100 Most Powerful People In New Jersey: Trump Advisor Tops List

Whoever thought it could happen, that the most powerful person in New Jersey would not be Gov. Chris Christie?

And, in fact, the man who would top him on the list would be one of his strongest political and, perhaps, personal opponents who allegedly squeezed him out of a White House job?

That's how NJBIZ sees it as the publication compiled its list of the 100 most powerful people in New Jersey. Though the list is billed as a catalog of business power brokers, the compilation seems to go beyond the financial world, inserting people who don't necessarily have a direct hand in New Jersey commerce.

Rather, they're the people who pull the strings on politics and help to shape policy on the state and national level, whether they're an adviser to the president (Jared Kushner) whose father was once prosecuted by Christie, or they're a South Jersey political boss to whom many politicians show their gratitude (George Norcross).

"It’s the most important thing we do all year — and we take great pride in it," NJBIZ says. "We feel our Power 100 list reflects the most important, influential, successful and — of course — powerful people in the state."

Here is the top 20 people from the list, with NJBIZ's explanation for each:

1. Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, advisor to the president. "He’s a known quantity. 'The guy has got real Jersey bones on business,' another insider said. 'He’s totally familiar with the landscape: the key players, the key areas, the key issues.' And many, quite frankly, were impressed by the power he already has shown (reports have suggested that Kushner compelled Trump to not pick the governor for a cabinet spot he coveted because he's still upset that Christie, a former U.S. attorney, prosecuted his father a decade ago). 'If he’s the guy who pushed Chris Christie out of the top spot, that’s pretty powerful,' said one. Another put it another way: 'He’s the reason why Chris Christie is still governor.'
2. Gov. Chris Christie. "He is still the sitting governor in the state that gives the sitting governor more power than any other. That’s why Gov. Christie is still No. 2, despite his inability to reconnect with voters (even a pledge to fight drug addiction didn’t move the mark on his polling) and inability to control the Legislature (see his failed attempts at getting a book deal and punishing newspapers) and even a growing inability to control his own party."
3. Phil Murphy, Democratic candidate for governor, former Goldman Sachs executive. "We’re good with the spot we’ve picked. Not just because we think he will be the next governor of New Jersey, holding his presumptive spot through a challenge in the Democratic primary and the general election. But also because we were stunned with the precision and power he displayed near the end of 2016, when he convinced two very powerful people (Stephen Sweeney and Steve Fulop) to drop out of the race for governor, a job they both clearly coveted, more than a year before the election. That’s power."
4. George Norcross, business executive, South Jersey political boss. "If you think Norcross’ power in the state is waning, well … you already know the answer. 'Here’s one way to look at George,' one insider explained. 'You can compare his portfolio in one sector to just about anyone in that sector. Then you realize this: He’s got like 11 portfolios.'"
5. Jon Hanson, New Jerey real estate. "He says he’s stepping away from the day-to-day operations of The Hampshire Cos., though those who know him insist he’s still the first one in the office. And the depth of the projects he’s involved in matches anyone in the business. It’s no wonder so many seek his counsel."
6. Senate President Stephen Sweeney. "His dreams of being governor are gone. Sweeney found out early how hard it is for a South Jersey politician to win over the north. The consolation? He gets to keep the second-most-powerful job in state government: state Senate president. 'He’s not going anywhere,' one insider said. 'All of the deals may result in a change of the Assembly speaker, and Sweeney may not get a say in that, but he’s staying where he is.' "
7. Anthony Coscia, former Port Authority executive. "The Gateway project, the building of a new tunnel to Manhattan, is bigger than just the biggest infrastructure project the state has ever seen. 'If it goes through, it’s the biggest construction project in the country,' one insider said. 'We’re talking $25 to $30 billion dollars. An incredible amount of jobs and contracts.' And Coscia is running point. There’s really no better choice. Tony has the political clout to get everyone to the table."
8. John Degnan, the chairman of the Port Authority. "[He] wasn’t afraid to battle New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo when he felt Cuomo was slowing attempts to get a new $10 billion bus terminal built in the city, saying it was a New Jersey project and not a Port Authority project."
9. Sen. Cory Booker. "A year ago, we speculated whether Booker would be a vice presidential candidate in 2016. Now, we’re speculating on whether he’ll be a candidate for president in 2020. While it’s certainly too early to predict the future, it’s easy to see what’s happening in the present: Booker not only has established himself as the top U.S. senator for the state, he has positioned himself as one of the national leaders of the Democratic Party."
10. Chris Paladino, head of the New Brunswick Development Corp. "He essentially created a [Rutgers] campus where there was none at his beloved Rutgers University. And while some feel the opening of The Yard and the new academic buildings at Rutgers signal he’s getting close to the finish line in New Brunswick, others think the head of the New Brunswick Development Corp. is just getting started."
11. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Republican candidate for governor. "She’s the top woman on the list, and for good reason. The business community has had no bigger supporter the past seven years than Guadagno, who seemingly set a record for ribbon-cuttings in her role as lieutenant governor."
12. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. "The leader in Newark assumes the unofficial title of the state’s top mayor, riding a wave of more development announcements."
13. Robert Garrett, head of Hackensack Meridian Health; Barry Ostrowsky, the leader of RWJ Barnabas Health. "Together? Call it a cop-out. Or call it recognition that the state has two premier health system executives — and that none of our insiders mentioned one without mentioning the other in the same breath."
14. Robert A. Marino, chairman, chief executive officer & president of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. "Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has no equal in the insurance marketplace. 'It’s such a behemoth of a company; they employ so many people,' one insider said."
15. Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. “ 'He’s had wins and losses and hits and misses, for sure,' said one insider. 'But he still has the job and will continue to have the job. And if the governor wants to get anything through the legislature to help his legacy — and trust me, he does — then he’s going to have to work with Vinny. That’s a sign of power.' "
16. Thomas Scrivo, chief counsel to Christie; Attorney General Chris Porrino; Bill Palatucci, chief strategist to Christie. "[They] are all on the governor’s speed dial. The question is, insiders say, how long they will want to be there. It’s the last year of the administration and all need to be looking to their next job while holding down their powerful current posts."
17. Kevin O’Dowd, Cooper University Hospital, former Christie chief of staff. "His connections are the easy way to start his bio, as both Christie and George Norcross value his insights and leadership. But, an insider said, one shouldn’t be quick to say his power stems only from his relationships."
18. Former Acting Gov. Dick Codey. "Codey, the former beloved governor and state Senate president, was one of the first to jump on the Murphy bandwagon. That figures to pay off should Murphy win the gubernatorial election this fall. Is this spot too much, too soon? After all, Murphy has not even won the Democratic nomination."
19. Brendan Gill, Essex County freeholder. "Some call Gill, an Essex County freeholder, an up-and-comer in the state. Others say he’s been a power player for some time — something up-and-comers aspire to be. 'He’s a big-time adviser and fundraiser for huge people, including Booker and (Murphy),' one insider said."
20. Josh Harris and David Blitzer, New Jersey Devils owners. "Their organization plays a big role in Newark. And they want to be more active.'It starts with their One Jersey initiative, where they are actively collaborating with some of the state’s top businesses to improve the overall landscape of New Jersey."

See the entire Power 100 list by clicking here.

Patch file photo