2014 came and went, and Chris Christie is still standing. When the news of Bridgegate broke last year, people all but wrote off Governor Christie. He was done, they said. There is no way that he is going to survive this scandal, they declared. Not only is Christie still here, but he is somehow in the mix for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Despite all of the controversy that seems to follow him at every turn and the fiscal challenges that plague his state, Chris Christie is still laying the groundwork for a presidential run, and he is building a national network that would sustain such a campaign. As Chair of the Republican Governors Association, Christie had an extraordinarily successful year, both from a fundraising perspective and from a political standpoint. The fact that he has been able to successfully navigate a potentially catastrophic scandal thus far is a testament to Christie’s resiliency. Bridgegate (or some other controversy) may ultimately bring him down, but for now, Chris Christie is still standing tall.

1. Cory Booker

After winning a special election in 2013 to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, Cory Booker was once again on the ballot in 2014 as he sought to win a full term. With a big win over Republican Jeff Bell on Election Day, New Jersey’s junior Senator further reinforced the belief of those who feel that the sky is the limit for this one-of-a-kind political talent. With his charismatic and gregarious nature, incredible fundraising prowess, unique bipartisan approach, and larger-than-life persona, Cory Booker is a political force to be reckoned with. Booker’s command of the issues and ability to connect with his constituents have propelled him to great heights, and it would probably not surprise anyone to see his name on the ballot for higher office in the future. With a newly-won 6-year term ahead of him, expect to see Cory Booker continue to cement his position as one of the more high-profile members of the Senate.

N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler