Political Predictions for 2018

National  Politics:

Defying historical trends and mainstream media polling, the Republican Party will expand its majority in the both U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.  Congressman Frank Pallone will not become a Committee Chairman.

President Donald Trump’s personal approval ratings will hover between 35-45%.  His job approval rating will exceed 50% nationally and in NJ as the economy continues to grow and as threats from ISIS and North Korea are neutralized.

As our Country rapidly grows stronger and smarter, I want to wish all of my friends, supporters, enemies, haters, and even the very dishonest Fake News Media, a Happy and Healthy New Year. 2018 will be a great year for America!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017

In New Jersey, indicted U.S. Senator Bob Menendez will be reelected without credible opposition from the feckless NJ GOP.

In the House of Representatives, NJ Dems will pick up one seat, net.    The GOP will surrender the CD 2 seat currently held by retiring Congressman Frank LoBiondo to Dem State Senator Jeff Van Drew.  Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, will be defeated by Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor in CD 11. Steve Lonegan will shock the NJ political establishment by defeating freshman Democrat Congressman Josh Gottheimer in CD 5.

In Trenton:

Phil Murphy’s first year in office will be reminiscent of Governor Jon Corzine’s.  He won’t be able to get most of what he wants through the Democrat legislature.  No millionaires tax.  Recreational marijuana will not be legalized.  There will be no state bank. Murphy will not declare NJ a sanctuary state.

The State will not have a budget passed on June 30, 2018, forcing a government shutdown for the second consecutive year.  Murphy will not spend the shutdown at the Governor’s beach house in Island Beach State Park.

In Monmouth County:

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and Hazlet Mayor Sue Kiley will be elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Disgraced Freeholder John Curley will ignore early calls for his resignation.

He will amend his federal lawsuit against his fellow Freeholders, asking the Court to compel the County to provide him with health insurance after the Freeholders move to take away his current benefit.

After being rejected by both the Monmouth GOP and the Monmouth Dems for their Freeholder nominations, Curley will announce that he’s running as an Independent.  Without a Party structure to support him, Curley will run out of money for fly swatters and pens before he considers campaign mail.

More victims of Curley’s harassment will come forward.

Past GOP donors to Curley will ask for their money back.

Curley will not file petitions to run as an Independent. He will resign as part of a deal that prevents release of the report prepared by retired Judge Mary Catherine Cuff which resulted in his Censure and Reprimand.