Manahan's replacement as NJN news anchor is Christopherson's pick

The decision to pick Kent Manahan as the anchor of the New Jersey Network nightly news ultimately rests with the station's executive director, Elizabeth Christopherson.  While the Governor appoints members of the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority, staff decisions - like picking an anchorman - rests entirely with the Christopherson.  She will also name a new News Director to replace Bill Jobes, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Manahan, who has been with NJN for 31 years, makes about $125,000 a year.  That's the same salary as other senior NJN employees, including Christopherson (who may receive additional money as the head of the NJN foundation), and senior political correspondent Michael Aron.  Aron is not expected to be interested in the anchorman job.

Insiders with knowledge of NJN say that Christopherson is likely to promote from within her organization.  The early short list includes the three reporters who have worked as backup anchors: Marie DeNoia Aronsohn, Zachary Fink, Kent St. John, and Adrienne Supino.  Christopherson could also recruit someone from outside of NJN, and might face some pressure to hire the state's first African American or Hispanic TV news anchor.

And since this is New Jersey, don't rule out Paul Moriarty, a Democratic Assemblyman and the Mayor of Washington Township.  Moriarty was a TV news reporter in Philadelphia before entering politics.