August 19, 2008 - 9:34am
News

Voters don't care if Corzine picks a woman, minority for Lt. Governor

Voters don’t care if Gov. Jon Corzine picks a woman or a minority for Lt. Governor if he runs again next year, according to a Zogby International poll of likely voters commissioned by Garden State Equality.  Just 31% says a ticket balanced by gender or race is important, while 65% say it is unimportant. 

Among women voters, 58% say they don’t care if Corzine picks a woman running mate, while 37% say they do. 

Racial balance is more important to African American voters that Latinos: 66% of African Americans consider it important, while just 31% of Latino voters do. 

The conventional wisdom is that Corzine – or any Democratic gubernatorial candidate –would seek to add gender or racial balance (or both) to their ticket.  And Democratic insiders suggest that Corzine would not pick a white male running mate.  Possible candidates include Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires.

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.