Kean's out; is Corzine considering Soaries or Sires?
By Wally EdgeThe decision of Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) to remove his name from consideration for Lt. Governor removes one of the top names from Chris Christie's list, and makes State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) and Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan more serious contenders. Kean was reportedly one of the leading contenders to become Christie's running mate.
Democratic sources say that Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) remains a strong candidate to run with Gov. Jon Corzine. Other names being mentioned by party leaders this week include two Republicans, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck and Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries, a former N.J. Secretary of State. It's hard to imagine Soaries is a real contender: he was an early supporter of George W. Bush for President in 2000, and national Republicans helped him in his congressional campaign against Democrat Rush Holt in 2002. His presence on the ticket might make it more difficult for Democrats to tie Christie to Bush, as they did at Corzine's campaign kickoff on Tuesday.
One Democratic County Chairman, who asked that his name be withheld, insists that U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), a former Assembly Speaker who was born in Cuba, was brought up in a campaign meeting he attended. There is no confirmation of Corzine's interest in Sires.
Contributors
Wally Edge
South Jersey Democrats are touting Cinnaminson native Anthony Mazzarelli, the head of the emergency medicine department at Cooper University ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
The NJ gubernatorial election result demonstrates that Governor-elect Chris Christie resurrected the center-right voter coalition of Republicans, ... >
Richard LaRossa
With a convincing win in defeating an encumbent Governor, why were there no coattails? >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
Ronald C. Rice tweeted not so sweetly about soon-to-be Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
Well, we were able to obtain the rest of the ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- On budget issues, Christie says everything is on the table
- Christie transition team members to assume more specified roles tomorrow
- Bowser to Joe D.: rethink Codey banishment now that GOP in charge of gov's office
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- Between two Tuesdays ago and next Monday: welcome to Atlantic City
- DiVincenzo: if anyone can straighten out N.J., it's Christie
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Scutari argues that Christie's victory does not alter dynamics of senate leadership
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- Runyan meeting with Gilmore this morning
- Poll finds New Jersey residents narrowly support gay marriage
- On budget issues, Christie says everything is on the table
- Exploring congressional bid, Runyan meets with Gilmore
- Sweeney subs for sitting senate president at On the Record taping
- Sources: Watson Coleman still seeking speaker's chair
- DiVincenzo to launch re-election campaign next month
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- NJ 101.5 listeners backed Christie 2-1 over Corzine, according to new poll
- Weinberg to Sweeney: honor your committment on marriage equality
- New Jersey celebrity athlete candidates have mixed records
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
"An Irish wake." -- New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittell, on Senate President Richard Codey's party in Atlantic City.
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 20 2009
- Nov 19 2009
Syndicate
