Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden) told PolitickerNJ.com he believes Gov. Jon Corzine would do well to select Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) as his running mate in 2009.

Watson Coleman, a veteran of the Assembly and former state party chair, would be the state’s first lieutenant governor if Corzine were to run with her and win re-election.

"He’s got to pick someone who’s compatible with his style, of course," said Roberts. "I happen to be a big fan of Bonnie Watson Coleman’s. Her strengths are that she is highly respected, very well thought of in the legislature, where she was unanimously elected majority leader, and she is highly committed to the faith-based, African-American community."

Roberts said Watson Coleman as a resident of Central Jersey would also provide regional balance to a ticket with the governor.