5 NJ Political Dramas That Could Impact You In 2023

NEW JERSEY — The upcoming year already looks like a consequential one in New Jersey politics — and more importantly, the way the political sphere impacts residents.

Some of those impacts are already evident. Auto-insurance rates for many residents will increase, taxpayers will receive their first checks from the ANCHOR program, and a legal battle between the state and the NRA will take hold.

Then there are the unknowns. How will the State Legislature elections take shape? Will the public learn anything more about the most recent federal investigation involving Sen. Bob Menendez? Will the speculation that Gov. Phil Murphy has his eyes on higher office become more than speculation? While some of these uncertainties won't immediately impact New Jerseyans, they can set major changes into motion for the future.

Here are five ways, for better or worse, that New Jersey politics could impact state residents in 2023.

Court Battle With NRA

As expected, the state's new law that limits concealed carry in certain locations already has a court challenge. The measure prohibits the possession of firearms in certain locations, including high-density facilities (arenas, restaurants, public-transit hubs), places with vulnerable populations (schools, health care facilities) and areas with functions related to government or First Amendment activity (polling places, government buildings, protests).

Murphy signed the legislation into law Dec. 22. Shortly after, the NRA filed a lawsuit challenging the regulations.

Democrats in New Jersey enacted new firearm restrictions in response to a June ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court's decision in the case of N.Y. State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen overturned New Jersey's requirement that applicants for concealed-carry permits demonstrate a justifiable safety need.

While Democratic leaders have said the law falls in line with the Second Amendment, the NRA disagrees. The federal lawsuit's path will determine whether the new law stands.

Pricier Auto Insurance For Many

A controversial state law raising insurance costs for up to 1.2 million drivers goes into effect on New Year's Day. Impacted drivers can expect to pay about $125 more per vehicle each year, according to New Jersey Advance Media.

The policy, which Murphy signed into law in August, hikes the minimum amount of liability coverage from $15,000 to $25,000 for 2023, before another increase to $35,000 in 2026.

ANCHOR Takes Hold

Qualifying taxpayers can expect their first payment from New Jersey's new property tax rebate: the ANCHOR (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) program.

The ANCHOR program replaces New Jersey's Homestead Rebate as the state's primary program for property tax relief. About 2 million residents — including, for the first time, some renters — qualify for relief.

The deadline for filing is Jan. 31. State officials plan to begin paying ANCHOR benefits in late spring, sending rebates no later than May. Read more: $2B Tax Rebate Deadline Changes, More Qualify For NJ's ANCHOR Program

State Legislature Elections

Election season never ends in New Jersey. Fresh off the midterm elections, political planning is well underway for the 2023 state elections in which every State Senate and Assembly seat is up for grabs.

The Democratic Party has exited each state-election cycle with majorities in both chambers since 2003. And the party has held a political "trifecta" since Murphy took office in January 2018.

State Republicans felt optimistic after the 2019 state elections, with GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli nearly staging an upset over Murphy. But with the Democratic Party exceeding expectations around the country in the midterms, it's uncertain how much Republican momentum may carry into the upcoming year.

Where Will Murphy, Menendez End Up?

The next year could become monumental for Murphy and Menendez, for completely different reasons.

Murphy publicly states that he doesn't plan on running for president in 2024. But some of his political circle's actions have prompted outside speculation that he's looking toward higher office, including a $2 million ad blitz touting his agenda earlier this year. Read more: Gov. Murphy For President? Signs Point To Potential Future Run

President Joe Biden says he'll announce in early 2023 whether he'll run for re-election. If he runs, that's more likely to keep the presidential ambitions of other Democratic leaders on hold.

But if the opportunity arises for Murphy in 2024, that could significantly cut down on the time he spends in New Jersey. And the state still has fresh memories of his predecessor, Gov. Chris Christie, spending all or part of 520 days out-of-state during his second term.

Then there's the matter of Menendez, who came under investigation once again. Details have been minimal since Semafor broke the news in October. Federal prosecutors in New York launched the probe, according to reports.

The Democratic senator was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2015. The jury failed to reach a verdict, and charges were dropped three years later. The Senate Select Committee On Ethics "severely admonished" Menendez in 2018.