Norcross acknowledged the reordered landscape, saying state party Chair LeRoy J. Sweeney has made no secret of his desire to run, but his path back to the state capitol looks increasingly limited given the shifting power dynamics within the Democratic Party and the early candidacy of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a leading Democratic contender. Norcross would, however, support Sweeney if he runs for governor in 2025. “When you’ve been doing this for so many years like I have, and you have this kind of devastating loss - there’s no other way to describe it - you find yourself probably a little less enthused,” he said. Between that and some leisure activities, such as golf and tennis, he said, “it leaves me not a whole lot of time” to focus on politics. “So we’re very proud of everything we’ve done.”īut Norcross said he spends about 90 percent of his time outside of New Jersey - he is officially a resident of Florida now - and is consumed by work for Cooper and the insurance firm he leads, Conner Strong & Buckelew. “The results have proven themselves,” he said. Though he has come under intense scrutiny over tax breaks paid to Camden businesses with which he has ties, including Cooper, Norcross has defended the use of corporate incentives as critical investments to rejuvenate the area. The hospital also received an ‘A’ grade this week for safety by The Leapfrog Group. Cooper University Hospital, where Norcross is chair of the board of trustees, was close to bankruptcy two decades ago but announced plans last year for a $2 billion expansion. The new Camden County police force has been held up as a model for other agencies, with lower rates of murder and violent crime in the decade since its realignment and Obama visiting Camden to tout the city’s progress. The Republican’s eight years in office were arguably the height of Norcross’ power.Ĭhristie, Norcross and Sweeney effectively ran New Jersey, rolling back pension and health benefits for public employees, passing measures meant to cut taxes, overhauling the Camden police force and shepherding programs focused on revitalizing the city, once one of the poorest and most dangerous in America.īy many measures, those efforts in Camden have paid off. And a super PAC linked to Norcross reported raising no money in the first quarter of this year despite legislative elections in November.Ī decade earlier, Norcross found a somewhat unlikely ally in Christie. Nick Scutari, over campaign spending that ended in insults. Donald Norcross, George Norcross’ brother, clashed with other Democrats redrawing the map.Įarlier this year, George Norcross got into a dispute with Sweeney’s successor, state Sen. And Norcross allies on a congressional redistricting panel that could have strengthened the district of Rep. When Chris Christie was New Jersey governor, George Norcross was able to use his influence with the Democratic-led Legislature to work across the aisle at times with the Republican governor.Īfter Sweeney lost his perch as the second-most powerful elected official in New Jersey, he was kicked off a legislative redistricting commission. The legislative defeats in 2021 marked a critical deceleration point for Norcross’ famed South Jersey machine. Norcross raised money for his brother from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and drew a visit to Camden from former President Barack Obama - yet he celebrated New Year’s at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, where he was a member. Chris Christie, allowing the Republican to muscle his legislative priorities through a Democratic-led Legislature loaded with Norcross loyalists. He dealt directly with governors and became a key ally to former Gov. There are few people left in American politics quite like Norcross, who often blurred partisan lines and relished his leading role in the state’s ruthless political world. His decision also has implications for Democrats nationally because he has been a key behind-the-scenes player in fundraising and recruitment. It is a ground-shifting moment in New Jersey politics - one that could reshape the state’s Democratic Party and change the way things get done in Trenton. “And now it’s time for others to lead the party.” “We had a great run for almost 25 years,” he said in an exclusive interview with POLITICO. After thinking through his future, Norcross says he’s ready to dramatically scale back his political activities and shift his focus to other professional and personal interests. Norcross says he was “involuntarily pushed to a different place” and has been “sitting in the backseat” ever since.
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