In Memory of Carl Golden

The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University mourns the passing of Carl Golden, who served as the center’s Senior Contributing Analyst since 2010. During that time, he wrote hundreds of insightful columns on behalf of the center analyzing and commenting on state and national politics. His death is a loss not only for the university but for all of New Jersey.

Carl was a brilliant political pundit who gained a great deal of his knowledge in the trenches of New Jersey government, politics, and election campaigns. A former reporter for the Newark News and other newspapers, he was the rare public servant who had served in all three branches of government: staffer for the New Jersey Assembly Republicans as well as former Congressman Peter Frelinghuysen; chief spokesman for Governors Thomas Kean and Christine Todd Whitman; and chief spokesman for state Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Wilentz. He had also run numerous election campaigns, including in New Jersey’s 2nd Legislative District in Atlantic County.

News outlets throughout New Jersey published Carl’s Hughes Center columns analyzing state politics, and his pieces on national issues were syndicated and published in outlets across the United States and even internationally. A moderate Republican, Carl was scrupulously fair as he dished out praise and criticism — with civility — for politicians of both major parties in equal doses. His insights and skill as a quotable pundit earned him a spot in political reporters’ address books for many years.

“Carl was like a baseball umpire in the way he observed politics,” said Alyssa Maurice, interim director of the Hughes Center. “He called it as he saw it without regard for whatever team was in power at the time.”

The Hughes Center is proud of its longtime association with Carl Golden. His contributions helped inform and educate the public about their government.

“There wasn’t a single issue or governmental player in Trenton over the last 50 years that he wasn’t familiar with,” said John Froonjian, former director of the Hughes Center.

Froonjian had worked closely with Carl. As a former Press of Atlantic City Statehouse reporter, Froonjian also covered Golden in his various public roles.

“Carl was a consummate professional. I enjoyed his routine visits to Statehouse offices to make himself available to reporters, not only because you trusted his information but because he always left you laughing,” Froonjian said. “He loved people and never lost sight of the humanity of those in politics, a rare quality.

“He was a perfect match for the Hughes Center because he showed civility even if he disagreed with you. He was a larger-than-life figure with the humility of a small-town reporter. New Jersey has lost a treasure,” Froonjian said.

 

Newspaper columns by Carl Golden:

Golden, Carl (2024). “'Can't Anybody Here Play This Game!?'". Insider NJ. April 30.

Golden, Carl (2024). “Biden is Weak, but Republicans are Embarrassing Themselves". CagleCartoons.com. April 22.

Golden, Carl (2024). “Assessing The Impact of the County Line Injunction". Insider NJ. April 15.

Golden, Carl (2024). “Joe 'It's Not My Fault' Biden". CagleCartoons.com. March 29.

Golden, Carl (2024). “Can Biden force a second referendum onTrump? It may be his best chance". Northjersey.com. March 14.

Golden, Carl (2024). “The Struggling Biden Campaign". CagleCartoons.com. March 11.

Golden, Carl (2024). “Bergen Convention: No Kayo By Murphy, Standing Eight Count for Kim and The County Line Lives on". Insider NJ. March 5.

Golden, Carl (2024). “‘The yawn-inducing election of 2024’". CagleCartoons.com. February 1.

Golden, Carl (2024). “‘I Got Him Right Where I Want Him’". Insider NJ. January 2.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Immigration Reform: An Awakening Or Political Reality?" Insider NJ. December 22.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Golden: Biden's growing challenges". Longview News-Journal. December 6.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Biden continues to face political headwinds". CagleCartoons.com. November 28.

Golden, Carl (2023). “The Irresistible Story Line of the Senate Primary". Insider NJ. November 14.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Speaker fiasco an embarrassment for Republicans". CagleCartoons.com. October 25.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Opinion: Speaker chaos? NJ has been there, done that". NJ Spotlight News. October 6.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Bidenomics versus MAGAnomics is a losing approach for Biden. Here's why". NorthJersey.com.Also featured in Daily Record, My Central Jersey and Lebanon Daily News. September 29.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Opinion: Menendez may lose first round but fight is far from over". NJ Spotlight News. September 26.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Joe Biden deserves better. Who will tell him not to run in 2024?" NorthJersey.com.Also featured in Daily Journal, Daily Record, My Central Jersey and App.com. September 19.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Can nothing break Donald Trump's surreal hold over the GOP?"NorthJersey.com.Also featured in Daily Record, My Central Jersey, Daily Journal, Poughkeepsie Journal, Courier Post and Daily Journal. August 30.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Trump: Villain, Martyr Or Both?"Insider NJ. August 22.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Christie’s Carpet Bombing Campaign Hasn’t Moved The Needle — Yet". Insider NJ. July 11.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Bidenomics will be on the ballot". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in My Journal Courier, Havasu News, Daily Journal, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, The Enquirer Journal, White Mountain Independent, Victoria Advocate, Daily Gate City, El Dorado News-Times, The Greeneville Sun, The Daily Courier, The Daily Iberian, Midland Daily News, The Griffin Daily News, Yuma Sun, Eastern Arizona Courier and Imperial Valley Press. July 6.

Golden, Carl (2023). “State Budget: Record Spending and Record Embarrassment". Insider NJ. July 5.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Is Christie’s Attack Strategy Sustainable?" Insider NJ. June 22.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Why did Trump take classified documents in the first place?" CagleCartoons.com. June 14.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Murphy Unlocks the Nuclear Launch Codes". Insider NJ. May 25.

Golden, Carl (2023). “To Defeat Biden, Republicans Could Look Back to 1972". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Havasu News, Midland Daily News and Yuma Sun. May 15.

Golden, Carl (2023). “DeSantis' feud with Disney is self-defeating. Here's why | Opinion". App.com. May 3.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Look Homeward, Governor". Insider NJ. April 28.

Golden, Carl (2023). “What’s taking Biden so long?" CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in My Journal Courier, Havasu News, Yuma Sun, White Mountain Independent, Las Vegas Review-Journal and Victoria Advocate. April 11.

Golden, Carl (2023). “In Brindle v. Murphy, Independence Is On Trial". Insider NJ. March 20.

Golden, Carl (2023). “‘Defund the police’ continues to haunt Democrats". CagleCartoons.com. March 8.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Democrats face a Biden-Harris dilemma". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in My Journal Courier. February 21.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Donald Trump won't let go of the GOP. But Republicans must turn the page | Opinion". App.com. Also featured in CagleCartoons.com, My Journal Courier, Press Herald, Imperial Valley Press, Korea Times and Eastern Arizona Courier. February 7.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Golden: Biden's gift to Trump". Longview News-Journal. Also featured in My Journal Courier, Press Herald, Imperial Valley Press and Victoria Advocate. January 25.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Progressives’ Pushback May Benefit Murphy". Insider NJ. January 23.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Biden's classified document debacle fuels Trump's flailing return | Opinion". Northjersey.com. January 17.

Golden, Carl (2023). “In Legislative Election Year, Budget Negotiations will be Intense". Insider NJ. January 12.

Golden, Carl (2023). “Biden will have to face reality about border situation". CagleCartoons.com. January 4.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Opinion: The futility of making public officials’ home addresses private". NJ Spotlight News. December 27.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Trump 2024 campaign is over before it began". CagleCartoons.com.Also featured inHavasu News, The Daily Courier, The McDowell News, News-Press NOW, Griffin Daily News, The Enquirer Journal, Daily Freeman, The News Herald, Eastern Arizona Courier, The Herald Bulletin, SitNews, Port Aransas South Jetti, The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, The Ledger Independent, Greeneville Sun, SitNews, Longview News-Journal and Longview News-Journal. December 7.

Golden, Carl (2022). “The Hazards and Willful Resistance to Tax Code Restructuring". Insider NJ. November 17.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Republicans face a moment of truth". CagleCartoons.com.Also featured inHavasu News, Asbury Park Press NJ, News-Press NOW, Northjersey.com, MyCentralJersey.com, The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Eastern Arizona Courier and The Ledger Independent. November 16.

Golden, Carl (2022). “When the Dust Settles on Tuesday…" Insider NJ. November 7.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Inflation not making things look good for Dems in election". Kitsap Daily News. Also featured in Bainbridge Island Review. October 28. 

Golden, Carl (2022). “The Wild West Plight of the Media". Insider NJ. October 21.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Democrats shouldn’t feel good about the midterms". CagleCartoons.com.Also featured inGreeneville Sun, SitNews, Longview News-Journal, Victoria Advocate, Fort Madison Daily Democrat, Eastern Arizona Courier, The Kingman Miner, Highlands News-Sun, Griffin Daily News, News-Press NOW, Yuma Sun and Imperial Valley Press. October 17.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Christie Fails to Ignite". Insider NJ. October 10.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Pelosi’s time is just about over". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Havasu News, News-Press NOW, The Daily Times, The Daily Courier, El Dorado News-Times, Imperial Valley Press, My Journal Courier, Yuma Sun, Victoria Advocate and Longview News-Journal. October 3.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Immigration a top issue again ahead of the midterms". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Havasu News, Greeneville Sun, Eastern Arizona Courier, The Journal Scene, News-Press NOW, The Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Press Herald. September 21.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Go Get ’em, Dawn". Insider NJ. September 19.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Biden’s abrupt change on Trump attack line". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Press Herald. September 6.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Aftermath of Mar-a-Lago search plays into Trump’s hands". CagleCartoons.com. August 24.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Opinion: Brace for three years of nonstop political campaigning and posturing". NJ Spotlight News. August 23.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Playing right into Trump’s hands". CagleCartoons.com. August 11.

Golden, Carl (2022). “The Raid – and its Aftermath". Insider NJ. August 10.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Time for Republicans to break from Trump". CagleCartoons.com. July 26.

Golden, Carl (2022). “One-Term Biden – and why it’s not One-Term Byrne". Insider NJ. July 19.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Damaged Trump could weigh down Republicans". CagleCartoons.com. July 5.

Golden, Carl (2022). “January 6 public hearings aren’t changing minds". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Press Herald, Wallowa County Chieftain, Greeneville Sun, The Ledger Independent, The Columbus Telegram, Fremont Tribune, Longview News-Journal, Casper Star-Tribune, Daily Journal, Daily News and News-Press NOW. June 20.

Golden, Carl (2022). “The Murphy Strategy". Insider NJ. June 14.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Murphy and the National Left Lane Marker". Insider NJ. June 8.

Golden, Carl (2022). “It’s inflation, stupid". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Imperial Valley Press. June 1.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Biden’s hyperbole is getting a bit ridiculous". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Daily Journal. May 10.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Failure, not just to communicate, is the problem". Insider NJ. May 6.

Golden, Carl (2022). “The Moveable Feast of David Friedland". Insider NJ. May 2.

Golden, Carl (2022). “It's more than failure to communicate". The News Herald. Also featured in My Journal Courier. April 28.

Golden, Carl (2022). “My Connection to Congressman Payne". Insider NJ. April 13.

Golden, Carl (2022). “No one believes Virginia Thomas. The justice needs to start recusing himself. | Opinion". NJ.com. March 28.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Honoring Tradition, the New Jersey Way". Insider NJ. March 16.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Trump, the insurrection, and Nixon’s pardon". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Havasu News and Press Herald. March 10.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Pelosi versus the progressives". Imperial Valley Press. February 25.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Flipping ‘On’ the Light Switch is Best Bet for Murphy". Insider NJ. February 22.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Carl Golden: Republicans biggest foe heading into the midterms? Donald Trump." Press Herald. February 8.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Murphy and the Prospect of a Virus that is Here to Stay". Insider NJ. February 1.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Opinion: High taxes, high costs are endemic to NJ. Can Murphy find a cure?" NJ Spotlight News. January 27.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Could Hillary Clinton really run for president again?" CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Imperial Valley Press. January 19.

Golden, Carl (2022). “A Doomsday Scenario for Democrats". Insider NJ. January 19.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Build Back Later". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Imperial Valley Press, The Daily Times, Daily Citizen, The Greeneville Sun, Omaha World-Herald, The Journal-Courier, The Columbus Telegram, Hill Country News and The Griffin Daily News. January 6.

Golden, Carl (2022). “Opinion: Lawmakers should OK extension of emergency authority for Murphy". NJ Spotlight News. January 5.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Bungling a Loss". Insider NJ. December 29.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Republicans In Disarray". CagleCartoons.com.Also featured in Press Herald and Havasu News. December 7.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Murphy Needs to Confront the Anger out there". Insider NJ. November 29.

Golden, Carl (2021). “For Republicans, It’s Still the Trump Show". Insider NJ. October 13.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Murphy V. Ciattarelli: A Dramatic Sea Change Unlikely". Insider NJ. September 21.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Gateway, SALT Repeal Teeter on a Knife’s Edge with Biden Infrastructure Plan". Insider NJ. September 8.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Biden’s Failed Response to the Fall of Afghanistan". CagleCartoons.com. August 25.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Infrastructure bill: Biden, nearly grasping victory, may still have to compromise | Opinion". Burlington County Ttimes. August 13.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Ciattarelli Sinks into Ideological Quicksand – Again". Insider NJ. July 27.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Those who reject the vaccine should be ready to accept the consequences | Opinion". NJ.com. July 19.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Fauci Can Defeat the Virus, But Not Conspiracy Theories". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Daily Gate City, Imperial Valley Press, Press Herald, The Ironton Tribune, The Greeneville Sun, The Yuma Sun, The Journal-Courier, The Daily Journal, The Korea Times, The Ledger Independent, The Keene Sentinel and SitNews. July 15.

Golden, Carl (2021). “‘Soft on Crime’ Dems Dance with Political Doom". Insider NJ. July 12.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Biden’s Crumbling Infrastructure Deal". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Bedford Gazette and Imperial Valley Press. July 1.

Golden, Carl (2021). “The Incredible Political Travels of Steve Sweeney". Insider NJ. July 1.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Murphy beats Ciattarelli in a walk? Not so fast". NJ Spotlight News. June 28.

Golden, Carl (2021). “How the 2022 Budget Impacts the Governor’s Race". Insider NJ. May 12.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Op-Ed: Challenging the tradition of the county line in NJ’s primary elections is a ‘hopeless’ task". NJ Spotlight News. June 11.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Murphy may have overreached by seeking caveat on COVID-19 restrictions". NJ Spotlight News. May 25.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Republicans Hoping to Ditch Trump Are Forgetting Something". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Spot On Mississippi and Daily Journal. May 19.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: ‘Deceiving themselves,’ NJ Dems who demand SALT relief as part of Biden infrastructure plan". NJ Spotlight News. May 13.

Golden, Carl (2021). “This is What Dignity Looks like – in the Face of a Howling Mob". Insider NJ. May 12.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Liz Cheney For President?"CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in The News-Item, Press Herald, Brunswick Times Record, Havasu News and The Eagle. April 29.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Biden’s Supreme Court commission is about one thing". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in Daily Journal and Ivpressonline.com. April 13.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Christie Tries Early to Stake out his 2024 Turf". Insider NJ. April 8.

Golden, Carl (2021). “The Zen of Jen". Insider NJ. April 1.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Sweeney wants to reassert NJ legislators’ role. Murphy would be wise to accede". NJ Spotlight News. March 29.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Jan. 6 commission stalls on Pelosi, McConnell's watches. It didn't have to | Opinion". Northjersey.com. Also featured in Star Tribune, Press Herald, Havasu News-Herald and Daily News. March 23. 

Golden, Carl (2021). “Murphy pandemic response will by key issue in NJ governor’s race". PressofAtlanticCity.com. March 19. 

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Why Murphy’s handling of the pandemic likely will be a plus in his reelection bid". NJ Spotlight News. March 15.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Cuomo is toast | Opinion". NJ.com. March 5.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Pelosi Wants to Ignore the Kean-Hamilton 9/11 Commission Model". Insider NJ. March 1.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Oh, for the good old days of disorderly and chaotic budget presentations". NJ Spotlight News. February 24.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Murphy sticks to deny and delay strategy on women's prison abuses, by Carl Golden". PressofAtlanticCity.com. February 17. 

Golden, Carl (2021). “Lincoln Wouldn’t be Proud". Insider NJ. February 15.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Carl Golden: Two members of Congress will dominate the next election ". Press Herald. Also featured in The Greeneville Sun, Daily Journal, WiscNews and The Red Bluff Daily News. February 11.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: Murphy is following well-worn path on prison controversy". NJ Spotlight News. February 10.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Murphy must confront allegations of brutality, abuse at women’s prison | Opinion". Lehighvalleylive.com. January 31.

Golden, Carl (2021). “The evolution of Mitch McConnell". CagleCartoons.com. Also featured in The News-Item, Press Herald, Brunswick Times Record, Havasu News and The Eagle. January 21.

Golden, Carl (2021). “GOLDEN: Marijuana legalization: Realists involvement would be beneficial". Burlington County Ttimes. January 21.

Golden, Carl (2021). “GOP Primary for Governor: Ciattarelli’s Steinhardt Post-Game". Insider NJ. January 15.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Opinion: How State House dysfunction has stymied marijuana legalization". NJ Spotlight News. January 12.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Clutching My Precious Inauguration Tickets". Insider NJ. January 7.

Golden, Carl (2021). “Trump Just Made the NJGOP’s 2021 Tough Job Even Tougher". Insider NJ. January 4.