State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio lost his bid for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination
While dozens of candidates were making last minute appeals on primary day, Republican Senate candidate Joe Pennacchio spent the afternoon working on dental fillings and root canals. The next day, about 12 hours after congratulating rival Dick Zimmer on his victory, Pennacchio was at his Mount Arlington dental practice again, engaging in his pre and post-election routine: going to work.

“I make a habit of working my regular job on election day and the next morning,” he said. “It grounds me. It tells me who I am, gets me back with the people and in the mix.”

Pennacchio, a conservative, lost to the more moderate Zimmer, 46% to 40%, with Murray Sabrin, a finance professor at Ramapo College, taking 14% of the vote. But despite a respectable showing, Pennacchio was true to the persona he cultivated during the campaign, exemplified by his “Jersey Joe” moniker and the slogan that accompanied it: “He’s one of us!”

William Jobes, the Director of News and Public Affairs at NJN for the last 21 years, is retiring next month, according to the network.

Network spokeswoman JoAnne Ruscio said that a successor has not yet been named.

“From Governor Tom Kean to Governor Jon Corzine, Jobes has guided the newsroom in its coverage of issues and policies and legislative actions – providing facts and commentary to keep NJN’s viewers and the state’s residents well-informed about their government,” read a statement from the network.

It’s a rough day on Grove Street.

The Jersey Journal reports that Jersey City Deputy Mayor Kabili Tayari was arrested yesterday for driving a rental car that was reported stolen.

Tayari, who was charged under his original name, Randy Brown, had reportedly failed to return a car he had rented from an agency at Newark Airport.

“This is purely a civil matter where clearly there was no intent to take the rented vehicle beyond the contracted time limit. We believe this issue will be resolved amicably between both parties,” read a statement by Healy spokesman Stan H. Eason.

The Associated Press reports that Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy lost his latest appeal today on his conviction for resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.

Healy was arrested in Bradley Beach two years ago after he tried to play peacemaker in a lovers’ quarrel outside of a bar owned by his sister.  Today’s decision marks Healy’s second appeal loss.

Healy chief-of-staff Dominick Pandolfo said that while Healy is aware of the decision, he has not yet received it in full.  It’s unclear whether Healy will once again appeal the appeal. 

State Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex): Politicker Photo

Republicans on Wednesday night at the Princeton Hyatt unanimously elected Essex County Republican Chairman Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) as leader of the GOP county chair people.

The chairs also unanimously elected Warren County Chair Doug Steinhardt as vice chair; Atlantic Chairman Keith Davis as treasurer, and Camden Chair Rick DeMichele as secretary.

"Kevin brings an interesting perspective," said outgoing Chairman George Gilmore, the Ocean County GOP chairman. "He serves in the Legislature and the Senate, and is in a unique position to build the party with the State Committee.

"Bergen's going to be a key county to look at," Gilmore added. "It used to be Republican. It's a county we need to work, to improve the party in this election and beyond, but there are a lot of opportunities across the state."