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Colleen O'Dea

@colleenodea.bsky.social
209 followers 93 following 154 posts

Lifelong Jersey journo, NJ Spotlight News senior writer, Bruce IS the boss, my posts are my own.

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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
As the court case over the USPS mail ballot rule continues with an unclear outcome, current concerned NJ VBM users can act: Contact your county clerk & ask to be removed from the mail-in list. Clerks' contact info: www.nj.gov/state/electi.... Act fast, as they are prepping the ballot mailing.
nj.gov
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
NJ fed judge today dismissed US DOJ's attempt to force the state to provide its unredacted voter database (with driver license numbers and partial SSNs). It's the latest in a series of losses for the Trump administration's efforts to get state voter data. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
Opinion – #107 in United States v. CALDWELL (D.N.J., 3:26-cv-02025) – CourtListener.com
OPINION Filed. Signed by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on 7/29/2026. (jal, ) (Entered: 07/29/2026)
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
WOW, Inside Elections just moved NJ CD7 Rep. Kean Jr. vs @rebeccabennettforcongress.com from tossup to Tilt Democratic. www.insideelections.com/ratings/house
insideelections.com
House Ratings
Inside Elections is a non-partisan newsletter covering U.S. House, Senate, and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics, and political developments.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
In NJ, it's Rebecca Bennett in CD7 & Adam Hamawy in CD12. Hamawy all but certain to win the blue district. Bennett has a tough fight ahead to unseat incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr. In her victory speech, she called Kean a "coward." @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/nj-p...
njspotlightnews.org
Tom Kean gets Democratic challenger in Rebecca Bennett | NJ Spotlight News
Incumbent's 7th District race grabs national interest as GOP seeks to maintain control of Congress, and 12th District drew a dozen Democrats
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
What's better than an I voted sticker? 2 stickers! If you haven't voted yet in NJ, do it now or at least make a plan. And learn about the federal races and candidates from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/hott...
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Jimmy Kimmel @jimmykimmel.com · 21/05/2026
Tonight we congratulate our friend Stephen Colbert and his writers, staff and crew for eleven years of excellence. Watch Colbert’s finale tonight, and then never watch CBS again.
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Black Intellect Media @blackintellect.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
New push to regulate artificial intelligence in NJ: Lawmaker seeks disclosures on content, would allow people to sue over misuse of voice or likeness. reporting by @colleenodea.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/new-...
njspotlightnews.org
New push to regulate artificial intelligence in NJ | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmaker seeks disclosures on content, would allow people to sue over misuse of voice or likeness
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Tough talk from @AnaliliaForNJ in her victory speech in NJ CD 11 www.njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Spotlight News
News, Issues and Insight for New Jersey
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Crowd at @analiliafornj.bsky.social HQ hearing from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, longtime union leader Hetty Rosenstein and others as they wait for the main attraction after a very early call by AP. Results: www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/11th...
njspotlightnews.org
11th Congressional District Special Election Results | NJ Spotlight News
Live results of the election to fill the seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill until Jan. 3.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
NJ CD11, ~10% of registrants have voted. 61% Dem, 25% GOP, 14% Other. Early in-person done. VBMs still coming in - deadline 8 pm tomorrow (if using USPS, bring to counter for hand stamp or your vote may not count) Polls open 6 am - 8 pm tomorrow. More info: www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Early voting update in NJ CD 11: 54.3K total, 62% Dem, 25% GOP, 14% other Election is just two days away now. In-person early voting ends today at 8 p.m. Polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm Thursday. More info: www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Dan Cassino @dancassino.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Norm in these races has been ~D+20 going into Election Day. This is looking like a blowout. Which likely helps insulate Mejia from a strong Republican challenger going forward for a while.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
More than 50K have voted early in NJ CD11 @analiliafornj.bsky.social and Joe Hathaway 62% Dem, 24% GOP, 14% Other Still haven't voted? Check out our voter guide www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Latest early voting numbers, thru end of day April 8
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Voting started in NJ CD11 special election. 66% of early voters are Dems. Updating the numbers www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/vote... Important points: Only those who live in CD11 and are already registered can vote. Early in-person voting ends April 14. Election Day is April 16 (6 am - 8 pm)
njspotlightnews.org
Voters choosing Sherrill replacement in 11th Congressional District | NJ Spotlight News
Registered Democrats are casting more ballots than Republicans, according to analysis of mail and early in-person returns
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Well that didn't take long. NJ & 22 states sue Trump Admin over "unlawful Executive Order attempting to exert federal control over elections" That's the Mar. 31 EO re USPS and voting lists. NJ has been sued by feds for refusing to turn over voter rolls files.constantcontact.com/1e111cc1901/...
files.constantcontact.com
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John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
A new report says the significant electricity rate hikes that hit consumers hard in NJ last year were mostly due to increased data center power usage and a lack of new energy sources. Reporting by @colleenodea.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org.
njspotlightnews.org
Regulate data centers to prevent higher power rates, report urges | NJ Spotlight News
'Hidden costs' run from few permanent jobs to more pollution, policy group says, and New Jersey in a position to shape regional standards
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Benjamin Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The Trump administration is building a national detention and deportation machine, including in New Jersey. My colleagues (like Colleen) and I at @njspotlightnews.org are all over this topic ---> #ICE #deportation
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Brenda Flanagan @bflanagannj.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
From @colleenodea.bsky.social: Immigrant-protection bills head to Sherrill after fierce debate www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/immi...
njspotlightnews.org
Immigrant-protection bills head to Sherrill after fierce debate | NJ Spotlight News
'Direct attack on law enforcement,' one Republican says, while Democrats hail push against federal policies
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Carrie Brown @brizzyc.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
"For a bit more than two weeks of this war, we could offer free college education to every American family earning less than $125,000 annually" www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/o... by @nickkristof.bsky.social
nytimes.com
Opinion | The $1.3-Million-a-Minute War
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
NJ and Roxbury sue feds over planned immigrant detention center. From Gov. Mikie Sherrill: “The administration may think it's above the law, but it will soon find out that that is not the case.” @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/new-...
njspotlightnews.org
New Jersey, Roxbury sue to block ICE plan for detention center | NJ Spotlight News
Similar litigation in Maryland, where federal judge extended injunction holding up a similarly sized project
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
DHS paid more than 2x the assessed value of a Roxbury warehouse for ICE detention. Twp conferring with NJ AG over possible suit. @NJSpotlightNews.com www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/resi...
njspotlightnews.org
Residents press Roxbury to fight harder against latest ICE immigrant detention facility | NJ Spotlight News
Town joins others looking to fight Trump mass deportation plans
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
@lohplaces.bsky.social A colleague heard you speak at a conference & thought you might be a good source for a story about the DHS purchase of a warehouse in NJ for an ICE facility. What, if anything, can the town do to stop or limit this site? Does federal property supersede local zoning laws? Tnx
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
NJ starting to fall in line behind Mejia in NJ CD11 but for some it's only for the special primary
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
In NJ CD11, Analilia Mejia's lead increased again with update today, now up 889 over Tom Malinowski. Counties reporting 3,195 VBM and provisional ballots to count. Malinowski would have to win ~64% of those to win the seat.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Looking harder for @tommalinowski.bsky.social with each update in NJ CD 11. @analiliafornj.bsky.social now leads by 868, 1.4 pct
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Update on NJ CD 11. Mejia pulled further ahead of Malinowski, now leads by 676 votes, 1.1%, according to latest AP results. Mejia 28.9% to Malinowski 27.8%. The daily report from Morris County, the only one to put out an update thus far, shows 440 mail-in ballots to process and 694 provisionals.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
For more on where things stand in special NJ CD 11 primary, from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/poll...
njspotlightnews.org
No winner yet in NJ District 11 special primary election | NJ Spotlight News
As of Thursday night, progressive activist Analilia Mejia led former Rep. Tom Malinowski by less than 1%
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Wow what a night in NJ CD 11. Malinowski not ready to concede, but the progressive Mejia has the lead. It could take a while for a final decision
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
If you live in NJ's 11th Congressional District, get ready to vote Thursday! It's rare that congressional seats open and Democrats in particular have quite a large choice of candidates. Polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM, probably in your usual voting location.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
More than 27K have voted early in CD11 special primary. 22K+ Dems. 320 more Dems from Essex than Morris so maybe a small edge to Gill, tho everyone could be voting for Mejia. Final turnout is all that matters
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
2 weeks til primary in NJ CD11. A likely Dem seat, the primary is the big election. With 11 Dems still in it, someone could win with less than 10% of vote. Find where they stand on key issues - and who didn't respond - in @njspotlightnews.org voter guide www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
njspotlightnews.org
Special Primary Election: 11th Congressional District - NJ Spotlight News
11th Congressional District Special Primary Election Profile The 11th Congressional District covers parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties. The Essex
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
If you live in one of 46 towns in Essex, Morris & Passaic in NJ CD11, you've got another 24 hours to register to vote in the upcoming special primary to fill the seat of Gov.-elect @MikieSherrill. Deadline Jan 15. Find more info from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/nj-decides-2...
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Decides 2026 - NJ Spotlight News
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
The day before Christmas Eve in JCPL territory. Not easy to finish all the Christmas prep by candle light. Santa, please bring me an early present and restore our power.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 23/12/2025
Bari Weiss yanking a 60 Minutes story is censorship by oligarchy | Margaret Sullivan
theguardian.com
Bari Weiss yanking a 60 Minutes story is censorship by oligarchy | Margaret Sullivan
Weiss ought to cut her losses, green-light the piece, and try to start acting like an editor – not like a cog in the machine of authoritarian politics and oligarchy
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Prepping our @NJSpotlightNews voter guide for NJ CD11 special primary. Got a question you think we should ask the candidates?
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Kris Brown | President, @BradyUnited.org @krisbrown.bradyunited.org · 14/12/2025
The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year. This is not normal and we don't have to live this way. bradyunited.org @bradyunited.org
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
The shocking - even by NJ standards - treatment of Dem US Sen @AndyKimNJ as part of Dem state Sens attempt to ram thru a bill to weaken the state comptroller ofc in lame duck makes national news youtu.be/UUZhqsnyoPo?... For more background www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/temp...
youtu.be
Building an Anti-Corruption Movement in NJ and Nationally
YouTube video by Senator Andy Kim
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Tammy Murphy @firstladynj.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Huge thank you to Joanna Gagis at @njspotlightnews.org for welcoming me to reflect on the past eight years in office and some of our biggest wins!
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Not looking good for former Gov. McGreevey in JC but still early returns www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/jers...
njspotlightnews.org
Jersey City mayoral runoff results | NJ Spotlight News
Results from the Associated Press available after polls close at 8 p.m.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
With Atlantic County final results finally posted, @mikiesherrill.bsky.social picked up another win (Somers Point) bringing to 300 the number of NJ towns she won, 94 of them voted Republican last year or in 2021 or both. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
njspotlightnews.org
How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor - NJ Spotlight News
Maps show results of this year's gubernatorial election compared with the last gubernatorial election in 2021 and last year's presidential election.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
This year's election made NJ a lot bluer. @njspotlightnews.org maps make that easy to see, with charts reporting results for every municipality www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
njspotlightnews.org
How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor - NJ Spotlight News
Maps show results of this year's gubernatorial election compared with the last gubernatorial election in 2021 and last year's presidential election.
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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver @lastweektonight.com · 10/11/2025
This week’s main story is about how you can legally wind up in prison for murder without actually killing anyone, and why Alabama’s official state motto should be a derogatory “Yep.” Full segment at the link in our bio.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Thank you @lastweektonight.com for not only highlighting the importance of public media, but also for raising money to help! @NJSpotlightNews doing our best to inform NJ of important issues. NY stations take NJ for granted so NJ needs us! Some cool stuff to bid on at johnoliversjunk.com
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
NJ Legislature televising or at least airing audio of hearings is great for public transparency - except when members (and especially the chair) of a committee don't turn on the microphone. Most of us can't read lips. Sen. Paul Sarlo & @njsenatedemocrats.bsky.social
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
AP calls race for @mikiesherrill.bsky.social in NJ www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo...
njspotlightnews.org
NJ election results 2025 governor - NJ Spotlight News
Live results from The Associated Press
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Decision Desk HQ has called NJ governor race for Dem @MikieSherrill election-night.decisiondeskhq.com/date/2025-11... @njspotlightnews.org will be live at 9. www.njspotlightnews.org and www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH2T...
election-night.decisiondeskhq.com
November 4, 2025 Live Election Results | DDHQ
Live Election Night Results from Decision Desk HQ
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Polls still open at 3 sites in Passaic County due to bomb threats that delayed poll openings, per judge. If in line til 9 pm, can vote.
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Just about 15 minutes left to vote in NJ. Then check @njspotlightnews.org for all your election results and analysis www.njspotlightnews.org
njspotlightnews.org
NJ Spotlight News
News, Issues and Insight for New Jersey
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Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Final early voting #s in NJ: 1.36M total. 300K more Dems than GOP (a target Dems were trying to reach). Will it make a difference? @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...
njspotlightnews.org
NJ election: Early voting updates | NJ Spotlight News
Updated counts of mail-in ballots and early in-person votes
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