Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg’s (D-37) first choice for governor decided instead to run for U.S. Senate. Now that Newark Mayor Cory Booker is officially not a gubernatorial contender, Weinberg said she is not ready to back an alternative.

“I think the Democratic Party has some great candidates; certainly Senator Buono, Senate President Sweeney, Senator Codey and U.S. Rep. Pascrell are all good candidates. I think every single one of them would make a great governor.”

So far, of those mentioned, Buono is the only declared candidate.

But Weinberg, who succeeded Buono as Senate majority leader, won’t throw an early endorsement to her colleague.

“Buono has going for her the fact that she went out there on her own before the others, and the fact that she’s a woman,” Weinberg said. “Codey has name recognition and a healthy campaign account. Pascrell is feisty and has good relationships with public sector unions. Sweeney has excellent relationships with all of the unions and an extremely salable voting record.”

She admits, “I’m sort of waiting.”

But if Buono ends up being the only declared opponent to Christie, “I’m perfectly happy to have her as the standard bearer,” the Senate majority leader said.