Jersey City Online New Jersey Political Power List 2002 The POWER LIST 2002 identifies New Jersey’s 100 most politically influential personalities will appear bi-annually on PoliticsNJ.com. More than one-third of the names on this list are new, reflecting the new power brokers of the new administration. In developing our list, we eliminated anyone who currently holds public office, as well as Judges, Prosecutors and state Cabinet Members. We also eliminated the five living former Governors: we believe that all former Governors remain highly influential and well-respected. This is an Insiders List. We looked at policy makers, party leaders, fundraisers, lobbyists, labor unions, businesses, and associations and have assembled the ultimate list of New Jerseyans with clout, with an impact on politics and government in the Garden State. And we selected names based on a fairly unscientific curve: we allocated spaces on this list for a dozen different categories within the New Jersey political community -- so #11 on the list of important fundraisers or donors doesn't make the list, but the most influential congressional staffers does. Just remember that our list is purely subjective.

The *POWER LIST 2002* identifies New Jersey’s 100 most politically influential personalities will appear bi-annually on www.PoliticsNJ.com . More than one-third of the names on this list are new, reflecting the new power brokers of the new administration. In developing our list, we eliminated anyone who currently holds public office, as well as Judges, Prosecutors and state Cabinet Members. We also eliminated the five living former Governors: we believe that all former Governors remain highly influential and well-respected. This is an Insiders List. We looked at policy makers, party leaders, fundraisers, lobbyists, labor unions, businesses, and associations and have assembled the ultimate list of New Jerseyans with clout, with an impact on politics and government in the Garden State. And we selected names based on a fairly unscientific curve: we allocated spaces on this list for a dozen different categories within the New Jersey political community -- so #11 on the list of important fundraisers or donors doesn't make the list, but the most influential congressional staffers does. Just remember that our list is purely subjective.
1	JOHN LYNCH	Democratic lawyer and former Senate President	The Governor Emeritus of New Jersey.
2	GARY TAFFET	Chief of Staff to the Governor	The gatekeeper to the McGreevey kingdom is an exceptionally able politico; the top guy to the top guy.
3	GEORGE NORCROSS	South Jersey Democratic Leader	Commerce Bank exec is the leader of South Jersey Democrats. Master Strategist and Mega Fundraiser.
4	PAUL LEVINSOHN	Chief Counsel to the Governor	Jim McGreevey's lawyer and his number one campaign financier.
5	DON IMUS	WFAN-AM Morning Radio Personality	Devoting more coverage to NJ politics and sways a lot of NJ voters.
6	DONALD SCARINCI	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	Bob Menendez's best friend and the McGreevey Transition Team Counsel is the go-to guy in state and local governments.
7	GLENN PAULSEN	Burlington County Republican Chairman	Leads the strongest GOP organization in the state.
8	CHARLES KUSHNER	Real Estate Developer and Democratic fundraiser	Huge giver to Democrats nationally and locally.
9	LEWIS EISENBERG	Investment Banker and Republican fundraiser	Was Bush's pick as GOP National Finance Chairman.
10	JAMES DAVY	Governor's Chief of Management and Operations	He's makes the trains run on time.
11	JIM GEARHART	101.5-FM Morning Radio Personality	Can still rile things up with morning drive time slot.
12	RAYMOND POCINO	LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager	New Jersey's most influential labor leader.
13	JOSEPH FERRIERO	Bergen County Democratic Chairman	Bergen's undisputed boss who brought the Party back from extinction.
14	WARREN WILENTZ	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	The Grand Old Man of Democratic politics in New Jersey is one of McGreevey's mentors.
15	DAVID NORCROSS	Republican National Committeeman	New Jersey's Ambassador to the White House and GOP Congress.
16	ORIN KRAMER	Investment Banker and Democratic fundraiser	The man whose ring all potential Democratic presidential candidates must kiss.
17	DAVID REBOVICH	Rider University Political Science Professor	The go-to guy when political reporters need an intelligent quote.
18	DALE FLORIO	Lobbyist and Somerset County Republican Chairman	Chairman who controls his county and lobbyist who gets bills passed.
19	FRANK SPENCER	Labor Leader, Chairman of the NJ Joint Council of Carpenters and Joiners PAC	Helped create the new Dem majority in the Legislature.
20	CALVIN WEST	Advisor to Mayor Sharpe James	Longtime Democratic leader has close ties to Jim McGreevey.
21	PAUL JOSEPHSON	Democratic attorney	Was Jim McGreevey's top campaign lawyer, slated for influence in Trenton.
22	KELLY GANGES	Executive Director, Assembly Democrats	Survivor of Assembly Dem battles came out on top.
23	CHARLES WOWKANECH	President, New Jersey AFL-CIO	Delivered an endorsement for McGreevey and a Democratic legislature and brought labor back onto the statewide Democratic scene.
24	JAMIE FOX	Democratic Strategist and former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Bob Torricelli	He helped the Democrats define Bret Schundler.
25	JO ASTRID GLADING	Governor's Chief of Policy and Communications	The driver of the McGreevey message.
26	KEVIN HAGAN	Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor	Has the Governor's ear and the respect of Democratic party elders.
27	KATHY CROTTY	Executive Director, Senate Democrats	Veteran legislative tactician is respected by her caucus.
28	DAVID STEINER	Democratic fundraiser	Continues to be a major Democratic donor.
29	CANDACE STRAIGHT	Republican fundraiser and Sports Authority Commissioner	Effective fundraiser's influence goes well beyond the borders of New Jersey.
30	JON ROBERT BOMBARDIERI	Executive Director, Assembly Republicans	Young star heads refurbished GOP staff.
31	ADAM KAUFMAN	Lobbyist	Very close to McGreevey staff; Gary Taffet used to work for him.
32	AMY MANSUE	Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor	Popular no nonsense policy wonk
33	BILL PALATUCCI	Attorney and Republican fundraiser/strategist	Strong ties to Bush White House.
34	ANGELO GENOVA	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	Longtime lawyer for Democratic candidates has a rolodex of IOU's
35	HAROLD HODES	Lobbyist and former Chief of Staff to Gov. Brendan Byrne	Runs New Jersey's largest lobbying firm.
36	MARK SMITH	Executive Director, Senate Republicans	State government veteran is new Senate GOP's top staffer.
37	ROGER BODMAN	Lobbyist	Knows his way around NJ politics.
38	JAMES GEE	Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor	Very popular among Democratic legislators.
39	LIONEL KAPLAN	Democratic fundraiser and former AIPAC President	Close ties to national Democrats and Co-Senate President Codey.
40	VERNON HILL	Commerce Bank Chairman	New Jersey's fastest growing bank.
41	DONALD NORCROSS	South Jersey AFL-CIO President and Camden County Democratic Co-Chairman	Combined power base of labor and an entrenched political machine.
42	MICHAEL ARON	Senior Political Correspondent, New Jersey Network	It's not how many people watch him, but rather who watches him.
43	BOB FRANKS	HealthCare Institute of NJ President and former Congressman	Highly respected among organization Republicans and now heads a major trade organization.
44	FRED POTTER	Labor Leader, New Jersey Teamsters Joint Council 73 Political Action Committee Chairman	Leading Ocean County Democrats and New Jersey Teamsters to prominence.
45	DEBORAH LYNCH	Democratic activist and fundraiser	John Lynch's wife is a top fundraiser on her own.
46	THOMAS GIBLIN	Labor Leader and Essex County Democratic Chairman	No longer State Chairman, but still leads big county organization and a major labor union.
47	GENE MARTORONY	Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Albio Sires	Strong policy skills and Trenton experience will help the new Speaker control his caucus.
48	STEPHEN ADUBATO, SR.	Executive Director, North Ward Cultural Center	Wins New Jersey political version of Survivor.
49	RAYMOND CHAMBERS	Philanthropist and Civic Leader	Newark renaissance man may still get his arena.
50	STEVE AYSCUE	Democratic political consultant	Hardball tactician, the new Prince of Darkness.
51	MICHAEL ANGELINI	Gloucester County Democratic Chairman	Power grew exponentially after knocking out a 28-year State Senator.
52	PAUL ANZANO	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	Longtime Trenton insider is the go to guy for insurance clients in the McGreevey era.
53	CLIVE CUMMIS	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	Clinton has left the White House, but he still has real clout.
54	JOHN HIBBS	President, New Jersey Laborers Union #472	One of the labor leaders whose endorsement really does matter.
55	JEANNINE LARUE	Chief Lobbyist-designate, New Jersey Education Association	About to assume the teachers union's top lobbying post.
56	REV. REGINALD JACKSON	Executive Director, New Jersey Council of Black Ministers	Despite some rough times, he's still New Jersey's most influential clergyman.
57	EMERY UNGRADY	Deputy Counsel to the Governor	One of the sharpest legal minds in Trenton
58	AL KOEPPE	President, PSE&G	Head of state's largest utility company has considerable influence with the new Governor.
59	MAGGIE MORAN	State Director, Office of U.S. Senator Jon S. Corzine	Veteran political operative is well-liked and highly respected.
60	ZULIMA FARBER	Attorney and Democratic activist	Former Cabinet member is a respected leader of the state's Hispanic community.
61	BILL PURCELL	Labor Leader, New Jersey Communications Workers of America	Top advocate of New Jersey state employees.
62	MARIE TASY	Legislative Director, New Jersey Right-To-Life Committee	Queen of conservative interest groups in New Jersey.
63	FINN CASPERSEN, SR.	Businessman, Philanthropist and Republican fundraiser	Billionaire businessman gets his calls returned.
64	BILL PASCRELL III	Passaic County Counsel and Lobbyist	Leverages family business into statewide clout.
65	MAURICE CARROLL	Director, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute	Respected pollster is on the mark when it comes to calling races.
66	RONALD DELMAURO	Chief Executive Officer, St. Barnabas Health Care Systems	Runs New Jersey's largest health care organization/
67	STEVE DEMICCO	Democratic political consultant	Mega consultant has directed two winning statewide campaigns in two years.
68	KAY LICAUSI	District Director, Office of Congressman Robert Menendez	Runs Menendez's local political operation.
69	BRET SCHUNDLER	Former Mayor of Jersey City and candidate for Governor	Remains the titular head of New Jersey GOP's conservative wing.
70	GEORGE GILMORE	Ocean County Republican Chairman	Firmly in control of the Ocean County courthouse and a top advisor to Co-Senate President Bennett.
71	KAREN KOMINSKY	Lobbyist	She gets the joke, whether it's policy or politics.
72	TOM WILSON	Lobbyist and Republican Strategist	Has many friends of all political stripes.
73	PAUL MATACERA	Lobbyist	Ex-North Brunswick Mayor is John Lynch's brother-in-law.
74	GENE MULROY	Lobbyist	Young lobbyist has close ties with many McGreevey staffers.
75	JEFF SCOTT	Labor Leader, Communications Workers of America	The behind-the-scenes make-it-happen guy at the CWA.
76	LEWIS KATZ	Businessman and Democratic fundraiser	YankeesNets partner is highly respected and has paid his political dues.
77	MICHAEL DUHAIME	Executive Director, Republican State Committee	Recognized as the party's best grass roots strategist and now winning rave reviews for his Direct Mail.
78	BILL MAER	Lobbyist and Democratic operative	Versatile player who knows how to combine campaign politics with contract lobbying.
79	JOHN SHERIDAN	Attorney and Republican fundraiser	Top Republican lawyer with loads of contacts will survive a Democratic administration.
80	MICHAEL MURPHY	Attorney and former Democratic gubernatorial candidate	One of the most popular Democrats among New Jersey political insiders.
81	JEFF MICHAELS	Future lobbyist and former Chief of Staff to Gov. Don DiFrancesco	Former and future lobbyist brought Don DiFrancesco back to life.
82	DAVID PRINGLE	Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Federation	Trying to keep the Garden in the Garden State.
83	PATTI MCGUIRE	Democratic political operative	Always in demand to build a successful field operation.
84	KEVIN COLLINS	Chief of Staff to the Assembly Minority Leader	Top political advisor to the new Minority Leader.
85	PAUL MULSHINE	Columnist, The Star-Ledger	The Star-Ledger's Bill Safire is the darling of New Jersey conservatives.
86	MATTHEW BURNS	Attorney and Hudson County political leader	Close ally of Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham.
87	MATT LEONARDO	Republican political consultant	Ran Schundler's primary campaign and could be a factor in '02 Senate and House races.
88	DONNA MULLINS	Chief of Staff to Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen	Holds the keys to the Appropriations Committee lockbox.
89	ROBERT BONAZZI	Executive Director, New Jersey Education Association	Runs New Jersey's most powerful special interest group.
90	MICHAEL TORPEY	Attorney, Lobbyist and former Chief of Staff to Gov. Christie Whitman	Respected state government veteran.
91	KEVIN DAVIS	Deputy Executive Director, Senate Republicans	Had a tough year, but John Bennett still listens to him.
92	TOM BYRNE	Former Democratic State Chairman	Well-liked and respected...must be in the genes.
93	LARRY WEITZNER	Republican political consultant	Friendship with the GOP State Chairman and the GOP National Finance Chairman gives him wide influence.
94	ED FARMER	Chief of Staff to Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.	Major player in Passaic County politics.
95	MIGUEL PEREZ	Television personality and newspaper columnist	Well-respected by Latino voters who watch him on TV and read his column.
96	BOB DECOTIIS	Attorney and Democratic fundraiser	Veteran attorney regains some influence with a new Democratic administration.
97	VINCENT GIBLIN	Business Manager, Operating Engineers Local	Tom Giblin's brother is influential in his own right.
98	JOE CARDWELL	Jersey City Democratic operative	Speaks politically for Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham.
99	RICH MILLER	Legislative Director, New Jersey Sportsman	Second Amendment advocate influences Republican primaries.
100	JOAN VERPLANCK	Executive Director, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce	Leader of the state's business community