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Anchor: Coming up, three counts returned against a Democratic Congresswoman for allegedly assaulting two ice agents.

And a done deal for New Jersey transit and train engineers as union members approve a contract to boost pay and keep the trains running.

Also, the race for governor is locked in.

Congresswoman Mikey Cheryl will try to keep the highest office in the state under Democratic control.

>> Estate like this is not going to be led a Trump lackey.

Anchor: Republican Jack Ciattarelli looks to turn the state read.

>> Today the work begins.

Anchor: And reaction to the firing of all CDC vaccine panel experts.

>> Right now we are leaving all decision-making about vaccines in the hands of one or two or three people, which is never a good idea.

Anchor: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Rihanna Vannozzi.

Anchor: Good evening and thank you for joining us on this Wednesday night.

We begin with a few of today's top headlines.

First, a Congresswoman has been indicted on three federal charges for involvement in a confrontation outside an ice facility in work last month.

New Jersey's interim U.S. attorney announced the grand jury indictment Tuesday in a social media post.

Federal prosecutors allege MacGyver assaulted two immigration officers and interfered with their work during what they described as an unauthorized protest at Delaney Hall.

In the post, it was written in part, while people are free to express their views, they must not do so in a manner that endangers on enforcement and the communities the officers serve.

McIver and two other congresspeople were trying to conduct an oversight visit at the detention center which they said opened without proper permits.

A protest was taking place at the same time, when the Newark Mayor was also arrested.

McIver calls this a brazen attempt to political intimidation and says she will plead not guilty.

After years of negotiations and a three-day strike, the union for New Jersey transit train engineers has ratified their new contract.

The Brotherhood of locomotive engineers and train overwhelmingly voted to approve the deal although they are not sharing specific details.

We know the contract boosts wages to over $50 an hour and include the signing bonus.

Salaries were the sticking point in negotiations.

Union members wanted parity with other engineers in the New York region.

To get that the union had to make concessions to fund the pay increases.

Trains came to a halt just after midnight Friday, May 16, and the strike went through the weekend.

It was the first time engineers walked off the job in 40 years.

The New Jersey transit board needs to approve the contract.

At a public meeting today, the CEO said the union got a fair wage that was fiscally responsible to taxpayers, adding it's time for everyone to get back to business.

The general chairman said in a statement today, all along we said we did not want to be the highest paid engineers, we wanted equal pay for equal work.

A major offshore wind project is giving up in New Jersey for now.

Atlantic Shores offshore wind last week asked the State Board of Public utilities to withdraw from a lucrative funding package that would have paid for the project, which called for building up to 197 turbines, generating 2800 megawatts of power, about nine miles off of Long Beach Island.

It came closer to the finish line than any other offshore winch -- wind project in the state so far and was teed up for the start of construction for President Trump returned to office.

In the petition, Atlantic Shores said the project is no longer viable because of new challenges brought by the Trump Administration.

The Atlantic Shores CEO said the latest move is just a reset and not the end of the project, leaving the door open for the company to try again at a time when New Jersey and the region face a growing energy prices -- crisis.

Proponents have said the benefits of offshore wind offset those who have said they are concerned about impacts to tourism and threats to marine life despite evidence showing otherwise.

The match up for the New Jersey governor's race is set.

Democratic Congress when Mikey Cheryl landed her parties nomination in a hotly contested race, while former Republican a some women Jack Ciattarelli won the GOP by a landslide.

Each has hurdles to overcome.

Jackie Cheryl -- Maggie Cheryl is trying to keep Democrats in power for a third consecutive term, something that hasn't been done since 1961.

Joanna Gagis reports.

Reporter: -- >> A state like this is not going to be led a Trump lackey like Jack to to rally.

Reporter: She came out swinging as she took her victory lap last night.

Mikey Cheryl locking up the nomination for Governor of New Jersey.

She immediately took aim at her Republican opponent.

>> I am ready to make life more affordable for families.

Jack has raised taxes at every level of government.

He raised taxes as a councilmember.

He raised taxes as a commissioner.

You guessed it, your taxes went up when he was an assembly member.

Reporter: Some say the election is a referendum on President Trump, the DNC counting on that.

The national organization is jumping into the race alongside Cheryl capitalize on the anti-Trump sentiment among Democrats and undecided voters.

>> This is where we stop Donald Trump, that's where this begins and it's about investing time, energy and resources.

But is not just that.

It's about showing New Jerseyans you care about them.

She has won a historically red congressional district, back in 2018.

She has appeal across the aisle.

Reporter: Jack to Terrel he told supporters last night he will make a drinking game out of how many times Cheryl invokes Trump when coming after him but she wasted no time going after Jack directly.

>> I-5 for Superstorm Sandy relief and helped bring home millions for hard-hit New Jersey families.

[APPLAUSE] Jack voted against relief for Sandy victims three times.

[booing] Screwing thousands of homeowners at one of the worst moments of their lives.

Listen, I'm going to protect our rights, including the right to an abortion.

[APPLAUSE] Jack has pledged to implement an abortion ban and defund Planned Parenthood.

I am ready to shake up the status quo.

And he is the status quo.

Reporter: sherrill won handily among five other opponents, including the Newark Mayor, who surprised insiders by coming in second.

Stephen Fulop signaled in his concession speech last night he will back Sherrill in the general election.

>> The state is at a crossroads and although tonight wasn't what we wanted, it's important we work hard to make sure a Democrat it's elected in November.

Reporter: But Baraka was much less conciliatory, signaling he's not going anywhere.

>> My voice is going to grow and grow and grow.

I'm excited what the future portends in this state, that these bosses, their days are over.

[APPLAUSE] That this line is finished, that we wanted to put it all the way in the ground.

That they no longer can pick candidates for us.

Reporter: The county line may be gone but it's impossible to deny the role of the Democratic Party establishment in the congresswoman's campaign, which the Democratic committee chair acknowledged last night.

>> Its organization, organization.

I was never a believer in the line and I don't think that mattered.

What mattered was good candidates, good operation and good execution.

Reporter: Jones said today begins the work of uniting other candidates to rebuild a solid Democratic Party that can win in November.

I am Joanna Gagis.

Anchor: Not only did Jack Ciattarelli sweep the vote in all 21 counties, the race was called in his favor just 17 minutes after polls closed.

The former lawmaker thanked President Trump for his support during his victory speech last night, a factor that all but sealed the deal in his decisive win, and having come just a three points shy of defeating Governor Murphy in 2021, chitter rally wasted no time getting back on the trail.

Brenda Flanagan was there.

>> Feeling great.

We have work to do.

Reporter: Day one and Jack Ciattarelli hit the ground running for governor at a Colombian bakery in Dover, a subtly Democratic town where 75% of residents identify as Latino.

The venue made perfect political sense.

The primary victory was virtually assured after his endorsement by Donald Trump, who posted a pat on the back on truth social.

The president pulled in 43% of jerseys Latino vote last November according to the Associated Press.

Do the math.

>> In Dover, the Hispanic conservative population is like an unclaimed jewel and we hope to get a lot of jackboots out of Dover.

>> The Hispanic community in New Jersey is critical to victory this November and we seen the last few years and in the state of New Jersey, it has been gravitating more toward the Republican Party and it's time to seal the deal.

Reporter: The GOP committee exec says Trump will campaign here beside Ciattarelli in a full-court press to flip New Jersey red.

It's a referendum on Trump that will unfold under a white-hot media spotlight.

But the Somerville native savored his win last night.

Ciattarelli won yesterday's try Merry in a landslide with almost 68% of the Republican vote.

It is his third shot at the front office and trended in he took a preemptive strike against his Democratic opponent over the Trump factor.

>> Mark my words.

While we focus on key New Jersey issues, my Democratic opponent will do everything in her power to change the subject.

Trust me.

If this campaign were a drinking game and you took a shot every time she says Trump, you will be drunk every day.

[LAUGHTER] Drunk off your ass every day between now and November 4.

Reporter: He called her Phil Murphy 2.0 and his campaign will seek to tie here to what Republicans claim is a Democratic Party legacy of high taxes, on affordability and woke policies be the gloves came up immediately on Ciattarelli's new opposition website.

>> Broke on ethics.

>> She also got filthy rich in Congress.

She tripled her net worth on a $174,000 salary.

Reporter: Sherrill's campaign replied that Jack is beginning his campaign with desperate lies.

Mikey does not own or treat individual stocks and outside experts have said she has gone above and beyond house ethics rules.

Ciattarelli told supporters he will welcome Democrats and unaffiliated voters and urged Republican unity after a bruising primary campaign against a conservative talk show host who won almost 22% of the vote.

But his opponent is not offering support and slammed him last night.

>> He spent millions of dollars before we had raised our first dollar and they told a lot of lies and the attacks were vicious.

It didn't help that the president came in and supported a never Trumper.

>> I didn't expect him to support me but the primary numbers, the Republican party in the state is united and we will win.

Reporter: The kickoff clued in multiple stops in several counties, the start of what promises to be a bitter and expensive political battle for what is arguably one of the most powerful governorships in the nation.

I am Brenda Flanagan.

Anchor: The lead up to November is expected to be ultracompetitive and expensive.

The gubernatorial race is also being watched nationally as an early indicator of the country's political mood during President Trump's second term.

Both parties have to grapple with antiestablishment sentiment and how to move forward while also keeping in mind the old party machines still have staying power.

For more insight on what's next in the election cycle, I'm joined by the director of the rather rich Institute for New Jersey politics.

A big night, the standardbearers for the parties won their respective tickets.

What needs to happen next?

Let's take each one at a time.

Moving into November, to win what will be a bruising battle?

>> I think they both are in strong shape.

Until last night I would have said if Jack Ciattarelli had half of his result and Sherrill had half of Democrats they would've been doing well.

They both blew past those marks and that suggests to me they will have an easier time unifying their party.

That said, they have work to do.

Ciattarelli has to reach across the divide and figure out how to get the support from Bill Spa dea, who did not support him.

Sherrill has challenges.

One of her opponents has a significant group of teachers behind him and she will be looking for their support.

She could be looking potentially to any of these five as potential running mates.

I think they both have to do what they can to bring the party together.

A team of rivals, whatever you want to call it him up but it would be smarter to reach out to the folks who got a lot of votes last night.

Anchor: I would add for Sherrill , differentiating herself from the Murphy administration, which is what she will be hearing.

Let me switch gears, you mentioned running mates.

Lieutenant governor pix have to be made by the end of July.

Are there any names circulating?

It's less than 24 hours since this was decided but any names?

Micah: It would be smart for Sherrill to consider her other candidates in the race.

I think she should also consider people like Troy Singleton, state Senator and a rising star in the party would do really well with a South Jersey candidate, African-American candidate, State Senator, really knows Trenton, knows how the game is played and knows policy in Trenton.

Similarly, Ciattarelli I think would do well to consider some legislators, Holly ship easy and others that no Trenton.

He put in six years in the assembly but that doesn't mean we don't want some buddy who can work with the current legislators.

It's been close to 10 years since he's been there.

Somebody who knows how to deal with the current -- Anchor: Does he need someone a little more conservative a little more in alignment with Bill Stadia and the folks that support him?

Some have said the fact that Spadea in 2021 did not endorse him and his followers didn't either, may have hurt Ciattarelli's chances and could come back to haunt him.

Micah: I think if Ciattarelli wants to provide ideological balance that would be smart but I don't think he's under any pressure having workman 21 counties -- having won 21 counties.

I think if you wanted to go for a more moderate person it would be counterintuitive given the number of votes he got.

He has a lot of latitude.

Anchor: A number of Democratic incumbents them up party backed candidates in the assembly, lost to insurgent challengers.

What should we make of that?

Is it proof that getting rid of the line creates more viable candidates to run in these elections?

Micah: I think getting rid of the line creates an opportunity that candidates can take advantage of if they work harder and smarter than opponents.

Some of them dead and I think that's where we are seeing people like out of the 35th district.

There are opportunities now.

What I think is not a guarantee, if you look at the 48 races, the organization still working on -- still won all but four or five.

Anchor: Always great to talk to you.

An abrupt move this year, the health and human services secretary fired all 17 members of the CDC vaccine advisory panel, replacing them with new members, saying it will restore public trust in shots.

Some health experts say the move will do the opposite.

The committee is made up of medical experts who make recommendations on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines.

Experts instead argue the change will politicize science and vaccine policy.

For more, I'm joined by the Dean of the records School of Public Health.

Good to talk to you.

I'm thinking about the role the panel plays and how dismissing 17 members at once might affect that and its ability to function.

>> Yeah, the advisory committee on immunization practices is a long-standing committee since 1964.

They have advised the United States through my entire life.

What they've done is consider vaccinations as they emerge, consider safety and usefulness, and have been giving information to those who have policy power to make decisions about what immunizations look like.

When you dismiss a group of people that consists of experts who are scientists, medical providers, community members, you are basically leaving the authority for decision-making as we saw a few weeks ago, in the hands of one or two people.

As we know, good science happens when we have debate and discussion and we consider all viewpoints.

The problem is right now we are leaving all decision-making about vaccines in this moment today in the hands of one or two or three people, which is never a good idea whether we are talking about political governance in the form of autocracy or scientific advising.

Anchor: How does that affect the CDC ability to plan ahead for what vaccines it needs to order, how much it needs, at what point?

And any ongoing evaluations of efficacy and safety -- would they be put on hold?

Dr. Halktis: Everything comes pretty much to a stop.

I understand RFK is planning to appoint people to this committee but the fact of the matter is we are pretty clear he's going to appoint people who will just do his bidding and Donald's bidding, which is basically anti-vaccination movements.

It puts everything at a halt.

The government has already stopped research on an HIV vaccine we've been waiting for over four decades and the bird flu vaccine we need.

And is going to interfere with the need for the annual flu vaccine, recommendations for COVID.

And all of the other infectious diseases that are bound to emerge and grow in our country if people continue not to know how to get vaccinated, and importantly, if people cannot get vaccinated because there are no recommendations for vaccination potentially, if there are no recommendations for vaccination, health care agencies don't have to cover the cost.

Who will be left behind?

People most at risk, often the poor and those extending multiple health morbidities.

Anchor: Among the reasons the secretary gave for making this move was these folks were appointed under the Biden administration and he felt doing this would restore public trust coming out of the COVID era.

What is your response to that and does this restore public trust?

Where do we stand?

Dr. Halktis: It would restore public trust if perhaps RFK had thought about the excellent scientists Biden appointed and kept some of them.

I'm not saying he had to keep all 17, but kept some of them who had very legitimate and very deep understandings of vaccines and other people, that would've been a better way to approach this.

This is a knee-jerk reaction and basically saying I'm not going to listen to the people Biden appointed because they must be tainted because Biden appointed them.

When you look at the list of 17 people, these are people anybody who has half a brain would appoint to an advisory committee.

He could have and should have if you wanted to, appointed people perhaps more skeptical about vaccines and then we would've had a balanced perspective.

Instead we are going potentially in a whole other direction where we will have an advisory panel that consists of people who do not support vaccination.

Anchor: We have to leave it there, thank you very much.

Dr. Halktis: My pleasure.

Anchor: That will do it for us tonight.

A sad note before we go.

Longtime Mercer County executive Brian Hughes has died.

He served in the role 20 years and was the son of former Governor Richard Hughes.

He's being remembered as a lifelong public servant.

He was 68 years old.

A reminder, you can download our podcast wherever you listen, and watch as any time by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

You can follow us on Instagram and blue sky to stay up-to-date on all of the big headlines.

For the entire team, thank you for being with us, have a great night and we will see you tomorrow.

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