State Democrats are demanding an investigation of Niki Trunk, an employee with the state Comptroller's office who is reportedly exploring a run for state Senate in the 3rd Legislative District.

PolitickerNJ reported Monday that Trunk was the leading contender to challenge Senate President Steve Sweeney for his seat and yesterday Trunk resigned from the Comptroller's office effective Friday.  A spokesman for Comptroller Matt Boxer said Boxer was uncomfortable with any employee exploring a candidacy while working for his office.

Today, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald demanded that Boxer along with the State Ethics Commission investigate Trunk's political actions while working for the office.

"The  decision  to  seemingly ask  for  Trunk’s  resignation  was  proper  and  appropriate  and  the  Comptroller  should  be  applauded  for  having  the  sensitivity  to  attempt  to  protect  the  reputation  of  his  well-­‐regarded  Office," Greenwald wrote in a letter to Boxer and ethics commission Director Peter Tober.  

"Nevertheless,  the  inquiry  must  not  stop  with  the  announcement  of  Trunk’s  resignation  just  yesterday.    If  Comptroller  Boxer - appropriately  so  - was  not  comfortable  with  Trunk  “exploring  a  run  for  elective  office”  while  a  member  of  his  office,  that  level  of  discomfort  needs  to  extend  to  the  point  in  time  such  discussions   commenced."

Greenwald is asking Boxer and Tober to explore whether Trunk began exploring her run on state time, when she was first approached for the potential run and whether members of the Comptroller's office were aware that she was exploring a run.

"This  issue  is  of  great  import  and  must  be  addressed  in  the  name  of  preserving  the  integrity  and  independence associated  with  the  Office  of  the  Comptroller," Greenwald wrote.

Trunk has not commented on her potential candidacy and could not be reached for comment.

A spokesman for Boxer said the office had just received the letter and had no comment at this time.