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Bottom of ticket now top priority in governor's race
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TRENTON — Now that Democrats and Republicans have settled on who they want to run for governor, the big question remains: Who would they want to replace the governor should he vacate his seat?
It’s far from idle speculation.
Between Gov. Christie Todd Whitman leaving to join President George W. Bush’s Cabinet in January 2001, and Gov. Jon S. Corzine being sworn into office in January 2006, the chief executive’s office has had a virtual revolving door.
During that time, no fewer than five people served in the top job, without lieutenant governors. This included Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, who spent more than 14 months as governor while he served as the state Senate president.
Voters amended the constitution in November 2005 to prevent this from happening again. They made 2009 the first year in which a lieutenant governor appears on the ballot.
In contrast with the governor’s broad constitutional authorities, the qualifications for lieutenant governor are minimal.
A gubernatorial candidate has to pick someone within 30 days of being nominated. Once elected, the governor could delegate some of his or her powers to the lieutenant or name the person to any cabinet-level position other than attorney general. If named Secretary of State, there isn’t even a state Senate confirmation hearing.
In fact, the state constitution says the only real requirement for the job is that the lieutenant qualifies to be governor. That is, the person is at least 30, has been an American citizen for 20 years, has spent the past seven years in New Jersey and holds no other office.
Campaign watchers have speculated candidates would use the lieutenant governor seat to balance the ticket by gender, race or region.
But speaking with reporters this week, Christie said the person had to be ready to be governor on day one, philosophically and personally compatible, and demonstrate that he or she knows what leadership is.
Joseph Marbach, chair of Seton Hall University’s political science department, said he thought the most important qualification for potential candidates was to be seen as able to serve as governor from day one.
He pointed to last year’s presidential race, when perceptions that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was not ready for the Oval Office hobbled running mate John McCain’s efforts.
“The public has to be comfortable with the person,” Marbach said. “They won’t necessarily vote for someone’s pick but they might vote against them.”
At the same time, Ingrid Reed said candidates need to ensure their lieutenants are capable but not seen as more of the same.
Instead, Reed, director of the New Jersey Project at Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics, said the person ideally would bring a special perspective and a demonstrated record of accomplishment. The person should have management skills while being well-versed on specific New Jersey issues.
Marbach also said Democrats may look to pick a potential gubernatorial candidate for 2013, since Corzine can hold office for only one more term.
On the Democratic side, possible candidates include Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer, as well as New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck; state Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex; state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen; state Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland; and Kris Kolluri, who heads the state schools construction unit.
Corzine in January said that among others, he was considering Buono, Booker and Palmer. But Booker took himself out of the running earlier this spring.
On the Republican side, talk has included former Philadelphia news anchor state Sen. Diane B. Allen, R-Burlington, Camden; Bergen County Clerk Kathy Donovan; state Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, Mercer; and state Sen. Bill Baroni, R-Middlesex, Mercer.
State Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean Jr., R-Union, Morris, Somerset, Essex, was seen as a front-runner until he told the Star-Ledger of Newark on Friday that he was out of the running.
Speaking with reporters this week, Christie dismissed speculation by saying he would take the month to pick a candidate. “I have no short list,” he said. “I’m going to take the time and responsibly do it.”
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Posted in Top_three on Sunday, June 7, 2009 11:25 pm
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