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Campos-Medina jumps into Democratic Senate primary – New Jersey Globe

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Campos-Medina jumps into Democratic Senate primary – New Jersey Globe


Patricia Campos-Medina, a labor leader and longtime figure in New Jersey progressive circles, launched her campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate today, joining a growing field of candidates vying to replace indicted Senator Bob Menendez.

“For the last couple of months, I’ve been speaking to voters across New Jersey, and leaders across the country, who want to see a woman of color with my record of fighting for working families and unions enter this race,” Campos-Medina told the New Jersey Globe. “I have over 25 years of advocacy on behalf of working families, and they want to see someone with a real record of advocating for middle-class jobs and for working families.”

Campos-Medina, who has long worked behind-the-scenes on campaigns but who has never before run for political office herself, emphasized that one of her key priorities is maintaining Hispanic representation in the Senate – something that’s been jeopardized by the federal charges against Menendez, the first and so far only Latino senator from New Jersey. 

“The senator has been a champion for many issues, but he’s no longer an effective representative given the accusations against him,” Campos-Medina said. “He will have the opportunity in the court of law to prove himself innocent… But this is not about him. This race is about the future of New Jersey, and about the future of political representation for Latinos in this state.”

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Menendez has not said whether he will try to run for another term this year, but he would be extraordinarily unlikely to win if he does. Instead, the two frontrunners for his Senate seat are First Lady Tammy Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown); progressive activist Larry Hamm is also running, and now Campos-Medina has added her name to the list as well.

Campos-Medina was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. After graduating from Cornell, she quickly became involved with labor unions like UNITE and SEIU, and also held jobs on Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign and former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine’s 2009 re-election bid.

Now a resident of Hunterdon County, Campos-Medina serves in leadership roles in a number of New Jersey progressive groups, including the New Jersey Working Families Party, New Jersey Citizen Action, and Latina Civic PAC.

If elected, Campos-Medina said she would focus on many of the issues that she’s already advocated for in New Jersey: increasing the minimum wage, strengthening unions, building affordable housing, and protecting abortion access. She said that advocating for Black and Latino communities’ interests would also be a top priority; she would be just the second Latina to ever serve in the United States Senate if she were to win.

But Campos-Medina faces a tough path to the Democratic nomination. Democratic leaders in many of New Jersey’s largest counties have already said they’re supporting Murphy, who is likely to have the county organizational line in most of the state; Kim, meanwhile, has a big lead in publicly released polls and a major fundraising headstart.

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In order to level the playing field, Campos-Medina said that the county line should be eliminated, a call that’s been echoed by Kim (but, pointedly, not by Murphy).

“We need a fair and open primary,” she said. “New Jersey voters are disgusted by these backroom deals and the party line. The fact that the party bosses endorsed Tammy Murphy so early, trying to dissuade everybody else from running – that hasn’t happened. People are upset, organizations are upset about these backroom deals. And the power of the line is crumbling.” 

The line isn’t likely to go anywhere, though, and Campos-Medina said she’ll fight for county party endorsements wherever possible. Everywhere else, she said she plans to take the fight directly to the voters of New Jersey, with whom the outcome of the June 4 primary ultimately rests.

“I will speak to every Democratic voter and every county committeemember who wants to hear my message,” Campos-Medina said. ““I have been part of many campaigns. I have been a campaign manager, a campaign fundraiser, a field operative… I know how the sausage is made in policy and politics.”

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What to know about Freedom Fuel Network as Trump urges cheaper gas prices in Pennsylvania, NJ

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What to know about Freedom Fuel Network as Trump urges cheaper gas prices in Pennsylvania, NJ


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — There are 25 new Freedom Fuel Network gas stations opening across the Philadelphia area and South Jersey as Americans closely watch gas prices.

This comes after President Trump announced the privately-owned network on social media last week, saying it will help drivers save money at the pump.

There are 25 new Freedom Fuel gas stations opening across the Philadelphia area and South Jersey as Americans closely watch gas prices.

The first location in Dresher, Montgomery County, opened on Friday, with the price of $3.47 per gallon.

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This cost was a nod to President Trump serving as the nation’s 47th president.

However, that price has already started to rise after the president announced new U.S. strikes, sending oil and gas prices higher.

Some of those locations with gas stations participating in the Freedom Fuel Network include Lansdowne, Bensalem and Pottstown in Pennsylvania; and Marlton in New Jersey.

Gas Calculator: Find out how much it costs to fill your tank

A White House official told ABC News the administration is not involved with the company and is not providing any funding or subsidies.

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Instead, the company says it is cutting its own profit margins to offer lower prices.

Some drivers are applauding this move while others, including gas analysts, are skeptical.

“$3.47 a gallon is a Godsend, honestly,” said one consumer. “Great price because this was a Sunoco before and prices were a lot higher.”

“I want Americans to be asking, ‘Where is that money coming from? Why are corporations and businesses willing to subsidize gas 50-cents a gallon for people, to make President Trump look good,” said another consumer.

Trump is also encouraging other gas retailers to lower their prices. He has not identified the company behind Freedom Fuel, saying only that it’s a private retailer.

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Action News is still working to learn how long these lower prices will last and whether more stations will open.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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7 On Your Side helps man recover his stolen iPhone from safe pickup site

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7 On Your Side helps man recover his stolen iPhone from safe pickup site


JAMESBURG, New Jersey (WABC) — When it comes to home deliveries, having your order stolen right off your doorstep can be infuriating, so one New Jersey man did it right.

Peter Tsistinas had his brand-new cell phone delivered to a so-called safe pickup site, designated by the seller, where it was stolen.

Delivery services can drop off your item at any number of safe locations, where you can later pick up your order. But as exclusive video obtained by 7 On Your Side shows, porch pirates are upping their game.

Captured on a security camera, a man calmly walks into the CVS store, asks for a delivery, shows an ID, signs for it, and walks off with a brand-new iPhone. There’s just one problem.

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“They saw somebody that was not me getting my package,” said Tsistinas when asked what the police were seeing on the tape.

The real Peter, a popular DJ for hire, was dumbfounded. He chose the safe drop to avoid being porch pirated, but the thief still got the goods.

“Yeah, I actually paid extra for it. It wasn’t much. It was $7.99,” Tsistinas said.

Tsistinas got a notification from UPS that the phone was dropped off at 12:39 p.m., less than two hours later, he got a notice it was picked up.

But Tsistinas didn’t pick it up. It was the unknown suspect who went into the CVS, walking off with the brand-new iPhone for Peter’s son.

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Tsistinas reported the crime to the police and alerted UPS, CVS and T-Mobile, which shipped the smartphone. The response to the DJ was what he called, “crickets.”

“I was watching, you know ABC News, and I saw 7 On Your Side and I’m like, ‘you know, you’re the first thing I thought of,’” Tsistinas said

7 On Your Side reached out to both CVS and the cell phone provider.

Within a week, T-Mobile responded, saying, “Our care team is working with Mr. Tsistinas directly to get him the device he ordered from us, and we’re working closely with CVS and our other partners to further protect our customers’ orders from theft. Our dedicated fraud, crime and logistics teams collaborate with vendors to address these issues and improve delivery processes.”

CVS also sent 7 On Your Side an official statement, saying, “We’ve connected with the customer and apologized for his experience. T-Mobile is now working directly with Mr. Tsistinas to help resolve the matter. Anyone picking up a UPS package at CVS Pharmacy must present identification matching the person and name on the package to be released. We’re working with the store team to help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.”

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After weeks of back and forth with the companies, Tsistinas could finally focus on his beats again.

“I paid almost $500 in deposit, and then it was going to be like so much per month. So, they just squashed all that,” Tsistinas said.

Referencing the Rolling Stones, he says he not only got his satisfaction, but also his money back.

“Nina, you’re the best!” Peter said.

Police are still looking for the suspect in the video and say he’s part of a crime ring. If you recognize him, call Jamesburg police in New Jersey.

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Fill out the form below or email your questions, issues, or story ideas by filling out the form below or by emailing 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com. All emails MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CELLPHONE NUMBER. Without a phone number, 7 On Your Side will not be able to respond.

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Police conclude investigation at Walmart in Cherry Hill, officials say

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Police conclude investigation at Walmart in Cherry Hill, officials say


A police investigation took place at a Walmart in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Wednesday morning and shoppers may have noticed an increased presence of officers at the shopping center, officials said.

On social media, the Cherry Hill Police Department alerted residents that an investigation was underway in a Walmart, located along Route 38 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

However, officials did not immediately detail the cause of this increased police presence, other than saying an investigation was underway and “the scene has been secured.”

Police were asking people to avoid the area, if possible, to allow officers the ability to complete this investigation.

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However, as of about 10 a.m., police said on social media that the incident was resolved and there was no threat to the public.

As of about 10:15 a.m., police had not provided further information on the nature of this investigation, nor did they say if anyone was arrested through the course of this incident.

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NBC10 is working to learn more.

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.





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