>>>, FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS SPONSORED BYNJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AT >>> A MILITARY COMBO CALLED THE SCENE HEADED TOWARDS THE UKRAINE CAPITAL, KYIV.

AT THE UN ESTIMATES THAT THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE FLED.

ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON POST, POLAND HAS WELCOMED MORE THAN 337,000.

COUNTRIES HAVE SPRUNG INTO ACTION TO HELP -- TO URGENTLY DELIVER RELIEF TO SUPPORT THOSE STILL IN UKRAINE AND REFUGEES THAT HAVE A SPLIT FLED TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

IN NEW JERSEY, RALLIES AND VIGILS ARE SPRINGING UP IN A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY.

LAST NIGHT THE GOVERNOR ATTENDED AN EVENT AT A CHARGE.

HE SAYS THAT A LARGE CROWD GATHERED TO CALL TO AN END OF THE WAR AND THE END OF THE DESTRUCTION OF LIFE.

>>> HOW WE RESPOND TO WILL HAVE MORE.

IT >> Reporter: THE VOICES OF UKRAINIANS HERE IN NEW JERSEY ARE CALLING FOR SUPPORT.

A RALLY BROUGHT TOGETHER MEMBERS OF THE UKRAINIAN COMMITTEE TO SHARED STORIES ABOUT LOVED ONES OVERSEAS.

>> WE HAVE A GRANDMOTHER WHO LIVES THERE IN WHAT KYIV AND SHE IS A LEADING SCIENTIST OF UKRAINE.

IS SHE IS THERE LISTENING TO ROCKET FIRE AND TWO EXPLOSIONS AND SHE CANNOT LEAVE.

IT >> Reporter: FRIENDS ARE SAYING, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU, FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

I AM NOT SURE I WILL SURVIVE THIS NIGHT.

I AM GETTING MESSAGES FROM MY FRIENDS SAYING, JUST LEAVE.

PRAY FOR ALL OF US.

>> REPORTER:, NATALIA HAS A HUSBAND WHO IS A JERSEY SINCE THE CITY RESIDENT THAT TRAVELED TO UKRAINE KNOWING HE WOULD BE NEEDED IF CONFLICT BROKE OUT.

>> HE IS THERE.

WE ARE DOING TACTICAL FIRST-AID CARE.

IT THEY NEED MEDICINE AND SUPPLIES.

WE ARE DOING DELIVERIES.

THEIR FLYING AIRPLANES EVERY DAY AND IF YOU CAN DONATE ANYTHING, PLEASE DO.

>> Reporter: THE CALLS FOR SUPPORT ARE DIFFERENT.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR MONEY AND SUPPLIES BUT THEY ARE ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO ADVOCATE TO LOCAL POLITICIANS ASKING FOR THE U.S. TO DO MORE TO STOP RUSSIA.

>> PLEASE COVER OUR SKIES.

IT IF ANYBODY HERE CAN THINK ABOUT A PERSON, THAT YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THE OR ADVOCATE TO, PLEASE, THINK ABOUT THAT.

AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

NOT ONCE HAS THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT REQUESTED U.S.

TROOPS.

THEY STAND READY WITH EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD READY TO FIGHT.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR TROOPS.

THE NEW SLOGAN IS COVERED TO SKIES AND WE WILL DO THE REST.

IT >> Reporter: IT WOULD MEAN THAT NATO FORCES, INCLUDING THE U.S. WOULD ENGAGE MILITARILY WITH ANY RUSSIAN AIRPLANES SPOTTED IN THE SCRIBE SKY.

IT THAT IS NOT ANYTHING IT WAS PLANNED AS THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT INVESTIGATES A THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT FOR WAR CRIMES.

>> THE QUESTION IS IF WE GRANT THAT UP TO --.

WE HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND SO DOES RUSSIA.

GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE ALSO DO.

SO ANY DIRECT MILITARY CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA RAISES THE SPECTER OF NUCLEAR CONFLICT.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN SAY THE U.S. HAS AN OBLIGATION TO HELP BECAUSE OF THE BUDAPEST NUMBER" I-294 WHEN UKRAINE WHILE ONLY GIVE UP NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN AN ASSURANCE OF SAFETY FROM RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES.

BUT THAT WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL AND BINDING AGREEMENT.

>> THE QUESTION IS, CAN WE SURVIVE?

PROBABLY, NOT LIKELY BECAUSE THE OVERWHELMING -- THAT WOULD BE A DISASTROUS MILITARY SITUATION FOR THE UKRAINE GOVERNMENT AS WE KNOW IT.

BUT, UNDERGROUND ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE.

AND, THE INSURGENCY IS LIKELY.

IT TO COME ABOUT, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS ON THE MILITARY BATTLEFIELD.

AND ONE OF THE CONQUEST AMBITIONS OF RUSSIA AND OR BELARUS MIGHT BE.

SO EXPECT AN ARMED CONFLICT.

>> Reporter: A DIRE PREDICTION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS A I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> TODAY, 873 NEW CASES AND 41 NEW DEATH OF COVID-19.

THEY SAY THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH THE PFIZER VACCINE.

THE COMPANY VACCINE IS ALLEGEDLY LESS EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING INFECTION IN KIDS AGES 5-11.

THEY SAY THE NEWS COULD LEAD HESITANT PARENTS TO SKIP THE SHOTS FOR THE YOUNGEST KIDS.

AS VACCINATION RATES REMAIN LOW, LESS THAN ONE THIRD OF KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5-11 REMAIN LOW.

WHAT COULD THIS MEET AS MANY SCHOOLS PLAN TO DROP MASK REQUIREMENTS NEXT WEEK?

BRENDA FLANIGAN REPORTS.

>> PART OF ME SAYS, WHY BOTHER?

WANTED I WORRY ABOUT GETTING THE VACCINE?

IS IT WORTH IT?

IT >> Reporter: SHE IS QUESTIONING HER DECISION TO GET HER KIDS IT COVID-19 SHOTS AFTER DATA FROM NEW YORK SHOWED THE ABILITY OF THE PFIZER VACCINE TO PREVENT INFECTION IN CHILDREN PLUMMETS TO JUST 12% AFTER ABOUT ONE MONTH.

HER KIDS ARE FIVE, SIX AND 10.

>> SOME PEOPLE DID IT SO THAT THINGS COULD RETURN TO NORMAL BUT ON THE FLIPSIDE, WHAT HARM?

I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY CRAZY SIDE EFFECTS?

>> THEY DECIDED TO PICK A DOSE THAT WOULD BE SAFE.

BUT IT IS NOT QUITE AS EFFECTIVE AS A HIGHER DOSE .

>> Reporter: VACCINATION EXPERTS SAY THAT PFIZER DELIBERATELY AIRED ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION, IN THE DOES 40 KIDS TO ONE THIRD OF THE ADULT SHOT.

DATA FROM THOUSANDS OF NEW YORK KIDS, AGES 5-11 INDICATE THAT THE VACCINATION ABILITY TO PREVENT INFECTIONS DROPPED FROM 68 DOWN TO 12% IN JUST OVER A MONTH.

IT DID BETTER AT STOPPING HOSPITALIZATIONS WHERE EFFICACY DROPPED DOWN TO 48%.

BUT COMPARE THAT TO OLDER KIDS WHO GOT REGULAR DOSES AND STILL HAD 51% INFECTION PROTECTION AND 73% PROTECTION OF HOSPITALIZATION.

>> THE THEORY IS THAT SOME VACCINE IS BETTER THAN NONE.

IT IT IS A REPUTABLE DECISION BUT THEY WOULD HAVE DONE BETTER IF IT WAS A HIGHER DOSE BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW.

>> THERE IS A LEVEL OF COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT YOUR KIDS WERE VACCINATED WITH ONE OR TWO DOSES AND THAT WOULD REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WOULD COME HOME AND SPREAD THE VIRUS.

THAT IS BEING TAKEN AWAY.

>> Reporter: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST FEARS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF THE MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED AT NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS BUT KID VACCINATIONS ARE NOT AS PROTECTIVE AS ONCE BELIEVED.

>> WE ARE SENDING KIDS AGES 5- 11 INTO SCHOOLS WITH LIMITED PROTECTION AGAINST OMICRON AND THE NEXT VARIANT.

IT WILL SET EVERYBODY INTO A TAILSPIN.

IT >> Reporter: THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEW JERSEY SHOW VACCINATION PERFORMANCE OVER AGE GROUPS.

SO WITH THE SENATOR WHO WANTS MORE INPUT ON VACCINATION REGULATIONS.

ALTHOUGH COVID-19 SHOTS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

>> BEFORE WE ENTERTAIN ADDITIONAL MANDATES WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, SCIENTIFICALLY, AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY SET SHOTS IN THESE AGE GROUPS ARE DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS A 10-YEAR- OLD SON WHO GOT COVID-19 OVER THE SUMMER.

WILL SHE GET THEM VACCINATED NOW?

>> I WILL WAIT.

I SEE NO REASON TO GO GET THEM VACCINATED AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME AS THE NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED SO SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE ARE THE EFFICACY RATE OF THIS PARTICULAR -- THIS VACCINE -- IT JUST BY 12% IN ONE MONTH.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER MOTHER HAS THE SAME POSITION.

IT SHE HAS DAUGHTERS SEVEN AND 10 .

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO RUSH OFF TO GET VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: PFIZER WITH EIGHT FDA APPROVAL FOR A BOOSTER OR A BIGGER DOSE.

>> TRYING TO FIND THE SWEET SPOT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANIGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAVE BEEN PRAISED AS HEROES OF THE LAST TWO YEARS BUT THEY ARE DITCHING THEIR SCRUBS BEFORE GOING OUT IN PUBLIC.

RISING VIOLENCE AGAINST HEALTHCARE OFFICIALS CONTINUES AND A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS BEING INTRODUCED TO PROTECT THEM AGAINST A THREAT OF VIOLENCE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> THE PRESSURE IS ON THEM NOT JUST AT THE BEDSIDE.

THE LAST THING THEY NEED TO THINK ABOUT IS, NOT JUST PHYSICAL SAFETY BUT ON WORKSITE.

IT >> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR FOR THE HEALTHCARE LABOR FACILITY SAYS THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME.

>> ONE NURSE WAS HEADED OVER THE HEAD WITH A TWO BY FOUR.

AND A FAMILY MEMBER WHO CAME INTO THE YEAR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE OUT OF WORK FOR A LONG TIME.

THOSE TYPES OF ASSAULTS, UNFORTUNATELY, ESPECIALLY IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ARE WAY TOO OFTEN.

A TRUCK THEY ARE APPLAUDING STATE LAW MARK YOURS.

A SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND SENATOR TROY SINGLETON ARE SPONSORING A BOARD CALLED THE HEALTHCARE HEROES PREVENTION ACT.

IF SOMEBODY OF VIOLATES THE HEALTHCARE WORKER THEY WOULD FACE A TOUGHER PENALTY THAN WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS NOW.

>> IT WOULD BE 3-5 YEARS IN PRISON AND UP TO $15,000 FINE.

FOURTH DEGREE IS UP TO 18 MONTHS AND UP TO A $10,000 FINE.

SO, THIS WOULD GIVE GREATER DISCRETION TO THE JUDGE AND IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO IMPOSE STRICTER PENALTIES.

TAKING IT FROM A DISORDERLY OFFENSE.

>> Reporter: VIOLENCE AGAINST HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAS BEEN A CONCERN.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS THEY ARE FIVE TIMES AS MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER A WORKPLACE INJURY THAN ANY OTHER PROFESSION.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACCOUNT FOR 73% OF ALL NONFATAL WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES DUE TO WORK-RELATED INCIDENTS.

>> THEY ARE FEELING ANXIETY, STRESS AND FEAR AND CERTAINLY, WITH COVID-19 WE SAW AN INCREASE IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.

A LOVE IT A LOT OF IT IS PEOPLE COME IN THAT ARE UNDER STRESS AND TRIED TO NAVIGATE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

WHAT WE DO IS IMPACTFUL AND PURPOSEFUL.

WE SHOULD NOT BE GETTING HURT ON THE JOB BY PEOPLE THAT ARE ASSAULTING STAFF WITH THREATENING STAFF.

>>> HEALTH ADVOCATES AGREE THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, CREATING STRICTER PENALTIES IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THEY THINK MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> I WISH THIS WOULD GO A STEP FURTHER IN TERMS OF MAKING IT A FELONY FOR ASSAULTING A HEALTHCARE WORKER.

IF YOU ASSAULT SOMEBODY ON THE STREET, YOU COULD BE FACING COURT AND HEFTY FINES BUT ALSO BEING ON RECORD FOR A LONG TIME.

AND TO TAKE IT FURTHER, I THINK WITH THE IDEA.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION RECOMMENDS THAT THE OFFENDER PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE IN ADDITION TO SENTENCING, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE ATTACK.

THEY HAVE ALSO HELP IT WILL SERVE AS A DETERRA AND.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> ALMOST 500 PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN NEW JERSEY ARE OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND MANY SUFFER FROM A HOST OF ISSUES INCLUDING DIABETES, HEARING IMPAIRMENTS AND MORE AND THEY SAID THAT PRISONS WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR ELDERLY INMATES AND ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THEIR NEEDS BUT THE WAR ON DRUGS, MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES AND THE PAROLE SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT RELEASE PEOPLE CONVICTED OF VIOLENT CRIMES, EVEN WITH THE DATA SUGGEST THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO REOFFEND IS FORCING CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES TO KEEP PEOPLE LONGER AND TRY TO KNEW THE NEEDS OF SENIORS BEHIND BARS.

SO WHY ARE THE AGES NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, COLLEEN ALL DAY JOINS ME WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: YOUR ARTICLE RAISES A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM.

WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

>> Reporter: PRISONS WERE NOT BUILT FOR OLDER PEOPLE.

AND THEY WERE BUILT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A TROUBLE AMBULATING AND DON'T HAVE SERIOUS ILLNESSES.

THEY CAN FEED THEMSELVES AND GET AROUND.

MORE AND MORE, AS THE PRISON POPULATION AGES, WE ARE FINDING THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH A WHOLE HOST OF PROBLEMS.

THAT OLDER PEOPLE DON'T HAVE.

PRISON IS KNOWN TO AGE A PERSON SO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GERIATRIC PRISONERS WE THINK OF PEOPLE THAT ARE AGE 50 AND OLDER RATHER THAN 65 AND OLDER.

THE STATE HAS ABOUT 2600 PEOPLE THAT FALL INTO THE CATEGORY.

THAT IS ABOUT TO IN 10 PRISONERS.

>> Reporter: INMATES ARE ACCOUNTING FOR AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF THE POPULATION BUT WHY IS IT GROWING SO FAST?

>> PART OF THIS IS DUE TO THE TOUGH ON CRIME MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES KIND OF MENTALITY THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR QUITE A WHILE.

SOME OF THAT IS CHANGING BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN AND UNDER MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES SO THEY CANNOT GET OUT EARLIER.

AND REALLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PAROLE SYSTEM.

BECAUSE ONCE FOLKS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT OFFENSE, IT IS DIFFICULT, THE DATA SHOWS, TO GET OUT ON PAROLE.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE OLDER A PERSON GETS, THE LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO REOFFEND.

>> CALLING, WHAT TOLL HAS THE AGING PRISON POPULATION HAD ON THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS?

>> IT IS GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO CARE FOR THESE FOLKS.

AND PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, ASTHMA, CANCER, HEART DISEASE.

KIDNEY DIALYSIS.

THEY NEED TO GO OUT TWO OR THREE TIMES PER WEEK TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET DIALYSIS.

SO YOU HAVE MORE AND MORE, THE PRISONS ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

SOUTHWOOD STATE PRISON HAS A SECTION THAT IS ESSENTIALLY A HOSPICE UNIT FOR FOLKS THAT ARE DYING.

AND THEY NEED TREMENDOUS CARE.

THIS IS GETTING EXPENSIVE.

IT IS A HARD THING FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WHO MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TRAINED TO DEAL WITH IT.

AND IT IS HARD FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE OUTSIDE, TO KNOW THAT THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE BEST CARE THAT THEY COULD GET IF THEY WERE OUTSIDE.

IF THEY WERE ABLE TO GO TO REGULAR DOCTORS TO A HOSPITAL WHEN THEY NEED TO.

>> CALLING, EXCELLENT REPORTING AND THANK YOU, FIRST SPEAKING WITH ME.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>>> FOR MORE OF THE REPORTED BY CALLING, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> GLOBAL RESERVES OF OIL ARE BEING RELEASED.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN INSURGENTS IS HAVING.

>>> THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE SENT OIL PRICES SURGING ABOVE $100 PER BARREL.

TO TRY TO KEEP PRICES IN CHECK A GLOBAL CONSORTIUM AGREED TO RELEASE OIL FROM GLOBAL RESERVES.

THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY DESCRIBED IT AS VERY SERIOUS ADDING, GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY IS UNDER THREAT, PUTTING THE WORLD ECONOMY AT RISK.

AS WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING, THOSE IN NEW JERSEY ARE EXTENDING REPORT TO UKRAINE., JERSEY CITY BASED ON GOYETTE FOODS IS SENDING THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF FOOD TO UKRAINE.

AND TO POLAND.

THEY ARE ALSO RESPONDING INCLUDING AIRBNB WHICH WILL PROVIDE FREE USE SHORT-TERM HOUSING FOR REFUGEES.

>>> A REFUGEE PROMINENT CEO IS RETIRING.

THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF RJ W BARNABAS HEALTH WILL BE RETIRING.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO PUSH FOR A CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDIT DURING THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TONIGHT.

I PSEG THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE CLIMATE COMMITMENT.

IT THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER HIGHLIGHTED STEPS TAKEN.

>> WE HAVE DIVESTED OURSELVES FROM FOSSIL FUEL GENERATING PLANTS AND THAT IS A STRONG INDICATION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO CLEAN ENERGY AS WELL AS THE COMMITMENT TO OFFSHORE WIND EFFORTS IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> A LONG-STANDING TRADITION IN NEW JERSEY, A BAN ON PUMPING YOUR OWN GAS COULD BE COMING TO AN END UNDER A BIPARTISAN BILL INTRODUCED IN THE ASSEMBLY.

IT WOULD REQUIRE GAS STATIONS WITH FOUR OR MORE PROBES TO CONTINUE OFFERING FULL SERVICE BUT OTHER GAS STATIONS COULD OFFER SELF-SERVICE.

NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT BANS SELF- SERVICE.

THAT LAW HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE 1949.

>>> ON WALL STREET THE NASDAQ HAS SUSPENDED TRADING OF STOCKS OF RUSSIAN COMPANIES.

NOW WE WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FOR WALL STREET TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PRESENTED BY LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH AND LEADING THE WAY.

>>> BIG CHANGES ARE ON THE HORIZON THINGS TO AND NEW APPS ADOPTED FOR THE LEGISLATURE., POLITICAL WATCHERS ARE FOCUSED ON TWO DISTRICTS WERE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS WOULD BE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE LEGISLATIVE PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

A STANDOFF WAS DIFFUSED LAST WEEK WHEN NICHOLAS SACCO ANNOUNCED HE WOULD RETIRE RATHER THAN RUNNING AGAINST BRIAN STACK.

IN ESSEX COUNTY, THE PROSPECT OF AN INTERAGENCY FIGHT CONTINUES.

THERE ARE TWO STATE SENATORS THAT WOULD SHARE THE DISTRICT.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS CORRESPONDED TO DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> WE HAD A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION AND WE BELIEVE IT THAT WE.

WE ARE GOOD.

>> Reporter: SENATOR DICKERSON HE HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

HE GOES BACK TO THE 1974 ASSEMBLY AND HAS HAD ALL OF THE BIG JOBS SINCE THEN, INCLUDING SENATE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR.

HE KNOWS THAT A 2023 PRIMARY, MADE POSSIBLE BY REDISTRICTING, PUTS HIM AND SENATOR GUILD IN THE 27th IT DISTRICT AND THAT IS STILL A LONG TIME AWAY.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN POLITICS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR BUT OBSERVERS BELIEVE THAT IF THE PARTY HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CODY AND GILL TODAY, IT WOULD PROBABLY GIVE THE LINE TO CODY.

>> SENATOR GUILD WILL HAVE TO RUN OFF THE LINE.

THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT, DAVID, IS THAT BOTH OF THESE REALLY STRONG EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG CANDIDATES HAVE BOTH -- AND THEY ARE SOME OF THE FEW PEOPLE IN THE STATE THAT HAVE RUN OFF THE LINE AND ONE.

>> Reporter: THIS POTENTIAL MATCHUP BETWEEN THE VETERANS AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT DOWN THE LINE AS A RESULT OF REDISTRICTING.

THE PARTY-BASED PROCESS THAT TRIES TO MATCH UP VOTERS TO REPRESENTATIVES BY A NUMBER OF CRITERIA MOST FREQUENTLY, RACE.

IT IS A MIX OF SOCIAL ENGINEERING AND DIRECT GETTING.

>> WE HAVE REDISTRICTING AND PARTIES GET TO DECIDE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO DRAW THESE LINES.

IT PITS PEOPLE AGAINST EACH OTHER TO DECIDE HOW MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR WILL BE IN EACH DISTRICT AND THAT IS A HUGE ROLE IN DECIDING IF THOSE VOTERS HAVE ACTUALLY THE POWER TO ELECT THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOOSING.

THEN YOU HAVE THE LINE.

IT IS AN ISSUE AND CREATES A DISADVANTAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY CREATED THE 27th DISTRICT AND THAT MOVES AT MONTCLAIR AND CLIFTON INTO THE OLD 27th.

MONTCLAIR IS THE HOME BASE FOR SENATOR GILL BUT IT IS NOW IN WHAT HAD BEEN, THE DISTRICT THAT CODY WAS IN.

GILL HAS NOT SPOKEN BUT SHE INTENDS TO RUN ON OR OFF THE LINE.

THE IRONY IS THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF A MORE DIVERSE 27th DISTRICT TO PRODUCE A CANDIDATE OF COLOR SINCE DIMINISHED TO THE POINT WHERE DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU FOLLOW THE SOMETIMES ARCANE PARTY RULES OF SUCCESSION, YOU COULD SEE A CODY TICKET THAT INCLUDES A VETERANS TOM GIBLIN AND JOHN McKEON AS ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES.

THREE WHITE GUYS.

THAT WOULD BE QUITE NOTICEABLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE IN ESSEX COUNTY.

>> IN THIS DISTRICT WHERE INCUMBENTS ARE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER, WHITE VOTERS HAVE THE BIGGEST SAY.

SO WE WILL SEE WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> AS WE GROW AS A SOCIETY, DAVE, BLACK, BROWN, WHITE, EVENTUALLY THEY CAN RUN ANYWHERE.

IN THE CITY OF NEWARK WE HAVE A DISTRICT THAT IS REPRESENTED BY THREE WOMEN.

THAT IS GREAT.

LATINO AND ONE WHO IS AFRICAN- AMERICAN.

IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: IT IS WORTH REPEATING THAT THESE THEORETICAL PRIMARIES ARE MORE THAN ONE YEAR AWAY AND NOBODY WANTS TO ABUSE THE PRIMARY WITH RACIAL AND GENDER OVERTONES.

DEMOCRATS ARE ASSURED THAT THEY WILL WORK IT ALL OUT.

AND SURVIVE ANOTHER PERIOD OF UNREST.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT .

WE MODERATE A PANEL OF EXPERTS EXPLORING THE WHITE HOUSE INSTRUCTION ZOOM.

THAT IS TOMORROW AT 4:00 P.M. HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO WEIGH IN.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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