JOAN VERPLANCK

Possible Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor: Passaic County Freeholder Tahesha Way and Reality TV star Randal Pinkett

As some establishment Democrats voice resistance to Reality TV star Randal Pinkett as their candidate for Lt. Governor, there is some speculation that Gov. Jon Corzine's search for an African American running mate includes Passaic County Freeholder Tahesha Way, the wife of former Giants fullback Charles Way.

Corzine appears to be having a hard time finding an LG candidate who will satisfy the multitude of factions within the New Jersey Democratic Party.  Two State Senators under consideration, Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), have substantial intra-party opposition.  Corzine, sources say, has been actively shopping for a Black LG candidate.  He was reportedly turned down - several times - by his first choice, Newark Mayor Cory Booker.  Other potential candidates, including Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) and Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, were apparently non-starters.   Trial balloons for Montclair State University President Susan Cole and New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck did not go well.  Corzine emissaries even approached former State Sen. Joseph Charles (D-Jersey City), who said he was not interested and hoped to remain as a Superior Court Judge.

While it appeared yesterday that the Pinkett nomination is nearly done, it now looks as though Corzine is having second thoughts.  Since the Governor will not announce his pick before President Barack Obama campaigns for him in Holmdel tomorrow, it is looking more likely that Corzine will take at least another week to choose a running mate.

Two Mercer County women who had been viewed as potential Democratic Lt. Governor candidates say they are not under consideration: State Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence) and New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck both told PolitickerNJ.com that they have not been asked to fill out a questionnaire Gov. Jon Corzine is using in his running mate selection process.  Turner is one of three African American women who have been mentioned for LG, along with Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells.  Verplanck, a Republican, had been considered by Corzine earlier this month, but a trial balloon on her candidacy did not go over well with Democrats.

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck, who was reportedly being considered as a running mate for Gov. Jon Corzine, was nominated today to serve on the Board of Trustees of Kean University.  Corzine's selection of Verplanck is likely a signal that she is not longer on his short list of Lt. Governor candidates.

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck says she has had no contact with Gov. Jon Corzine or his staff about running for Lt. Governor, and says becoming a candidate has "never crossed her mind."  PolitickerNJ.com's Inside Edge reported late Friday night that she was under consideration for the post, based upon information from three sources with direct links to the LG selection process.  These sources suggest that Verplanck and State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) are the most serious contenders to become Corzine's running mate, and continue to stand behind that contention. 

"I would like to respond to the rumor that I am being considered as Governor Corzine's running mate.  I want to be clear that I have not spoken with anyone from the Governor's office regarding the position, and have no idea where this rumor came from," Verplanck said in an e-mail. "I am hopeful that the whoever the candidate is, she will be conversant in the role a vibrant business climate plays in fulfilling the vision of a fully-employed population, and that she will advocate for policies to create that climate for the good of all New Jerseyans."

"Governor Corzine has always had a great working relationship with Joan Verplank and the Chamber and he continues to be impressed with the work they do," said Sean Darcy, a spokesman for the Corzine campaign.  "We have had a great working relationship with them, and we look forward to continuing it. As for the Lieutenant Governor position, we have no comment."

Verplanck also sought to "clarify my use of the word stupid as relates to the Chamber's annual Congressional Dinner."

"In an interview with Josh Margolin, I stated that the premise that people would use the train as a vehicle to "cut deals" -- in a crowded environment crawling with journalists and cell phones that take pictures and record video -- was stupid," Verplanck wrote. "I didn't say the Republicans' decision was stupid.  I said that the premise on which they based the decision was stupid."

Gov. Jon Corzine's consideration of a Republican running mate, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck, is an idea that has worked for two other Democratic Governors in recent years.  In Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius picked Republicans to run with her in 2002 (John Moore, a former Kansas Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Cessna executive) and 2006 (Mark Parkinson, a former legislator and GOP State Chairman who became Governor when Sebelius resigned in April.)  Brian Schweitzer, the Democratic Governor of Montana, picked Republican State Sen. John Bohlinger as his running mate in 2004; they were re-elected last year. 

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck is reportedly under consideration to become Jon Corzine's running mate

Democratic sources say that Gov. Jon Corzine is seriously considering Joan Verplanck, the President of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce for the last fourteen years and a Republicna, for Lt. Governor.  Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) is also reportedly in contention to become Corzine's running mate.

Verplanck and the business advocacy group she heads have become closely allied with Corzine over the last few years.  She angered Republicans by endorsing Corzine's plan to raise tolls, causing some GOP legislators to call on local businesses to leave the group. Earlier this year, GOP gubernatorial candidates skipped the organization's annual train trip to Washington, D.C., criticizing the traditional event that offered access to the state's political leaders.  Verplanck called the GOP protest "stupid."

Gov. Jon Corzine at the Jackson Township reorganization meeting last July.

Gov. Jon Corzine, facing tough economic times and an upcoming re-election campaign, has enjoyed some success recently during a special session of the Legislature to consider parts of his economic assistance and recovery plan.  Corzine's program includes short term relief for families to receive basic necessities, like home heating and food pantry assistance, and some long-term benefits the Governor hopes will retain businesses and attract new ones.  Corzine has won approval of parts of his plan with the help of New Jersey Business & Industry Association President Philip Kirschner and New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck -- both representing organizations that had traditionally backed Republican economic agendas.