The Ryans Discuss NJ's 2023 Election Results (and debate Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham) with Guest Micah Rasmussen, Director at the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics

In this week's episode of Back in Session, the Ryans recap election results across the country, namely Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. They then bring on special guest Micah Rasmussen, Director at the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, to discuss the New Jersey 2023 election results, looking at what factors led to Democrats having a better night than many anticipated, and what it could mean for 2025 and beyond. Outside of election results, they also dabble into the infamous New Jersey debate over Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham and a new haunted story that should have been included in our last Haunted State Capitols episode. Micah's bio is included below and you can learn more about him here.Micah Rasmussen is the director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics. He has contributed to the public affairs of the state for more than two decades, and has more than 15 years of experience as an adjunct professor of political science.As Governor James E. McGreevey’s press secretary, he handled crisis communications during the Governor’s historic resignation. He has served as communications director for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, worked in the New Jersey General Assembly, and managed several political campaigns.Most recently, Rasmussen served as vice president for executive communications at Chubb, where he wrote speeches for audiences throughout the world. He previously served as director of corporate communications for New Jersey Resources and its primary subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas. He led the crisis communications that kept affected customers, public officials and the media informed throughout widespread system damages in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.During his undergraduate studies at Rider, Dr. Rebovich was his professor and mentor. He earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.Rasmussen runs the New Jersey Model Congress, a civics education program he founded. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Upper Freehold Township, where he advocates for the preservation of farmland and open space.