Frank Lautenberg

Gov. Jon Corzine: Politicker photo

No sitting statewide Democrat enjoys what might be called popularity in public office here in New Jersey, according to a Friday Strategic Vision poll.

But Republicans continue to carry the dead weight numbers registered by President George W. Bush.

Up for re-election next year, the poll shows Gov. Jon Corzine with an upside-down job approval rating of 39/47%, and 14% undecided.

It also shows Bush running out of room before he bottoms out, with just 15% of voters approving of his job performance, 70% disapproving, and 14% undecided.

Joe Cryan, chairman of the Democratic State Committee, announced onMichael Muller Thursday the party’s selection of Michael Muller of Mount Laurel to run the Democratic Party’s "coordinated campaign" operation in New Jersey.

"This is an important election year that offers opportunities for Democrats at all levels," said Cryan. "We have the best candidates, we have the issues on our side and we have a strong Democratic tide fueled by the accumulated failures of George Bush and the Republicans. Hard working and skilled campaign staffers such as Michael will help convert Democratic advantages into Election Day victories."

Associate Executive Director for Communications for the Assembly Democratic Majority, Muller served as campaign director for Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) presidential primary race in New Jersey.

As today marks the filing deadline for FEC reports, PolitickerNJ.com has reported totals as the numbers have become available. Below are links to our complete coverage, broken down by races.

United States Senate candidate Dick Zimmer raised about $273,000 since May 15th, bringing his total raised since entering the race in April to $751,555.

Zimmer has $411,029 on hand.

“Considering that my fundraising began in mid-April, I am very encouraged by the level of support I have received in such a short amount of time,” said Zimmer. “It is clear that, as the cost of living in New Jersey becomes more and more unaffordable, New Jerseyans want more effective leadership in Washington.”

Team Lautenberg may have handled U.S. Rep Rob Andrews (D-1) in the Democratic Primary, but the bats of U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell’s (D-8) Silk City Sluggers proved too much for the senatorial nine last night in Clifton.

Pascrell’s gang defeated Team Lautenberg 7-3 at Sperling Park.

Lautenberg pitcher Steve Lenox worked some guile on the mound, and centerfielder Michael Pagan pulled some bang-up plays, but ultimately to no avail.

Silk City manager and third baseman Fahim Abedrabbo of Clifton homered for the Paterson diehards, as did former Pascrell field rep. and current Lautenberg aide/team manager Michael Venezia of Bloomfield.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg leads Republican challenger Dick Zimmer 49%-36%, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released today.

The poll also shows Gov. Jon Corzine approval rating at only 27%, while 40% disapprove. That’s a slight drop from last month.

The poll comes after two other recent polls from other organizations showed Lautenberg leading Zimmer by large margins, although a Rasmussen poll from early last month – just after both won their respective primaries-- showed the two in a statistical dead heat.

Lautenberg heads back to the phones for money: Politicker photo 

Now the cash rebuilding effort begins for Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

Coming off of a blowout victory over South Jersey challenger U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1) in the Democratic Primary, Lautenberg is starting with $1.3 million in the bank in mid-summer as he heads toward his November mano-a-mano with Republican candidate and former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer.

The Lautenberg campaign spent $5 million against the upstart Andrews, according to sources close to the U.S. Senator.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) had feared a Lautenberg dollar drain, and quickly went to the phones to try to take the steam out of Andrews when the congressman pawed the turf in the late days of April.

Samantha Maltzman is Frank Lautenberg's new Finance DirectorThe former finance director for Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign has joined the re-election team of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).

Samantha Maltzman starts work today as finance director for Lautenberg, who's running against challenger, former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer.

After his primary with U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1), Lautenberg is in financial rebuilding mode, and that's where the campaign intends to make use of Maltzman's expertise.

Judge Michelle Hollar-Gregory swears in Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, left, as Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) looks on. 

ORANGE - The son of a former beauty queen and crusading Civil Rights attorney, Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., took the oath of office today as Mayor of the City of Orange in a well-attended and star-studded ceremony in the Middle School auditorium.

"On Day One of our new administration, I don’t say to you, 'Just watch what I can do in City Hall,'" the new mayor challenged the crowd. "Instead, I say, 'Get involved in every way that you can.' Together we will create new ways for you to participate in the building of a better and more prosperous Orange.

"And I say, 'Come with me to City Hall, and together, we’re going to turn our city around!' The future is now!"

Elected two months ago to replace the now convicted Mayor Mims Hackett, Hawkins literally walked up a red carpet rolled out onto the concrete in front of the school, and faced a sea of Orange residents and luminaries that included singing star Dionne Warwick.

Hawkins Chief of Staff Tai Cooper confers with Codey Chief A.J. Sabath 

ORANGE - In a packed auditorium at the Middle School this afternoon, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) saluted the newly sworn-in Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., and said he couldn’t go wrong with Tahirah "Tai" Cooper as his chief-of-staff.

Formerly Lautenberg’s Cooper senior project specialist out of the senator’s Newark office, Cooper is now officially with the Hawkins administration as the new mayor takes charge of Orange today.

One of the stars on stage paying tribute to the 29-year old Hawkins, Lautenberg sat in between Gov. Jon Corzine and Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex). In the audience were Newark Mayor Cory Booker and East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser.