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Fulfill Announces Pilot Program with Parker Family Health Center

by Explore New JerseyHealth & WellnessTrenton Thunder

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Fulfill, the foodbank for Monmouth and Ocean counties and the Red Bank-based Parker Family Health Center, which provides free health care for uninsured individuals, have expanded their partnership with the launch of the Vital Bites Program, a new pilot program to ensure fasting patients leave Parker Family Health Center with nutritious breakfast or snack items following blood work.

Since the program began at the end of November, 280 patients have left with a healthy snack. The need for the Vital Bites Program was apparent when Center clinicians noted not all patients are able to buy food to refuel after fasting for blood work, which can lead to adverse effects including dizziness and fainting. Center dieticians and clinicians devised a plan for nutritious grab-and-go food items supplied by Fulfill that are appropriate for all patients, including those managing hypertension and diabetes.

Research shows that uninsured individuals are nearly twice as likely to experience food insecurity, and that food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes. The Vital Bites Program and the expanding partnership between Fulfill and Parker Family Health Center address these links by directly working to support patients’ food needs at critical moments. In addition to the Vital Bites Program, Parker hosts Fulfill’s mobile pantry program for monthly food distribution.

“Our partnership with Fulfill exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing the whole health of our community,” said Suzy Dyer, Executive Director, Parker Family Health Center. “Fulfill’s commitment to wellness aligns perfectly with our mission and together, we’re making health care more accessible and compassionate.”

Parker Family Health Center, which for over 24 years has provided free health care to residents in Monmouth County who do not have health insurance or the means to pay for medical care, operates by a network of volunteers and health professionals who offer primary care, 14 specialties and multiple wrap-around services. In Monmouth County, over 31,000 residents are uninsured and more than 41,000 live in poverty.

Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, has recognized the importance of making fresh and nutritious food options available to neighbors facing hunger and its network of nearly 300 food pantry partners. Last year, Fulfill distributed enough food for 14.3 million meals, and more than 60% of the food supplied was nutrient-dense protein, produce and dairy items.

“We know that the most nutritious foods are often the most perishable and expensive – putting them the most out of reach for our neighbors facing hunger. It is our intention that this pilot initiative with Parker Family Health Center will grow as we identify additional ways we can support their patients who are facing food insecurity. Fighting hunger means meeting people where they are and finding creative ways to ensure they have access to nutritious food that fits their needs,” said Triada Stampas, President & CEO of Fulfill. “I look forward to continuing to deepen our partnership with the Parker team.”

Visit https://fulfillnj.org/vitalbitespilotprogram/ for more information.



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Grandview Brokerage joins World Insurance Associates

by BusinessExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessLaw & OrderTrenton Thunder

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World Insurance Associates LLC (“World”), a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage based in Iselin, announced today that it acquired the business of Grandview Brokerage LLC (“Grandview”) of Brooklyn, NY on November 1, 2024. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Grandview provides commercial and personal insurance with niches in the healthcare, real estate, and jewel industry.

“Grandview is committed to safeguarding our customers’ property, home and business,” says Michael Schwimmer, Chief Executive Officer, Grandview. “We provide the right balance of price and protection, security and sensibility, and coverage and clarity. We are known for our creative solutions and problem solvers. As part of World, we can now offer our customers additional products and services to provide a custom designed insurance experience.”

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to Grandview,” says Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of World. “The Grandview team brings years of experience to World, and I know they will continue to be successful.”

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel and Alvarez & Marsal advised World on the transaction. Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP provided legal counsel and Merger & Acquisition Services advised Grandview on the transaction. No other advisors, diligence firms, or legal counsel were disclosed.



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Your heart didn’t stop beating, but this condition adds to your risk – Star News Group

by ArtExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessJersey Shore

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While many think heart failure means the heart stops beating, it actually means the heart is unable to pump blood and oxygen effectively throughout the body.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 6.7 million adults in the United States have heart failure. This number is expected to increase to 8.5 million by 2030. The disease can begin suddenly after an injury, illness, or due to a medical condition that damages the heart. However, most often it develops over time and can be a very debilitating disease if not properly treated. 

Jesus Almendral, M.D., medical director, Advanced Heart Failure Center, Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), shares what heart failure looks like and how it can be treated. There are many symptoms of heart failure – here are some signs to be aware of:

Shortness of breath at rest or during an activity

Fatigue or inability to exert energy

Coughing or wheezing

Swelling and weight gain from fluid buildup in the ankle, lower leg or abdomen

Nausea or a loss of appetite

Difficulty sleeping while on your back

Swelling in the veins of the neck

Needing to urinate often

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. And do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms of heart attack that require immediate emergency care, including; difficulty breathing, chest pain and fainting, sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness. 

The good news is that heart failure doesn’t always get worse and can even be reversed. There are several prescription medicines that your doctor may prescribe to treat heart failure, but there are also several steps you can take now to help fight the disease, including:

  1. Quit Smoking

  2. Reduce sodium (salt) intake

  3. Increase physical activity (especially aerobic exercise)

  4. Find ways to manage your stress

  5. Lose weight

Throughout your treatment, make sure to keep your doctor informed of your progress and how you are feeling. Together you can develop a plan to ensure you have the best plan in place to fight heart disease.

JSUMC opened a new, state-of-the-art cardiovascular services suite in December, tripling patient capacity for emergency and outpatient cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology, and structural heart procedures. Heart screenings are an important part of knowing the risk of heart disease. To schedule a CT Calcium Scoring scan or AngioScreen testing, which provide early detection of heart disease, or for a free physician referral, call 844-HMH-WELL. For more information, visit  www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/heart-care/heart-screening-prevention-diagnostics.  

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2025 Threats in Domestic Extremism and Cybersecurity Revealed by NJOHSP

by BusinessCutting EdgeExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessLaw & OrderTechnology & Tech

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General Business

On Feb 21, 2025

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) has released its 2025 Threat Assessment, providing an overview of the threat landscape in New Jersey for the upcoming year, highlighting emerging trends in domestic extremism and cybersecurity.

The annual assessment, in its 17th year, serves as a critical resource for public- and private-sector partners, aiding them in identifying and mitigating both physical and cyber risks as potential threats continue to evolve.

“In an era where threats are constantly shifting both locally and globally, we must remain vigilant and adaptable,” stated NJOHSP Director Laurie R. Doran. “At NJOHSP, our proactive and dynamic strategy focuses on identifying and mitigating threats before they arise. While we cannot prevent every threat, we remain committed in our efforts to reduce risks and improve security at all levels. The key to our success is through collaboration with our partners and the community; by educating and encouraging the reporting of suspicious activity, we enhance our collective resilience.”

2025 Threat Assessment Key Findings

  • Extremist Threats: Homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) and white racially motivated extremists (WRMEs) continue to rank as a high threat to New Jersey. Despite increasing global attention on foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) such as HAMAS and Hizballah, ISIS remains the primary influence on HVEs in the U.S. HVEs are individuals inspired—as opposed to directed—by FTOs and radicalized in the countries in which they are born, raised, or reside. FTOs—such as al-Qa’ida and its affiliates, ISIS, HAMAS, and Hizballah—are considered low threats to New Jersey due to their inability to successfully direct or conduct an attack on U.S. soil. WRMEs have focused on making threats and planning attacks against perceived enemies. Extremists are expected to increasingly use emerging technology such as generative artificial intelligence to enhance recruitment and radicalization efforts through mass-produced propaganda, deepfakes, and real-time interactions.
  • Cyber Threats: The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell anticipates a rise in the volume and impact of cyberattacks against New Jersey public and private institutions, critical infrastructure assets, and residents. These attacks will be operationally debilitating and costly and will adversely impact public health, the welfare and safety of New Jersey residents, the economy and public interests of the State, and national security.
  • Organized Crime and Transnational Threats: The New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center has identified threats from transnational criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua and South American Theft Groups, which are attracted to New Jersey for criminal activities due to its location near major urban centers. NJOHSP’s counterintelligence efforts have revealed that foreign actors are engaging in transnational repression, unlawfully targeting political opponents, dissidents, journalists, and others in the U.S. to silence and control them.

In conjunction with the assessment’s release, NJOHSP continues to emphasize the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. Anyone who observes threat-related suspicious activity with a nexus to terrorism, targeted violence, or other related activity should immediately report it to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP’s Counter-Threat Watch Unit by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ or emailing [email protected].

For more information and to view the full 2025 Threat Assessment, visit https://www.njohsp.gov/threat-landscape/threat-assessment.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to Three Years in State Prison for Aggravated Assault

by Explore New JerseyHealth & WellnessPolitics

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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) today announced that a former New Jersey Department of Corrections officer was sentenced to a three-year term in state prison after using excessive force and assaulting a resident of the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC)’s Special Treatment Unit (STU) in Woodbridge.

Giuseppe Mandara, 55, of Brick, New Jersey, a 15-year veteran of the DOC at the time of the incident, was sentenced on February 21, 2025, by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour, presiding at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The defendant was ordered to surrender in March to begin serving his sentence.

Mandara pleaded guilty during a hearing on December 3, 2024, to aggravated assault (3rd degree). Following his guilty plea, the court entered an order, consistent with the terms of a plea agreement reached with OPIA, directing that Mandara forfeit his public employment and be forever disqualified from any future public office or employment.

“This needless, unprofessional attack was inconsistent with the years of experience and training that this officer had. In a moment of rage, he lost sight of his responsibilities and his position and set out to simply inflict excessive physical harm,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This type of conduct undermines the good work done every day by other law enforcement officers to uphold the law and ensure public safety across New Jersey. My office is committed to ensuring that people who are in custody are not subjected to abuse, violence, or violations of their rights by those representing the State.”

“Rather than following his training and de-escalating this situation, the defendant enflamed a verbal dispute into a physical confrontation,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA. “He subsequently concocted a false narrative claiming that his actions were self-defense. Unnecessary and excessive uses of force against those in custody will not be taken lightly, and the defendant will now be held to account.”

Based on documents filed and evidence presented to the court in the case and Mandara’s plea allocution, Mandara assaulted the victim on August 23, 2019, inside the sally port area of the West Housing Unit in the STU.

After a verbal disagreement at Mandara’s desk, the victim was walking away to his assigned work location when Mandara continued the dispute, taking off his duty belt and following the victim. That utility belt included sensitive equipment including the keys to the facility and a radio. In arguing for the sentence, the State pointed out that the defendant’s anger had reached the level that “he simply did not care if he had left unoccupied for any resident to retrieve these critical pieces of security equipment.”

According to the investigation, Mandara cursed and threatened the victim while he followed him instead of following his professional training, which required him to deescalate situations. Another corrections officer attempted to block Mandara from proceeding as he stormed after the victim. The defendant engaged in a physical assault, and Mandara and the victim ended up on the ground, where the physical altercation continued. Mandara repeatedly punched the victim while he was on the ground. As part of his plea, Mandara acknowledged his actions were done with the intent to cause significant bodily injury and were excessive and without justification.

Several days after the altercation the victim suffered a fatal stroke. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), a state grand jury received evidence and heard testimony from the state medical examiner about the cause of the stroke and manner of death. The grand jury did not initiate homicide charges in connection with the victim’s death.

Deputy Attorneys General Amy Knutsen and Peter Choy prosecuted the case for OPIA, under the supervision of OPIA Executive Director Skinner.

Defense attorney:

Stuart Alterman, Esq., Evesham, New Jersey

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Governor Murphy Announces Appointments to Economic Council

by BusinessExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessJersey ShorePoliticsTechnology & Tech

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Council Brings Together New Jersey Business Leaders and State Government Leaders

Governor Phil Murphy today announced appointments to the Governor’s Economic Council. The Council will provide a regular forum for the New Jersey business community and state government leaders to discuss, collaborate, and solve issues important to the public and private sectors, with the goal of stimulating economic growth and prosperity.

The Council was created by Executive Order 369, signed into law by Governor Murphy on October 29, 2024.

“Convening this Council is another step in our commitment to building a high-growth economy driven by technology and innovation,” said Governor Murphy. “The council will serve as a forum for continued collaboration between the business community and state government to advance our shared economic goals.”

The newly appointed public Council members bring a diverse range of business, economic, land use, environmental, and trade experience from different geographic regions of the state. Public members appointed to the Council include:

  • Tom Bracken, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

  • Christina Renna, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey

  • Carlos Medina, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

  • John Harmon, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

  • Jeff Kowalkowski, New Jersey Builders Association

  • Chrissy Buteas, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey

  • Dan Kennedy, NAIOP New Jersey

  • Zoe Baldwin, Regional Plan Association

  • Paulina O’Connor, New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance

  • Doug Tomson, New Jersey Association of Realtors

  • Peter Connolly, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program

In accordance with the Order, the members were appointed by Council Co-Chairs Eric Brophy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth, and Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), to join seven members of the Murphy Administration on the Council.

“I am honored to have been chosen as a public appointee to Governor Murphy’s Economic Council. I look forward to working with the Administration and my fellow appointees, a group of dedicated business leaders, in establishing a forum that has the potential of producing the significant economic growth that our state desperately needs,” said Tom Bracken, President and CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “With New Jersey’s impressive demographics, unparalleled assets, and strategic location, our economic upside is significant. The Economic Council will enable the Administration and the business community to have quarterly, constructive dialogue to take advantage of our potential and turn it into much needed growth. I want to thank Governor Murphy for creating the Council, which we hope will be a foundation for economic growth that transcends future administrations. I look forward to contributing to what, I believe, will be a transformative boost to our business community and our future economic prosperity.”

“New Jersey’s business community has many opportunities, as well as challenges, several of which can be overcome by open communication and idea-sharing between government and business,” said Christina M. Renna, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. “Southern New Jersey is unique and has a very difference economic landscape than our northern brethren, which Governor Murphy recognizes and appreciates. I am humbled by the opportunity to assure that the region’s economic opportunities are communicated, our challenges understood, and to give a voice to the South Jersey business community on the Governor’s Economic Council.”

“New Jersey is blessed with a strong Hispanic Gross Domestic Product exceeding 100 billion dollars annually,” said Carlos Medina, President and CEO, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. “I thank Governor Murphy for making sure that his Economic Council reflects the citizens which it represents. I’m excited to see how we can grow the economy for all!”

Within the Council, the Executive Order also establishes a Development Coordination Committee as a subcommittee that will focus on ways to streamline the intergovernmental review of complex development projects and improve communication amongst state, county, and local government financing and permitting entities with respect to projects that require a coordinated review.

The Development Coordination Committee consists of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth; the State Treasurer; the Commissioners of the Departments of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and Transportation; and the Executive Directors of the NJEDA, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Schools Development Authority, and Infrastructure Bank, or their respective designees. The Committee is tasked with reporting to the Council on recommended policies, initiatives, or reforms that may be undertaken to reduce barriers to development or construction project disruptions or delays.

Read Executive Order 369 here.

Click here to view original press release on nj.gov

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TCNJ again wins NJ college vaccine competition

by Central JerseyExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessHigh School Sports

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Posted on

TCNJ nursing students at an on-campus flu shot clinic.
TCNJ nursing students at an on-campus flu shot clinic.

For the seventh consecutive year, The College of New Jersey took home top honors in its category in the annual New Jersey College and University Flu Challenge.

Of the six schools in the state that participated in the medium school category, TCNJ had the highest percentage of students who self-reported they had received the flu vaccine.

“We entered the challenge as a way to increase awareness and encourage more students to get their flu vaccine this year,” said Holly Heller, director of student health services at TCNJ. “The more students that get the vaccine, the fewer cases of the flu we will see on our campus, and that benefits our entire community.”

The New Jersey Department of Health introduced the challenge in 2017 to encourage college students to get vaccinated since college-age students typically have lower rates of immunization, and communal living spaces on campuses can become breeding grounds for the flu.

A total of 15 institutions throughout the state competed in the three size-based categories. 

The Department of Health monitored the number of students from each school who reported they received the flu vaccine and announced the winners on February 13, 2025.

— Luke Sacks

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CMO for Valley Medical Group Named to AMGA Foundation Board of Directors

by BusinessExplore New JerseyHealth & Wellness

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Puneeta Sharma

Healthcare

On Feb 20, 2025

Valley Health System announced that Puneeta Sharma, MD, MHCM, CPE, chief medical officer for Valley Medical Group, has been named to the Board of Directors of American Medical Group Association (AMGA) Foundation.

At Valley Medical Group, Dr. Sharma leads a 500+ multispecialty group of physicians and advanced practice providers and delivers executive oversight for Valley Health System’s Graduate Medical Education programs. Board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Care, Dr. Sharma earned her medical degree from Karnatak Institute of Medical Sciences, completed her residency in Internal Medicine from Lincoln, part of New York City Health and Hospitals, and holds a master’s degree in healthcare management from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Sharma will serve a three-year term on the Board. She is one of four physicians from across the country to be appointed in January and one of 12 overall who serve on the Board. A board member’s job description includes providing mission-based leadership and strategic governance, supporting the work of AMGA Foundation, and developing strong relationships with Foundation staff.

“I am delighted to have been chosen to the AMGA Foundation Board,” says Sharma. “AMGA and its Foundation advocate for systems of care that advance population health, enhance the patient experience, and reduce healthcare costs, all initiatives that Valley believes in and continues to work toward each day.”

AMGA Foundation is AMGA’s philanthropic arm that enables medical groups and other organized systems of care to consistently improve health and healthcare. Valley Medical Group is a member of AMGA and shares its vision to share, analyze and communicate what works best in improving health and healthcare delivery.

AMGA represents more than 400 multispecialty medical groups, integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, and other entities committed to improving health outcomes. More than 175,000 physicians practice in AMGA member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans.

AMGA Foundation’s strategic priorities include improving outcomes and health equity in cardiometabolic disease, integrative behavioral health, women’s and maternal health, and immunizations and prevention.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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When it comes to romantic relationships, two TCNJ researchers offer advice on how to fight smarter, not harder

by ArtCentral JerseyExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessHigh School SportsRecipes

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You emphasized over and over how important the event was to you, and still, your partner showed up late.

“One person might say, ‘What a jerk. I’m really angry,’” says TCNJ Senior Research Scholar Candice Feiring. “Another person might say, ‘I get it, they’ve been super-stressed lately. I know they’ll make it up to me.’”

Romantic partners can interpret the same set of events differently, often leading to escalating conflict. But what if partners used the argument to create more intimacy instead?

For years, Feiring has led studies at the psychology department’s Romantic Relationship Research Lab examining how couples handle conflict and how they might do it better. She recently spearheaded a program called HeartSmarts that uses animations to teach relationship skills to young adults ages 18–25. The next goal is to create an AI-driven smartphone app to help them practice the skills learned in the animation.

Researchers Candice Feiring and Yachao Li
Researchers Candice Feiring and Yachao Li

The tools target the neglected demographic of LGBTQ+ youth, with androgynous and racially indeterminate characters and scenarios specific to queer relationships. In a recent study, Feiring and public health and communications associate professor Yachao Li found that young people responded positively to the animations and were motivated to use the skills in their relationships — which can lead to better relationships and mental and physical health over time.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, their work (and that of other relationship scientists) presents the following advice for managing conflict in romantic relationships:

  1. Pick the right moment. When faced with strong emotions, consider cooling off first. Tell your partner you want to talk but need 30 minutes to collect your thoughts before engaging.
  2. Actively listen. Practice listening to your partner’s concerns without formulating a response in your head right away. Really try to understand what is bothering them — from their viewpoint.
  3. Paraphrase. Let your partner know you heard them by summarizing the key events that are causing the conflict. Doing so puts you on the same page so you can work on moving forward, together.
  4. Empathize. Humans are emotional beings. Along with repeating your partner’s thoughts, use emotion words to show you get how they are feeling.
  5. Don’t apologize too soon. Saying sorry immediately may seem like you are brushing aside a problem. Sit with it to better understand it first.
  6. Pick one problem. Stick to the current event that upset you, rather than bringing up past fights or trying to solve everything at once — a sure recipe for a fight to go off the rails.
  7. Avoid expectations for a quick fix. After listening and understanding each other’s viewpoint, you may or may not have some ideas about next steps. Acknowledge your partner’s willingness to engage and make a date to check in and continue working things out.

As threatening as fights can sometimes seem in a relationship, Feiring says, they can be an opportunity to understand your partner’s needs — and express your own.

“Conflicts are common among people who are close,” she says. “You might actually think of them as a way to foster intimacy.”

— Michael Blanding

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Democratic Guv Candidates Analyze Themselves, Their Party

by ArtExplore New JerseyHealth & WellnessPolitics

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PRINCETON – Republicans remain giddy about their chances in this year’s gubernatorial election.
And so it was fitting Sunday night that four Democratic candidates attending a forum here were each asked why they are the best candidate to keep a “blue” state blue.

(Those attending the forum by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization were Ras Baraka, Steve Fulop, Sean Spiller and Steve Sweeney. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill did not attend, although John McKeon, a state senator from Essex County, spoke on Sherrill’s behalf).

The question near the end of the debate elicited interesting responses from the four candidates on hand – in fact, the best responses of the night.

Baraka, the mayor of Newark, enthusiastically jumped to his feet to boldly proclaim: “I actually believe if I’m not the nominee, we lose.”

Baraka, who did have an encouraging (for him) second place finish (to Sherrill) at the recent Hunterdon County convention, seemed to suggest that the Dems’ gloom and doom is misplaced. After all, New Jersey still has about 900,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.

The challenge, he said, is to meet people where they are – church basements, barber shops, bars – and excite them.

“If you can’t inspire people, they’re going to stay home,” he said.

And you inspire people by letting them know you are fighting for them. As an example, the mayor referred to a press event he hosted last month to condemn an ICE raid at a city fish market.

He said that when “Trump came … Newark responded.”

Sweeney, who long has been a centrist among state Democrats, eschewed fiery rhetoric.

“I’m going to reach out to the people who lost faith in the Democratic Party,” he said.

By that, he meant blue collar workers.

Then, he offered quite the sobering history lesson. He said JFK got just about universal blue collar support, but 20 years later, those workers were Reagan Democrats.

“Now, they’re not Democrats.”

This is a national trend and some of the blue collar migration away from the Democrats has been offset by more party support from suburban professionals.

Still, Sweeney, the one time Senate President and an iron worker by trade, wants to recapture a traditional party constituency.

To do that, he said Dems need to focus on what average folk think is important – that being New Jersey is unaffordable.

Fulop’s answer seemed more in line with Baraka’s.

He said one reason Kamala Harris lost was because “she was all over the map.”

That makes it imperative to have a core message, which Fulop said he has – one centered on party principles.

Referring to his track record as Jersey City mayor, he said the city was outfront in welcoming refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine and in protecting transgender workers. He also took pride in opposing George Norcross – now under indictment – and the recently convicted Bob Menendez.

Fulop also warned that the election is going to be difficult and that if Democrats nominate a “Republican-lite,” they are going to lose.

He also took a swipe at his opponents, saying (without naming names), “You have people here that represent the status quo in every single way.”

Spiller, the president of the state teachers’ union, was sort of in line with Sweeney, saying you have to listen to people.

He added that one can do two things at once – meaning support child care, more housing and good health care – while still fighting the excesses of the Trump Administration.

He said the state has never had an educator as governor and it’s about time that it did.

As for fighting, Spiller said he’s been there, noting how then-Governor Chris Christie tried to demonize the NJEA.

Spiller’s point was that he has experience dealing with bullies.

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