The Rev. Pastor Reginald Jackson of Orange, a Democratic backer of Jon Corzine's but a staunch advocate of school vouchers, today praised Gov.-elect Chris Christie for selecting vouchers proponent Bret Schundler to head the state Department of Education.

"Bret Schundler has been one of the forerunners in terms of advocating for school choice and charter school education," Jackson told PolitickerNJ.com. "I commend Gov-elect Christie. I think it's a good choice. Chris Christie has made it clear that education is a top priority, and I'm not sure he could have made a better choice."

In Trenton today to support Christie's selection of former Jersey City Mayor Schundler as a member of the press conference audience, Jackson is a member of the E3 group, a champion of private school vouchers to stimulate competition in education.

An early fundraiser and backer of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign as a core member of the Group and general election supporter of Barack Obama's, Jackson endorsed Corzine for governor last year over Christie following a presentation both candidates made at Jackson's Orange church.

"The governor and I had a divergence on the education issue," Jackson said. "We need school reform, and school reform must include school choice. The public schools are not going to reform unless parents have a choice."