Editor's blog

Alfred Doblin, the editorial page editor and columnist for The Record, was offended by former U.S. Sen. Bob Torricelli's PolitickerNJ.com Op-Ed that sharply criticized his newspaper.

"Being lectured on meanness by the likes of Bob Torricelli is akin to Amy Winehouse leading a rehab retreat for substance abusers," Doblin wrote.  CLICK HERE TO READ DOBLIN'S COLUMN

Congratulations to Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and her husband, Steve Chance, on the birth of their son. Harrison Frederick Chance was born at 2:18 AM this morning (9 lbs., 6 oz., 21 inches long).

Lawyers for former Newark Mayor Sharpe James and co-defendant Tamika Riley will appear in federal court tomorrow seeking to vacate the jury’s conviction on federal corruption charges.  Motions like this are viewed as fairly common, and federal prosecutors believe they lack merit.

Former Assemblyman Arthur Albohn, a Morris County Republican who spent sixteen years in the Legislature, died on Sunday.  He was 86.
Albohn was elected to the State Assembly in 1979, defeating Democratic incumbent Rosemarie Totaro in the general election.  He went on to win seven more terms.  Albohn began his political career when he won   seat on the Hanover Township Committee in 1955.  He served as mayor five times during his 26-year career in local government. 

"Art Albohn was a model legislator and leading member of the Republican caucus during the 1980s and 1990s who always asked the questions that needed to be asked," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, his former legislative aide.  "He served New Jersey and his constituents with integrity and rigor and was one of the most dedicated public officials I have ever known."

Several new mayors will take office today after winning the May 13 non-partisan municipal elections, including Wilda Diaz in Perth Amboy, Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. in Orange, Jerry Fried in Montclair, Robert Romano in Vineland, and Edward Mahaney in Cape May City.

This week's Winners & Losers: CLICK HERE

The POLITICKERNJ.COM POWER LIST 2008 identifies New Jersey’s 100 most politically influential personalities. In developing our list, we eliminated anyone who currently holds elected office, as well as the Judiciary. We also eliminated the living former Governors, United States Senators, and Bill Gormley: we believe that all former statewide officeholders remain highly influential and well respected. This is an Insiders List. We looked at policy makers, party leaders, fundraisers, lobbyists, labor unions, businesses, and associations and have assembled the ultimate list of New Jerseyans with clout, with an impact on politics and government in the Garden State.

We selected names based on a fairly unscientific curve: we allocated spaces on this list for a dozen different categories within the New Jersey political community -- so #11 on the list of important fundraisers or donors doesn't make the list, but the most influential congressional staffer does. Just remember that our list is purely subjective.

There are no right or wrong answers, and this list is forever changing. Watch for the Power List to be updated frequently. As always, we welcome your comments on this list or anything else on the PolitickerNJ.com website.

Click here to view the PolitickerNJ.com Power List

Click here to download a printable version

PolitickerNJ.com's NJ Natural Gas Power List 2008 of New Jersey’s 100 most politically influential personalities will be released at noon today.  Stay tuned.

Former Rep. Bob RoeThe State Senate is expected to consider a bill today that repeals the designation of Route 23 as Robert A. Roe Highway – pulling back their tribute to former Congressman Robert Roe after a family injured in an accident when Roe was driving drunk complained. The bill passed in the Assembly 76-2; among the supporters of removing Roe’s name was Assemblyman Scott Rumana, the Mayor of Wayne and a longtime Roe ally.