>> Tonight, taking on truck.

Chris Christie officially launches his 2024 presidential bid entering an already crowded Republican field.

>> there's an anti-troubling.

There is no with Elaine for him to have.

>> Voters head to the polls to cast their primary ballot for all 120 legislative seats.

We hear from the candidates in the racist.

>> right after the election, what are you going to do, how are you going to deliver to South Jersey?

>> Also the battle for AM radio station survival begins and Congress as bipartisan lawmakers aim to protect their existence and newer vehicles.

>> our belief is AM radio is critical to our citizens during a crisis.

LGBTQ+ pride events happening across the state to celebrate amid culture wars and boycotts.

NJ Spotlight News starts now.

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This is NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Good evening and welcome.

It is primary day in New Jersey, but all eyes are on New Hampshire tonight.

That's where Chris Christie is launching his campaign for president.

He found the paperwork this afternoon and joins an already crowded Republican primary field.

This is his second bid for the White House.

His 2016 presidential run was short-lived.

Now he is branding himself as the guy to torpedo his former ally casting himself as the only candidate not afraid to pull up political punch at the GOP front runner.

His staunchest supporters admit he faces an uphill battle in a party that is deeply loyal to trump.

David Cruz is in Manchester where he is making the announcement and joins me now.

Aside from making for a combative primary, what is a strategy?

>> >> He believes that he has a lame.

He said there were three things he wanted to make sure of.

One that his family was OK.

Number two, there is a path to victory, and number three that his skills and talent will have an impact on the race and it's that last thing that I think is most significant.

The strategy is punch trump in the face in the debate then do it again.

He thinks that -- if you remember in 2016, he was supposed to be the straight talker telling it like it is until trump came in and took that and added vulgarities and a shot to the presidency.

Chris Christie thinks the landscape is different and his punches, he will be able to lend them more effectively.

>> we should note he kept the same slogan this time around, tell it like a days.

But he is a tough talking Jersey guy, so I wonder why he is launching in New Hampshire as opposed to here at home?

>> Last time, he did it a lot closer to home.

I think the bottom line is New Hampshire New Hampshire New Hampshire is the strategy in terms of where he's going to pitch a tent in 2016 he was here frequently but he had a day job at that time.

So he would have to go back and forth to New Jersey because he was still functioning as governor.

Now there is no such encumbrance and he's going to be here pretty much every day until election day.

New Hampshire is where he is going to do it.

As much as he did in 2016.

In 2016, it was all in New Hampshire he came in sixth and that was not good.

They believe that with weakened Donald Trump and a small field of other candidates, they will be able to come in second or third in New Hampshire and if that were to happen, that would really change the landscape a lot.

Briana: Why is he holding this as a town hall style event?

We have seen other candidates announced on Twitter and other special events.

A Townhall seems boring.

>> If you saw the disastrous launch of Ron DeSantis, it may have given Chris Christie some pause.

This is where he does he -- his best work.

He did 100,000 Townhall's when he was governor.

He has perfected the art.

In this race, he is probably the best at that.

The crowds love Chris Christie.

They may not end up voting for him, but when they come to the town halls he really rocks the house and gets a great reception.

What he needs to do this time is turn the warm reception at these events into votes.

Briana: No doubt about that.

Thank you so much.

For a deeper look at Chris Christie's campaign launch and the presidential race as a whole, I am joined by a Democratic specialist and a Republican strategist.

Chris, what is Chris Christie's Lane?

We know that trump is more than a durable candidate.

Republicans back him now more than 2016.

>> There is a Lane that is anti-trump.

and he's going to keep it so I think for Christy he's going to have to use his political skills which are very very vast and immeasurable he's a great politician and his communication skills and he's going to have to make noise and new news for himself to get into that lane and hopefully desensis for him falters.

>> I wonder though how much he can do that when it's unlikely he's going to get a ton of media coverage right and he's got this Super PAC but is he going to have the funds to keep up with the amount of attack ads really that he's going to need for a race like this.

>> I think one leads to the other right I think I would disagree that he's not going to get news I think his whole strategy has got to be about getting news he has no other path other than to make noise so I think you're going to see a really outside the box campaign by him I think he's going to say some stuff that is edgy and probably over the top because he needs to get attention and if he gets that attention then maybe the money comes in there's people in the party looking for an alternative to Trump Christy realizes that he realizes to become that to get the money and the only way it does that is to make a lot of noise rights out of the box.

>> so he maybe plays to some of the more moderate Republicans but is that in your face style which you know well Dan just from his time in state politics going to be enough to Galvanize you know a and really the the base he's going to need to turn out to go up against someone like a DeSantis or a trump.

>> I think the style isn't going to be this issue right this issue is going to be Donald Trump Donald Trump is as we sit here right now running away with this nomination so the only path that he has is through Donald Trump now if that's of Chris Christie's making another making or something else and Donald Trump doesn't run then I think he may have a path as we sit here right now Donald Trump is the Republican nominee and it's not even close.

I agree with Chris I think that Chris Christie is incredible um uh candidate an incredible messenger he's he's going to get a lot of media the media loves him um but as of right now I don't see with Donald Trump in the race I don't see a path.

>> does he add that sort of breath of fresh air my words Chris not yours but basically what you were alluding to um in a race where that oxygen is being sucked up.

>> I think he clearly presents a different alternative for the Republican party than what they have out there right now with uh you know Ron DeSantis Nikki Haley and Donald Trump he's not talking about wokism he's not he's talking less about the cultural issues and more about how how he delivered as a governor and he's got a fantastic team around him I will say that as well but again you've got one guy in the race the end of race right now that has about five or six people that have declared that it's pulling at about 50 60 percent until that guy goes away I don't see it.

>> Chris Christie really want to win and be president or does he just want to take down Trump.

>> I can't imagine you get into this and not want to win at some level right he's got to want to win he's a competitor he's a successful Governor he got elected here twice there's no doubt he wants to win does he think he can win today I always tell candidates if you can't get out of bed in the morning and think you can win why put yourself through this your family through this so I think he's realistic that there's a narrow path but I would doubt that he wakes up the morning looks out in the mirror and says Ah you can't win this and keeps going.

>> nobody throws their hat in a ring like this if they don't think that they have a viable chance but uh okay let me let me switch gears though actually Dan respond to that.

>> I think that's exactly right and he's also done it before right so he has run a race before I think everyone thought he ran a respectable race the results weren't there for him but he's done it before he's been in the National Pro uh National profile now for a very long time so he knows the game I don't think he'd be getting in if he didn't see a path that said I do think it's a slim path he does know the game uh it's a good point another Jersey guy throwing his hat in the ring we just learned Princeton long time Princeton Professor Cornell West he's a very Progressive activist uh what are your thoughts there Chris on you know a third party candidate and what we know about that historically in a presidential race.

>> I mean there there is no path for that in terms of winning but I think someone like Cornell West is in to get his ideas on the table in the discussion so I could see something like that opposite what I just said right he could be getting the race to want to make issues a piece of what the conversation is um whether he's able to punch through or not I know he's been around a long time obviously but I don't think there's any room in our politics nationally right now for a third party.

>> State is also primary election day in New Jersey.

State Senate races top the ballot along with the entire legislature.

Voters are choosing Republican and Democratic nominees for the general election, but on the assembly side, there are contested races in 10 districts and only nine on the Senate side out of 40 districts total.

There are several County and municipal races up for grabs.

We have a look for what's at stake.

>> The income Republican Senator greeted constituents at a diner asking for their votes.

He is banking on his brand at the trucker.

-- Ed the trucker.

He stunned everyone by beating an icon.

Voters remember that.

>> He's the truck driver right?

I will probably vote for him.

He is probably for the people.

>> I guess it is my brand because after the election, they started labeling me Ed the trucker.

>> Ed the trucker should have ended the day we got sworn in and it should have been Ed the senator.

What are you going to deliver?

>> She is trying to unseat her former running mate even though they both check a lot of the same conservative boxes.

They both have posted videos showing loyalty to Donald Trump.

They both support parental rights and Second Amendment rights.

Neither champions abortion rights.

>> I am the true conservative.

I've had the NRA support and endorsement.

I'm the one who consistently fights against the abortion bills while she abstains.

I think there is a clear choice of who is the real conservative.

>> He attracts a lot of the extreme and I attract everyone.

That's a compliment to me.

I'm here to listen to you, to be your voice and that resonates with a lot of voters.

This was general election, I would win by a landslide hands down.

>> In an election year were 13% are uncontested, this contest gets headlines.

Sawyer sees herself as the rogue, the candidate who can be a Democrat in November.

He is unopposed in the primary.

What will play better with voters?

>> I get the argument she is making.

I think it's the only argument she can make, but you are urging Republican primary voters to reject one of their heroes.

Ed is going to be hard to be.

He is the red meat for Republican primary voters in Jersey.

He is their cup of tea.

>> Not that every South Jersey voter appreciates extremes.

This one switched his party affiliation but he sees the trend.

>> It's hard I think to find any person who is in the middle.

Defined a home in the Republican or Democratic party because you have factions on both sides and it has drawn people live from the center.

>> With no state or national race topping the ballot, turnouts are expected to be low.

He refused to criticize or debate Sawyer and Republican leaders have mostly held their punches as well to avoid inflicting collateral damage.

The party chairman complement in both.

>> He's worked hard to govern.

At the same time Beth has been a very effective assembly, she has worked hard.

Republicans have good candidates and solutions.

>> The third district is mostly Gloucester County.

11,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans.

It is been trending red.

How many Republicans will turn out to vote in this appetizer of a primary?

>> Thank you for staying with me .

Let's talk about the primary that historically has low voter turnout.

Not a ton of tight races.

Ed is really running on his brand.

What do you think the biggest factor is going to be in that race?

I wonder if it is Donald Trump.

>> He made a lot of headlines when he won in 2020 one.

He had a lot of excitement behind him.

But his views are really outside the mainstream.

What the Republican needs to see is can they elect someone who can compete in the general election.

It will be a good test for the Republican Party.

>> Someone who can take on in the general election.

>> I'm working on the opposite side of him in that race because I think Republicans need to put forward appealable candidates.

I don't think it is not that he can't win the general election.

If Sawyer wins, I don't think it's even competitive.

>> Do you think he has captured some lightning and a bottle?

>> Absolutely but Democrats have to study his foibles now.

>> What other races are you watching?

>> On the Democrat side there are not a lot of primaries.

The Democrats have a majority.

We are putting forward very good candidates so we are focused on the general for the most part.

There are primaries with multiple candidates.

I think it will be sleepier on the Democrat side.

On the Republican side, they have to prove they can put forward candidates that appeal to the mainstream.

So far they haven't done that.

>> Where are you focusing your attention today and does the fact that what Dan brought up about more contested races within the GOP indicate more of a fracture within the party?

>> There are good opportunities in the fall for don't have primaries today.

3, 4, and Gloucester County are all races where the Republican Party is at odds.

We have a map we can compete in.

We have to put out candidates who can compete.

Joe Biden even Democrats are looking to move past Joe Biden.

Independents and Democrats are frustrated with where the state is.

>> What will be the effect about low burger turnout and low vote by mail ballots?

>> These are low turnout affairs.

Party people come out.

The interesting thing will be how does the early boat and vote by mail expansion turnout?

You can seat lower voter turnout than the polls.

People voting by mail are the ones that are competitive.

>> Up until now, the Democrat party has been the one that is embraced voting by mail.

It's what delivered the governor to reelection.

33% of voting by mail members already have their ballots in by voting date.

They're trying to embrace it a bit more.

It will be a big test under the new law, this is the first off year midterm election so we will see it that juices up the numbers.

Briana: Thank you both for being with me.

For everything to know, head to NJ Spotlight News.org.

In our spotlight on business report, new jersey-based pharmaceutical company Merck is suing the U.S government claiming a new Medicare drug price negotiation program is unconstitutional the complaint seeks to block the program which is part of the inflation reduction act arguing drug makers will be forced to negotiate prices at below Market rates calling it tantamount to extortion.

Americans pay more for medicine than any other country the Biden administration's reform is aiming to save about 25 billion dollars a year by 2031 through price negotiations for Medicare.

A Move the pharmaceutical industry says will cut their profits and force them to pull back on developing new groundbreaking treatments the timing is key though the federal government is slated to release a list of its 10 most costly drugs up for Price negotiations by September 1st.

The future of keeping AM radio is up for discussion today.

They are deciding whether new vehicles come equipped with the AM option.

Subcommittee today held a hearing on the proposal as AM radio appears to be under threat from manufacturers who want to ditch it on new car models.

It was argued that they interfere but many broadcasters cite the role it has in emergencies pointing to major storms like Sandy and Ida where cell towers were knocked out.

It plays a bigger role in rural areas where other services are not available.

Our Homeland Security branch commander says it remains a key tool for the nation's emergency communications.

>> We have rural areas in New Jersey.

The reach of the cellular networks in some of those areas perfectly where we had a forest fire this past week was very limited.

That means with those individuals that they had to evacuate, they would almost primarily have been through AM radio to communicate.

Briana: Amtrak has a plan to clear up a backlog of projects on the Northeast corridor line.

The agency will need federal money to do it.

Officials this week announced they have applied for more than $7 billion in federal grants with four Gateway program related projects among the list of 14 total.

Those four projects include a New York Penn Station expansion replacing the 100-year-old bridges in Kearny adding tracks to the Highline that is currently two tracks on the Northeast corridor between Kearny and Hudson River Charles -- tunnels.

The money is part of a larger real grant program funded by the bipartisan infrastructure act President Biden signed in November 2021.

Wall Street is still digesting a recent rally, here's how the markets closed today.

It's officially pride month and a number of LGBTQ pride festivities kicked off this weekend around the garden state.

In Asbury Park, a crowd of roughly 20,000 turned out for the 31st annual pride Fest.

It's the largest and oldest pride celebration in New Jersey.

Organizers say this year's parade was about 1.5 times the size and length of last years.

On Saturday, pride parades will be held in Montclair and Toms River than June 14 in Camden.

W H Y Y is putting on pride no prejudice.

It's especially event highlighting queer musicians from around New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware.

All spreading messages of hope and unity.

That will do it for us tonight.

A reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen anytime.

For the entire news team, thanks for being with us have a great evening we will see you back here tomorrow.

>> the members of the New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together.

And Orsted, committed to the creation of a new long-term, sustainable, clean energy future for New Jersey.

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