ENGLEWOOD -- Randal Pinkett did not turn out to be Gov. Corzine’s pick for lieutenant governor, but he showed up to the Bergen Performing Arts Center to watch Loretta Weinberg accept the number two spot today.

Pinkett, a Rhodes Scholar technology consultant who holds multiple advanced degrees, saw his academic and professional achievements overshadowed by his fame as the Season 4 winner of “The Apprentice.”  Newspaper editorial pushback and dissent among Democratic Party insiders who decried his lack of government experience popped his trial balloon. 

But Pinkett said he was not disappointed.

“I think it’s a great pick, particularly with what’s happened over the past few days, “said Pinkett, citing Weinberg’s “record on trying to tighten the regulations around corruption and financial disclosure of elected officials.” 

During his speech introducing Weinberg, Corzine gave a shout out to both Pinkett and the runner up for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen).  Pinkett, Corzine said, is “an incredible person” and “one of the most extraordinary role models for all of us in our society who believe in entrepreneurship. 

As far as a potential political future for himself, Pinkett said “anything can happen.”