Pelosi, Murphy Rally With Norcross In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The recent in-fighting among South Jersey Democrats appeared to be at an end or at least put on hold when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended a rally for Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) at Camden County College this weekend. The event drew both supporters and protesters to Gloucester Township.

Gov. Phil Murphy told a crowd of hundreds who packed the Papiano Gym on Camden County College’s Blackwood Campus that Norcross “shines” as a New Jersey Democrat, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. He emphasized the need to re-elect New Jersey’s Democrats, beginning with Norcross. In turn, Norcross endorsed Murphy’s 2021 re-election bid.

The events are noteworthy due to the in-fighting between the establishment Democrats and an emerging group of Progressive Democrats. Murphy has appointed a task force to look into the state’s tax incentive program. As part of its investigation, the task force issued a report that claims tax incentives given to five companies connected to South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross.

The report says the EDA rewarded too much money in tax incentives to companies that mislead them in their applications. In some cases, the task force claims those companies should've been denied incentives outright. Read more here: Report Says Program Provided Big Benefits To NJ Political Boss

A group of progressive Democrats has also challenged the mainstream party in elections each of the past two years. For the most part, the progressives have not been able to make a dent in South Jersey, although they did win seats Democratic County Committee seats in Collingswood.

Pelosi has been a prominent Democrat that has supported Norcross, and Norcross was one of the first voices in favor of the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Read more here: Here's How Norcoss Voted On Impeachment Inquiry

In offering her support for Norcross in December, Pelosi said, "From working tirelessly to provide our children with a high-quality education to protecting our national security and advocating for lower drug costs, Congressman Norcross always ensures that the issues of his constituents are at the forefront. Congressman Norcross is a relentless champion for labor and progressive issues who is fighting to increase Americans' paychecks at a time when the wages of our workers are falling further and further behind. His patriotic service in the Congress is respected throughout his state and the country. I am proud to support Donald Norcross' reelection."

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker was also at the rally, dubbed the “Rally for Progress.” A $2,800 a plate fundraiser held prior to the rally raised $1.75 million for Norcross’s re-election campaign, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Image via Ray Polidoro

There was a protest rally nearby organized by Camden County Republicans. Tom Crone previously told Patch the rally was being organized to “welcome Pelosi to South Jersey.” Organizers estimated about 200 people attended the rally.

There was smiling, singing and chanting, and a back-and-forth with some people attending the Pelosi rally, according to nj.com.

A plane flew overhead bearing a banner that read “South Jersey is Trump Country,” a reference to a comment made when Trump went to Wildwood to stump for Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2) in December.

Crone said the main issue for Republicans is the economy, and they believe Norcross and Pelosi will take away from it. They were also there to support Claire Gustafson, the only Republican to this point who is set to run against Norcross in November.

Norcross represents New Jersey's First Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties.

The deadline to file petitions to run in the primaries is March 30, while the deadline for third-party candidates to file petitions to run in the general election is June 2. The deadline to register to vote is May 12. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 3 p.m. on June 1, and the deadline to return an absentee ballot is 8 p.m. on June 2. Election Day is Nov. 3.

For more on how to register and how to find your polling location, visit the state's website.