Crowley won't rule out challenging Corzine

Gov. Jon Corzine meets Princeton businessman and potential GOP rival John Crowley: Politicker photo

CRANBURY - Although their meeting might have lacked the hype of a heavyweight fight buildup - mostly because it is unknown if they will ever square off - Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican biotech millionaire John Crowley shook hands today like respectful would-be rivals with private industry street cred.

"Not all of life is about politics," Corzine told reporters after participating in a ceremony at Crowley's company, Amicus Therapeutics, which in its sixth year of operation today celebrated the hiring of its 100th employee.

"We've come a long way from the incubator on Route 1," said Crowley, standing earlier at the boardroom podium in his sprawling, hi-tech Cranbury complex, facing Corzine in the front row.

The governor attended as Crowley's guest, a nod to the fact that Amicus became the first graduate of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's (EDA) Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies, and exemplifies the kind of biotech development Corzine champions.

"It is a compelling and important story," Corzine said of Crowley's efforts to find a cure for his two young children, who suffer from Pompei's Disease. "It is an extraordinary testament to the human spirit.

"I wish I had invested in Amicus stock," the governor added with a laugh. "I see that it has been highest on the charts in the last few days."

Crowley in turn repeatedly acknowledged Corzine's special efforts to help biotech development with the creation of the Edison Innovation Fund.

"We appreciate the governor's understanding and support for our industry," said Crowley.

Since the launch of the fund in October 2006, the state has "delivered more than a quarter billion dollars in financing assistance venture capital investments, job creation incentives and New Jersey tax credits to early-stage and established technology and life sceince businesses," according to Erin Gold of the EDA.

The industry is thriving, Corzine noted, as the number of biotech companies in New Jersey has grown from under 50 in 1998 to well over 200.

Corzine and Crowley swapped plaques and certificates, and the bond trader millionaire turned turned millionaire governor more than once invoked Goldman Sachs as he observed his potential competitor's professional digs.

A near Republican candidate for U.S. Senate earlier this year, Crowley, along with political operative and friend Bill Spadea, are in the midst of building a statewide GOP political operation.

"I'm open right now," Crowley said of his political career.

"I don't rule out a run for governor in 2009," he told PolitickerNJ.com. "I'm keeping my options open right now."

Of the political organization, Crowley said, "it is what it is. It's a grassroots group that is being coordinated with all of the county chairs. It is an independent effort. We plan to spend money in 2008 in a targeted way that helps deliver the Republican message."

Crowley would not say whether he would prefer being governor or senator.

He said he did not support the Democrats' stem cell initiative - much ballyhooed by Corzine - which failed to win the approval of voters in last year's election.

The governor arrived at the Cranbury office park shortly after 11:30, and security at Amicus Tehrapeutics waved him through to where Crowley and others waited.

The governor and buisnessman shook hands and began a quiet conversation about the bio tech industry in the moments before the ceremony before Crowley accompanied Corzine to the front row.