MORRISTOWN, NJ – Residents across northern New Jersey opened their mailboxes this week to find what appeared to be a new local newspaper — but it wasn’t local, and it wasn’t independent.
The publication, titled The American Independent, is part of a national network operated by liberal political strategist David Brock, whose organization has ties to major Democratic super PACs.
The mailer-style paper, which has been circulating in districts including those represented by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), features stories criticizing Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli while praising Democratic candidates ahead of next month’s election.
Federal election records and public disclosures show The American Independent is owned by True Blue Media, LLC, a company under Brock’s direction. The same network has faced scrutiny in other states for publishing partisan news under the guise of local reporting.
Political messaging disguised as local news
Axios and other outlets have previously reported that the organization’s model involves creating region-specific content designed to resemble community newspapers, a tactic used to influence voters through targeted messaging. The publications often contain campaign-style stories without clear disclaimers identifying their political affiliations.
Past controversies tied to partisan operations
The group, formerly known as Shareblue Media and before that Blue Nation Review, was founded to support Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Since then, its media outlets have repeatedly been accused of blurring lines between journalism and political advertising.
Watchdog group NewsGuard noted that the outlet “does not gather and present information responsibly,” citing its failure to disclose key funding links to the American Bridge 21st Century Foundation — a Democratic-aligned super PAC that describes itself as “the opposition research engine of the Democratic Party.”
Local reaction and election context
Residents in Morris and Essex Counties say the timing of the publication raises concerns about election interference.
Ciattarelli’s campaign has not yet issued an official statement, though sources close to the Republican nominee said they are reviewing whether the distribution complies with campaign finance disclosure laws.
Election analysts note that New Jersey’s 11th District is a key battleground, with both national parties pouring money into the race. Sherrill, a three-term Democrat and former Navy pilot, faces her toughest challenge since first taking office.
National implications of partisan media
Experts warn that the rise of politically funded pseudo-local outlets could further erode trust in legitimate news sources.
With campaigns increasingly relying on data-driven targeting, the use of mailers disguised as newspapers has become a new frontier in political messaging.
As voters sift through the headlines, the question now is whether these glossy “news” sheets will sway opinions — or simply fuel skepticism about where the truth really lies.