Steve Fulop puts on a solid event. The fundraiser cost just $20, you got two free drink tickets, and the room was packed to the rims. Fulop himself does a good presentation- it's short and sweet (I don't think he spoke ten minutes), and he spends the majority of his time at the event out working the room, shaking hands and taking pictures with damn near everyone who wanted to do so. The crowd was incredibly diverse, and a bit younger than I'm used to seeing at New Jersey political events. The venue he picked was awesome, very millennial friendly, and had both good food and a good selection to drink. Fulop's speech centered in on his achievements as Mayor, talking about his advocacy for many groups who need it. The guy certainly hit all the right notes. I'm also partial to a shorter speech- you lose people after a while. If it's a fundraiser, go out and shake everyone who donated's hand.
There's a long way to go in the race for Governor in New Jersey, and I hope to see all of the main Democratic contenders at least once this year. Fulop has a great story, but his youthfulness could cut both ways with a primary electorate in an odd numbered year. I took away that he and Ambassador Phil Murphy are probably going to battle for the mantle of being the progressive champion in this race, while he will have to battle over record against Senate President Steve Sweeney. From what I saw though, he's a solid candidate with a fairly large following to start with, and if he can sell his work in Jersey City as a work of progressive art, Fulop will have a good chance at victory.
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