How did one of New Jersey's most powerful Democrats wind up mortal enemies with one of New Jersey's biggest unions? Aren't they supposed to be buddies?

Not only is the teachers union opposing state Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney this year, it's backing a Republican who voted for ... TRUMP. For a left-leaning organization, that's a mortal sin.

How did we get here? Why did the man who's now state senate president spend years as a pariah in his own party? How did he find so much common ground with Republican Gov. Chris Christie?

New Jersey's sky-high taxes make for some odd political alliances. Jim explores all of that in latest installment of the Jim Gearhart Show podcast, available here as well on iTunes and Google Play.

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That's it's just part of what Jim takes on in the latest installment of his podcast. Check out the full episode below to hear the rest. Email Jim at Jim@NJ1015.com.

The Jim Gearhart Podcast is available every week on New Jersey 101.5 and in the New Jersey 101.5 app. You can also subscribe with your favorite podcasting app for iPhones, Android devices or your computer:

Love podcasts?

Be sure to check out "Heroin Uncut: The Truth About the Crisis," a blunt, honest look at how we got so deep into an addiction epidemic. This week, host Jay Lassiter celebrates the heroes of the crisis — and puts its villains on notice.

Also check out Forever 39, Annette and Megan's new podcast about turning 40 — and loving life along the way. This week, they discover it's men who are "marrying up" these daya.s

And in Speaking Millennial, social media superstar Steve Hoffsteter takes some time from co-headling the Tropicana with Jay to discuss with Bill, Jay, and Jessica what it's like to be a celebrity in the time of Twitter.

— Townsquare Media staff

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