This article originally appeared on politickernj.com.

Jersey City was the main winner last night.

The whole state watched as a trough of political animals went ballistic on one another, then finished the night as gentlemen.

Along the way, hard-edged Hudson County types and out-of-towners turned residents alike marveled at the way the people here played the American political game.

As they say on the other side of the Hackensack, when the history of world politics is written, a chapter will belong to Hudson.

This editorial originally appeared in The Star-Ledger

Finally, the people of Jersey City have a chance to fire their mayor, a man who is ineffective, unethical and often downright embarrassing.

It is an act of chutzpah for Mayor Jerramiah Healy to place his name on the ballot after the bulk of his inner circle was convicted on corruption charges in the 2009 Operation Bid Rig case. Healy wants voters to believe he knew nothing, that his senior people were taking cash-stuffed envelopes behind his back.

To say that's hard to believe is being kind. But if it is true, Healy was dangerously clueless about the culture of his own team. Either way, he owes an apology he never delivered. Time for voters say thank you by easing his passage into early retirement.

This editorial originally appeared in The Jersey Journal.

The Jersey Journal endorses Downtown Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop for mayor.

There are four people who are asking the voters to elect them to the city's highest office. With Fulop, this newspaper believes the city has the best chance to use its superior inherent qualities — its geography, people and resources — to become one of the nation's prominent municipalities.

Fulop has the leadership and sound decision-making abilities to select the right path for Jersey City's journey through the 21st century. He has the vision and commitment to make this city a place that will sustain its residents and improve their lives and that of their children.

The smoke and mirrors employed by the current administration for the last eight and a half years have not allowed all of Jersey City to reach its potential. The city, and more important its people, deserve so much better.

Photo by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal This originally appeared in The Jersey Journal.

The Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen and the NJ Sharing Network held a flag raising ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, to celebrate the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Here, CEO of the NJ Sharing Network Joseph Roth thanks donor families, organ and tissue donation recipients, the hospital, corporate and community partners.

This article originally appeared on takepart.com

Sylvia Blain, a mother of two sons, knows the opportunities that come with charter schools.

Blain, who lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas, sent her sons to a local charter school for several years before transitioning them into traditional public schools. Both children, however, had vastly different experiences at the charter school.

"One child was very geared to the math and science focus of the school," Blain told TakePart. "The other child found that his creative needs were not met. I did feel like the smaller student-to-teacher ratio was a plus for us and the relationships we made with the staff were more personal. The school went out of its way to learn as much as they could about the individual child in order to cater to their academic needs." 

This article originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press.

Jamel Curtis Holley, a 1997 graduate of Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, New Jersey, has been regarded as one of the most engaged young activist known throughout his community. Known for his spirited energy and focus, Jamel has incorporated advocacy with accomplishment to improve issues important to Borough residents and stakeholders. His demonstrated leadership has allowed him to bridge many gaps and foster relationships on everything from preserving Roselle taxpayers' dollars, to standing up for the creation of good government spending practices, to supporting youth recreation, and preserving open space.

The Newark School of the Arts was recently featured on "Viewpoints" with Christopher Michael. Continue reading to listen to the discussion

This article originally appeared on NJ.com.

Amid the grief of losing her 17-month-old daughter, Victoria, to a head injury, Erin DeVivo knew one thing with clarity - she wanted her child to be an organ donor.

"I was compelled to do it - I knew it was the right thing to do," DeVivo said. "I could not bear the thought of another mother and father experiencing what I was going through."

Victoria's heart was transplanted into a 2-year-old boy. Now, fifteen years later, her mother continues to be an advocate for organ donation.

This article originally appeared on Associated Press.

TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will likely face questions about the Rutgers University men's basketball scandal.

Christie on Monday will face reporters for the first time since a video surfaced showing coach Mike Rice throwing basketballs at players and berating them with gay slurs.

Christie was on vacation last week when Rice was fired and athletic director Tim Pernetti resigned over his failure to fire Rice in December after reviewing the video.

The governor said he supported Rice's firing and said Pernetti's resignation was appropriate. Christie also said Rutgers President Robert Barchi (BAR'-chee) showed "decisive leadership."