By Art Gallagher | MoreMonmouthMusings.com
When the news broke that Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik was eyeing a run for governor, he asked for MoreMonmouthMusings’ endorsement.So here goes: MoreMonmouthMusings hereby endorses Mayor Jonathan Hornik for the Democratic nomination for governor in the next gubernatorial election, whenever that is.Much of the political news out of the League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City last week centered around the developing race between State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Almost as an afterthought, PolitickerNJ reported, yesterday, that Hornik wanted his name added to the gubernatorial mix.
PolitickerNJ.com spied veteran Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik at the cocktail parties and meet-and-greets in Atlantic City last week and as Democrats prepare for Senate President Steve Sweeney versus Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Hornik said he wanted to add his own name to the gubernatorial sweepstakes.
“I would definitely not rule out running in 2017 or before,” said Hornik. “I love being mayor of Marlboro, and I am running again in two years, but I think we have a story to tell.”
Hornik won re-election in 2011 with nearly 70% of the vote.
This year, Incumbent Republican Gov. Chris Christie won 75% of the vote in Marlboro while Hornik’s Democrats went 3-0 in local contests.
Just weeks from Governor Chris Christie’s reelection, the race for the next Democratic gubernatorial nomination has already started because Christie’s presidential prospects could result in a Special Election for Governor in 2015 or 2016. Should Christie resign as governor to become a full-time presidential candidate, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno would become governor. There would be a special gubernatorial election for the remainder of Christie’s term as part of the next general election, unless the resignation happens within 60 days of the next election.
