The stench of machine politics thickened in Middlesex County last night as Democratic power brokers defiantly re-elected corporate lobbyist Kevin McCabe as their chairman—a calculated middle finger to reformers demanding ethical cleansing.
By acclamation, no less. No debate. No dissent. Just the greasy machinery of New Jersey’s political swamp grinding dissent into dust.
Two weeks after McCabe’s handpicked gubernatorial candidate, Mikie Sherrill, clinched her primary by 13 points, the fix was in.
Sherrill herself marched into the meeting flanked by State Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones—another lobbyist swimming in the same murky waters.
Their presence wasn’t unity; it was a brazen spit in the face of reformers like Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who dared propose banning lobbyists from party leadership.
The party bosses sent progressive Democrats the message, “This is our kingdom,” one-and-a-half weeks after they orchestrated No Kings rallies almost everywhere except in the streets of DC, where King Trump was watching his parade.
Let’s be clear: McCabe isn’t a leader—he’s a cartel boss.
His lobbying firm, River Crossing Strategy Group, helps developers and folks like Elon Musk have their way, while he chairs the county’s Democratic machinery.
McCabe preaches diversity, yet in 2023 butchered Edison’s Democratic committee—purging 53 qualified women and installing a male-dominated roster (75% men).
His defense of New Jersey’s corrupt “county line” system—torpedoed by a federal judge as unconstitutional last year—proves his allegiance is to control, not democracy.
McCabe was Labor Commissioner under Governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned in disgrace in 2004.
Republican Governor Chris Christie appointed McCabe as one of New Jersey’s five Port Authority commissioners.
Reappointed by Murphy.
He co-wrote a book on single mothers’ struggles while his lobby shop squeezed small businesses.
Remember Teterboro? McCabe’s firm collaborated with Christie to create a special class of liquor licenses for a mega-developer—screwing mom-and-pop holders whose licenses are worth $1 million.
As Middlesex’s undisputed kingmaker, McCabe loomed over the 2025 gubernatorial primary. The state’s two Blue Dog Democrats (aka pro-choice Republicans) ~Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer~ knelt before his throne.
Reformers howl into the void, but the “acclamation” wasn’t victory—it was a funeral for accountability.
The swamp isn’t in Washington. It’s festering in Middlesex.
And tonight, the swamp creatures are laughing at you.