By Mia McCarthy

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Good Wednesday morning!

THE EYE OF THE HURRI-KEAN — I’m normally one of the only reporters following Kean’s every vote up on Capitol Hill. But on Tuesday, all eyes were on the freshman New Jersey Republican as his unknown vote would help determine the speakership in a divided caucus.

Kean voted for Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan yesterday — alongside the two other New Jersey Republicans and the majority of the party. But Jordan didn’t end up getting the 217 votes needed to become Speaker. And now Kean might face the repercussions of his vote or change it altogether.

The vulnerable Republican, who is not keen on chatting with the press, did not answer questions before the vote about who he would support. Regardless of who Kean voted for on Tuesday— whether for Jordan or against him — Kean faced a lose-lose endgame.

On one hand — if Kean voted against Jordan he would get heat from his fellow Republicans, especially as pressure to find a speaker increases every day.

On the other hand  — a vote for far-right Freedom Caucus co-founder Jordan could lead to backlash in Kean’s swing district. Democratic challengers in an already competitive race would without a doubt come swinging at Kean’s support for a 2020 election denier.

Kean placed his bets on the latter.

“It is important to get Congress working again and govern so we can address major issues in New Jersey and around the globe,” Kean said Tuesday for a weekly video segment, hinting at a justification for his vote without stating it.

While it was a tough decision, Kean wasn’t forced by any means. Jordan had lost the speakership well before the roll call vote even got to the letter K.

Kean’s challengers are already using the vote as fuel in a fiery race. His two Democratic challengers, Sue Altman and Jason Blazakis, both had statements denouncing Kean within minutes of his vote.

“This is not the Republican Party of Tom Kean Jr.’s father, and Tom Kean Jr. has done nothing but enable the most extreme elements of his own party instead of being a voice for moderation,” Altman said in a statement. “Jim Jordan is a radical election denier who does not represent the values of this district and Tom Kean Jr. should be ashamed of his vote.”

So what’s next? A fired up NJ-7 race and an 11 a.m. speaker vote today.

Which raises the question: Will Kean continue backing Jordan — even after immediate backlash — or switch to a new candidate and help other moderate Republicans get a different consensus Speaker?

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Better health for our members, better healthcare for everyone. Since 1932, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has been singularly focused on the health and well-being of New Jersey. No other health insurer can say that. Generations of New Jerseyans have trusted Horizon to help them achieve their best health. We provide access to the doctors they know and the network they trust. We understand New Jersey because we are New Jersey.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at [email protected]. 

Quote of the day: “This day. One job out there. Hakeem Jeffries. Hakeem Jeffries. Hakeem Jeffries. Here we go.” — Rep. Rob Menendez to himself in the mirror (almost?) to the tune of "Lose Yourself." See video on X.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Former Alpha Mayor Harry Zikas Jr. and New Brunswick BA Michael Drulis

WHERE’S MURPHY? Asia. ... Acting Gov. Tahesha Way will make an announcement at Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center in Cherry Hill with Acting Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Farrah Mahan, and Executive Director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Karen Bingert.

PROGRAMMING NOTE — Mia McCarthy here filling in for Matt from Washington, D.C. He’ll be back tomorrow with far funnier puns than me, but feel free to follow @Reporter_Mia for the latest N.J. delegation updates from Capitol Hill.

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

FULOP WANTS A FULL STOP— Jersey City sues New Jersey as it looks to bar cops from cannabis use, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey’s second-largest city filed a federal legal challenge Monday against the state as it essentially seeks to bar cops from using cannabis. While state law prohibits employers from penalizing employees based on cannabis usage during their personal time, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop — a 2025 candidate for governor — opposes police officers using it off the clock. The city invoked President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden and the recent firearm charge against him in its lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.

TRENTON INVESTIGATION — Feds launch investigation into Trenton police conduct, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: Federal prosecutors on Tuesday announced that they’re launching an investigation into the Trenton Police Department over “serious and credible” allegations of excessive force and unlawful stops and searches. “Effective policing requires public trust. When law enforcement officers violate the Constitution and federal law, it erodes trust and undermines public safety efforts,” Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the office's Civil Rights Division, said during a virtual press conference Tuesday morning.

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GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here.

MORE ON THE SPEAKER (OR LACK THEREOF) — New Jersey House Republicans back Jordan for speaker, by POLITICO’s Mia McCarthy: All three Republicans representing New Jersey voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in an unsuccessful vote for him to become the next House speaker on Tuesday. While Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith previously told POLITICO they would be voting for Jordan, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. ignored all questions about who he would support. The freshman Republican who represents the state’s most competitive district ended up being one of 200 Republicans voting for Jordan.

MORE MENENDEZ MATTERS — Menendez won't attend a classified briefing on Israel after foreign agent charge, by POLITICO’s Ursula Perano and Burgess Everett: Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez will not attend a classified briefing on Israel this week, according to Chuck Schumer. The news comes after Menendez was hit with a foreign agent charge last week, adding to other earlier charges. While Menendez originally brushed aside questions on Tuesday about whether or not he would attend the hearing, it's certainly an awkward spot for the senator, who was chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just weeks ago. Menendez has a long record of advocating for Israel and working on Israel-related policy.

GOTTHEIMER WATCH — Large bipartisan House group presses firmer WH stance against Iran, by POLITICO’s Anthony Adragna: A bipartisan group of some 110 House members are encouraging the White House to take a firmer stance against Iran in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Israel last week. …The bipartisan letter is led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).

— “Here’s How Much Chris Christie Is Worth”

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

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NJ TRANSIT HARASSMENT SUIT— Another NJ Transit employee files a sexual harassment suit against the agency, by Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com: “An NJ Transit rail conductor has accused an engineer of sexually harassing and assaulting her at work, in the latest lawsuit to allege that the agency fosters a hostile work environment where harassment is allowed to take place. The woman, who is not being named because of the sexual nature of the allegations, is a 15-year employee at NJ Transit and became a conductor in 2019. She alleges in the lawsuit — which was filed this month in state court in Essex County and names NJ Transit as the sole defendant — that the sexual misconduct began in 2022.”

NEWARK NEWS — Americans land in Newark on packed flights from Israel, by Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News: “Families hugged each other tight, meeting loved ones from Israel at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday. For some Americans, escaping the rockets, explosions and air raid sirens after waiting days for a flight out of Tel Aviv felt bittersweet.”

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PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

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