Dustin Racioppi
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New Jersey editor for POLITICO. Lived under water @usnavy. DMs open. dracioppi@politico.com.
Articles by Dustin Racioppi
Mikie Sherrill wants to move on
TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill hasn't had many plans outside the Garden State the last few weeks. An investigation into her lieutenant governor's behavior grounded her midterm campaigning for like-minded Democrats in other states, and prompted scrutiny of the leadership style she so frequently espoused as a candidate and in her first months in office. But now that she's forced the resignation of Lt. Gov.
Here comes the flood
Good Monday morning! With Labor Day behind us, New Jersey's House races will now dominate the political campaign focus. And none will dominate more than the 7th Congressional District, where Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. is trying to hold his seat against Democrat Rebecca Bennett. The public is now seeing ads featuring Bennett flexing her Navy helicopter background, a la Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and Kean enlisting his father, the popular former Gov. Tom Kean Sr., to appeal to voters.
Drip, drip, drip
It sure seems like the Dale Caldwell story will be told through the press until it isn't. And when exactly that may be is one of the many questions surrounding the investigation into the alleged improper behavior of the lieutenant governor. From the moment the story broke a week ago, each new detail has emerged through news reports.
'Totally insane': Mikie Sherrill's silence on lieutenant governor probe rattles New Jersey Democrats
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill quickly went public this summer when faced with the revelation that thousands of noncitizens had been added to the state's voting rolls several years ago. Now, with her administration months into an internal investigation into her handpicked lieutenant governor, she's taking a much different approach: virtual silence — in public and, more strikingly, with Democratic leaders she needs in her corner.
A rising Democratic star has a lieutenant governor problem. She isn't talking about it. Original
Gov. Mikie Sherrill moved quickly and publicly on a voter-roll scandal this summer. On the monthslong probe of Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, she has said almost nothing — to the public or her fellow Democrats. New Jersey Democratic Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell celebrate during an election night party in East Brunswick, New Jersey, on Nov. 4, 2025. | Matt Rourke/AP 09/08/2026 06:59 PM EDT New Jersey Gov.
The Caldwell problem
Good Tuesday morning! Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill has a massive problem on her hands. Just as traffic was piling up on the Garden State Parkway for the final summer weekend, news broke that her administration is reportedly investigating Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell for allegedly inappropriate behavior with women and potential ethics violations involving state jobs. Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino is said to be leading the inquiry.
Legal troubles pile up for Seton Hall as it tries to move on from abuse scandal
Seton Hall University's leadership tried to move on from the negative attention on its new president after an independent investigation released in July concluded he did nothing wrong in responding to a sexual abuse allegation when he held a prior position. But in a matter of days last week, things got worse for the esteemed Catholic school.
Top New Jersey lawmaker asks state to investigate Seton Hall University over clergy abuse
A senior New Jersey lawmaker has asked the state attorney general to investigate Seton Hall University over its handling of sexual harassment and abuse allegations, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO. The request from Sen.
Seton Hall University president cleared in clergy abuse investigation
Investigators hired by one of the country's highest-ranking cardinals found that the new president of Seton Hall University did nothing wrong in responding to a sexual abuse allegation more than a decade ago. A report released Wednesday by the law firm Ropes & Gray also concluded that findings from a previous investigation into clergy abuse inaccurately said Monsignor Joseph Reilly should have been removed from leadership and governing boards at the North Jersey-based university.
McIver in court
Good Thursday morning! Rep. LaMonica McIver's (D-N.J.) legal troubles are in the hands of three federal judges. And yesterday, we got our first look into how they're thinking about the charges the North Jersey congresswoman faces. But after 90 minutes of oral arguments between attorneys for the Department of Justice and McIver, it's hard to determine which way the three judges will rule.
Gottheimer knocks Mamdani
Good Tuesday morning! Rep. Josh Gottheimer is picking another fight across the Hudson River.
Kean's comeback
It looks like we'll soon get clarity on what's been keeping Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) hidden from public view. A spokesperson said the two-term member of Congress, who represents one of the country's most competitive districts in the midterms, plans to return to Capitol Hill on June 30 Kean “plans to be fully transparent regarding the nature of his health issue, and you should expect to hear from him in person” that day, said spokesperson Harrison Neely.
Seton Hall pursues former president over alleged leak tied to abuse investigation Original
It is the latest turn in a kind of cat-and-mouse game that’s unfolded for roughly 18 months amid the abuse scandal at the North Jersey-based university: Subpoenas issued, taunting emails and claims of reputational damage over the whole thing.
What’s going on with that Seton Hall investigation?
Good Friday morning! It’s been nearly 14 months since Cardinal Joseph Tobin announced a “comprehensive third-party review” of a 2019 investigation into sexual abuse at Seton Hall University that implicated its new president. It’s essentially an investigation of an investigation. But this one is taking longer than the original. The Archdiocese of Newark, to which Seton Hall belongs and which Tobin oversees, won’t say what’s going on. It all bothers Sen.
Boondoggle
Good Tuesday morning! The suddenly imperiled Gateway tunnel project took a positive turn late last week when it got $30 million from the federal government, with another $205 million expected soon so construction can resume. But President Donald Trump on Monday threw more doubt on the viability of building new rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River and suggested he will continue to try to block it.
Richard Codey, ex-governor who was New Jersey's longest-serving lawmaker, dies at 79 Original
A colorful fixture of New Jersey politics who coached youth basketball in his free time and was a leading advocate for mental health awareness and funding, Codey largely withdrew from public life after retiring from the state Senate in January 2024 after half a century in the Legislature. In that 50 years, Codey championed a statewide ban on indoor smoking, created the first inspector general position and led a policy of steroid testing in school sports.
Seton Hall abuse investigation stalls after ex-president’s aborted interview Original
The aborted interview is more than just discord between Nyre and his former employer. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who sits on Seton Hall’s governing boards, promised the school’s “full cooperation” and a “transparent review of the facts” when he hired the law firm that sought to interview Nyre.
Seton Hall must turn over clergy abuse documents, judge says Original
Benjamin’s latest order forces Seton Hall to share with those lawyers damning documents that named about a dozen priests, including Reilly, though he was not accused of abuse. The 2019 report showed that Reilly knew of sexual abuse claims, did not properly report them and was recommended to step down from boards and his leadership position at the time as a seminary leader.
Trump rips New Jersey Democrat Mikie Sherrill as ‘fake and corrupt’ with ‘unusual name’
President Donald Trump urged New Jersey voters Friday night to reject Democrat Mikie Sherrill in next month's gubernatorial election, calling her a "fake and corrupt radical left Democrat" who would send the state into a "death spiral." Trump pushed for the Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, during a telerally hours before he was set to depart for potentially consequential trip to Asia. He also said that after the trip he'll "be out campaigning for Jack," though he didn't say in what capacity.
The Sherrill files
Good Monday morning! It’s getting testy in the governor’s race. Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign threatened Friday to “pursue defamation claims” against Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill and her allies after she accused his campaign of obtaining improperly redacted Navy records (more on that from Madison Fernandez below). The Sherrill campaign didn’t seem deterred.
A decade in New Jersey
Good Thursday morning! It’s a milestone day here at POLITICO — the 10th anniversary of New Jersey Playbook. When it officially launched on July 24, 2015, Chris Christie was preparing to run for president, a relative unknown named Phil Murphy was laying the groundwork for governor and — you won’t believe this — New Jersey Transit riders had been getting stranded and delayed for days. Playbook has evolved, but it has had one constant.
Mapping things out
Good Monday morning! Is New Jersey’s House map going to be redrawn sooner than we think? A CNN report on Sunday morning suggests it is, but it’s hard to see how. The report said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his team are “privately shaping a legally risky — and likely expensive — strategy” to redraw House maps in Democratic-controlled states, including New Jersey. This is apparently in response to, what else, Donald Trump.
A choose-your-fighter breakdown of the NJ governor race
This story includes major Democratic and Republican candidates for New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election, with inclusion based on endorsements, fundraising, electoral or political history, and polling. Donation numbers are based on campaign finance reports filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission and ELEC announcements of public matching fund amounts. Time in politics is based on the total number of years a candidate has spent in elected office.
Seton Hall blocks key witness in clergy abuse probe ordered by cardinal
Now Tobin’s own archdiocese is trying to regain control. The moves expose a conflict at the highest levels of Catholic education — pitting Tobin against the university he oversees — and threatens to unravel his public promises of transparency with the school’s “full cooperation.” Joseph Nyre, the university’s former president, had been scheduled to speak with investigators until Seton Hall intervened.
Seton Hall defies cardinal’s order in sexual abuse investigation
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of New Jersey left for Vatican City earlier this month to help select the next pope — a rare moment on the global stage for one of the most powerful Catholic leaders in the United States. Back home, Seton Hall University — the oldest Catholic diocesan university in America, where Tobin personally oversees both governing boards — was preparing to defy him.
Democrats fill the town hall void
New Jersey Democrats hit the town hall circuit this weekend to warn of potential cuts out of Washington and constitutional threats under the Trump administration. That would not normally be newsworthy. But it was actually quite unusual. That’s because some federal lawmakers went into districts represented by Republicans — and found large and engaged audiences.
Seton Hall failed to disclose key report to lawyers in Catholic abuse lawsuit
Yet even Benjamin said she was stunned to learn from reporting in POLITICO about the existence of the report, which includes accusations that Monsignor Joseph Reilly, now Seton Hall’s president, failed to properly report abuse claims. Seton Hall and the archdiocese disclosed other materials related to abuse, but not the report. “This report is from 2019.
Secret Seton Hall report implicating new president could become public
Seton Hall University has ignored calls by New Jersey’s governor, three state lawmakers and a member of Congress to release a report critical of its new president’s failure to report allegations in a major sexual abuse scandal more than five years ago. Now it could be a judge who forces the storied Catholic university’s hand.
New Jersey church leader promises transparency — again — in the face of crisis Original
Cardinal Joseph Tobin is a powerful figure who long ago pledged “a new level of transparency” on abuse. Now he’s making the same promises amid a new scandal. Cardinal Joseph Tobin is once again promising transparency in the face of a public relations crisis. | Julio Cortez/AP Six years ago, New Jersey’s highest-ranking Catholic Church leader promised “a new level of transparency” following one of the worst abuse scandals in the church’s history.
Cardinal orders review of abuse investigation tied to Seton Hall president Original
The inquiry follows POLITICO reporting that the Catholic school’s new president was named, but not accused, in a sexual abuse investigation in 2019.
Seton Hall president was told he violated Title IX policies on sexual abuse Original
A school disciplinary task force detailed investigators’ findings and recommendations in a 2019 letter to Joseph Reilly, saying he should no longer hold a leadership role. Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly is Seton Hall University president.
Trump’s drone dud
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House today. | Yuri Gripas/ABACA UNEXPLAINED MYSTERIES — In nearly two weeks since reclaiming the Oval Office, President Donald Trump has done just about everything to reverse course from Joe Biden — even drone messaging.
Trump's busy first week
Good Monday morning! It’s been just a week since Donald Trump returned as president, and already he’s dominating New Jersey politics. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid Thursday on a business in Newark — the state’s largest city, whose Democratic mayor, Ras Baraka, is running for governor — drew widespread condemnation from Democrats. Rep. LaMonica McIver called the operation “despicable,” while Baraka said during a marathon news conference Friday that he was “appalled.” Gov.
Seton Hall renews support for school president in wake of POLITICO report
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Seton Hall renews support for school president in wake of POLITICO report Original
Joseph Reilly was highlighted in an internal investigation on abuse — and then named to lead the university. Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly is Seton Hall University president. | Seton Hall University via PRWeb Seton Hall University is vigorously defending its new president after POLITICO reported he was implicated in a secret report on sexual abuse. The findings about Monsignor Joseph Reilly prompted calls for his resignation in recent weeks from state lawmakers, and New Jersey Gov.
Governor ‘deeply concerned’ about report Seton Hall president knew of abuse claims Original
Phil Murphy is the highest-ranking state official seeking answers at the New Jersey university. The school’s Board of Regents last year unanimously approved Monsignor Joseph Reilly to lead the Catholic university, which is located in North Jersey. | Seton Hall University via PRWeb New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is adding his voice to the rising chorus of political leaders who want transparency from Seton Hall University about its new president being named in a secret report on sexual abuse.
Target Zero
Good Tuesday morning! The Murphy administration on Monday set the ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in New Jersey by 2040. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill creating the Target Zero Commission, a 13-member group that will “focus on data-driven strategies that prioritize roadway design, speed management, and safety for all road users.” It has a year to propose an action plan.
Two scandals, two different responses
Good Monday morning! Just a day after the Asbury Park Press reported that the new CEO of the State Commission of Investigation held full-time jobs in two states, the watchdog agency’s leader resigned. State lawmakers had called for Tiffany Williams Brewer to step down from the SCI, saying her dual residency and employment here and in Maryland did not fully serve the taxpayers of New Jersey.
Seton Hall president urged to resign after report he knew of sex abuse claims Original
“I simply have no tolerance for the normalization of sexual assault or support for those who cover up acts of predators. I have college-aged kids; this reporting is deeply disturbing to me,” said Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, whose district includes South Orange, where Seton Hall is located. She is also running for governor of New Jersey.
He knew of sex abuse allegations on campus. Now he’s university president. Original
Monsignor Joseph Reilly was elevated to the top position at Seton Hall just three years after stepping back from leadership. Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly is Seton Hall University President. | Seton Hall University via PRWeb SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey — Monsignor Joseph Reilly started as a student at Seton Hall University 45 years ago and rose the ranks of the prestigious Catholic institution, becoming one of its most influential figures. Then he left his position in 2022, with little fanfare.
Hudson head-scratcher
Good Friday morning! The background maneuvering in the 2025 governor’s race has apparently taken a bizarre turn in Hudson County. Associates of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop have in recent weeks made entreaties to the county’s most influential figures after the Hudson County Democratic Organization started wavering on who to support, two people familiar with discussions told POLITICO. They approached party chair Craig Guy and state Sen.
Where’s the Senate on a new ballot design?
Good Wednesday morning!A state Assembly panel this week wrapped up public hearings on a new ballot design to replace the state’s “county line” that’s given local party leaders unique influence.But what about the Senate?After all, Senate President Nick Scutari signed onto a joint statement with legislative leaders in March saying they would work “to ensure public trust in a transparent and democratic process” to consider any changes.
Where’s the Senate on a new ballot design?
Good Wednesday morning! A state Assembly panel this week wrapped up public hearings on a new ballot design to replace the state’s “county line” that’s given local party leaders unique influence. But what about the Senate? After all, Senate President Nick Scutari signed onto a joint statement with legislative leaders in March saying they would work “to ensure public trust in a transparent and democratic process” to consider any changes.
The long road to clemency under Murphy
Good Monday morning! Last week for Thanksgiving, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way pardoned a pair of boozy birds named Prosecco and Pinot Noir in a cute gesture emulating the annual White House tradition. While your usual Playbook author jokingly observed that it’s questionable whether the lieutenant governor has that authority, I couldn’t help noticing that the actual governor has not exercised his clemency powers yet.
Trump nominates Charles Kushner, who he pardoned in 2020, as US Ambassador to France
WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump selected Charles Kushner, who Trump pardoned during his first term, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to France on Saturday. Charles Kushner is the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
Trump nominates Charles Kushner, who he pardoned in 2020, as US Ambassador to France
WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump selected Charles Kushner, who Trump pardoned during his first term, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to France on Saturday. Charles Kushner is the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
Bill Pascrell, fiery New Jersey Rep., dies at 87
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Bill Pascrell, fiery New Jersey Rep., dies at 87
Dustin Racioppi and Matt Friedman August 21, 2024 at 12:14 PM·1 min read New Jersey Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., the second-oldest member of the House who brought an in-your-face Jersey attitude to the chamber, died Wednesday at age 87. “It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” Pascrell’s family said in a statement posted on social media.
Menendez gives 1-month notice
Good Wednesday morning! Bob Menendez’s 50-year reign in New Jersey politics is officially coming to an end. The senator who was just convicted on 16 corruption charges said in a letter Tuesday he’ll resign from the Senate next month. We’ve written plenty about his long career and his downfall, so let’s focus on what happens next. Gov. Phil Murphy has a little less than a month to name a replacement. Lots of Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker, want Democratic nominee Andy Kim to fill the seat.
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