It’s time for the Lieutenant Governor to pick a potential future lieutenant governor as her running mate.
Some possibilities?
Here are just a handful of the names currently in circulation. This is not an exhaustive list, and the names provided are offered in no particular order so ignore the numbering and don’t call/email/text/message me to complain about it. (Note: I also removed obvious choices like Jennifer Beck, Declan O’Scanlon and Chris Brown because they’re engaged in competitive legislative races and are therefore likely off the board this cycle, and other ‘rising star’ names like Monmouth GOP Chairman Shaun Golden because we’re unlikely to get multiple Monmouth candidates on the same ticket).
Have fun, folks:
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(1) Jack Ciattarelli
An obvious choice to some extent but also not very likely for equally obvious reasons. Just don’t rule it out.
(2) Joe Piscopo
The LG’s celebrity surrogate almost ran himself before endorsing her; he was last scene cracking jokes on-stage at her victory party. He’s got more name recognition than any other name on this list state-wide thanks to his SNL tenure and he polled well in a hypothetical primary race. He’d also presumably help shore up her support with Trump Republicans distrustful of the nominee after she refused to vote for him.
(3) Bill Spadea
The other big booster in N.J./N.Y. media circles in NJ 101.5’s morning guy and a friend of this website. The GOP ticket desperately needs energy which Spadea could undoubtedly provide by the gallon. Would he give up his microphone to #DigInWithKim on the trail? And would the Guadagno folks worry about their candidate being overshadowed by a professional communicator in the #2 spot? The reactions of pro-gas tax legislators would also factor into the official calculus.
(4) Randy Brown
The veteran Evesham Mayor and Baltimore Ravens kicking coach is reportedly very interested in the job; he bucked Burlington’s GOP organization and endorsed Guadagno in the primary, too, earning loyalty points with the LG’s team. Worth noting: the LG’s FIRST post-victory stop on Wednesday morning was a ‘Affordability Roundtable With NJ Family & Mayor Randy Brown‘. An audition, perhaps?
(5) Maria Rodriguez-Gregg
Assuming she defeats a controversial pending DWI charge (which most observers believe is very likely), Asw. Rodriguez-Gregg of District 8 could give the ticket some balance — she’s a young, articulate Latina legislator from a South Jersey purple county (Burlington). Would the Republican organization that opposed Guadagno’s nomination go along with the resulting candidate shuffle in LD8? Probably, sources tell us.
(6) Erick Peterson
Up in deep-red LD23, the solidly-conservative former Hunterdon County freeholder and current Assemblyman is a safe choice from North Jersey and one whom the base would like (he notably defended the LG when Christie’s front office attacked her over the gas tax flap).
(7) John Lanza
Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Lanza is a talented politician; he was a Ciattarelli backer, too, and one who could help bring other Central Jersey Ciattarelli supporters back into the fold.
(8) Mike Doherty
A never-afraid-to-throw-down State Senator with Trump and grassroots conservative street cred. Going with the NJGOP’s leading mountain man would signal a clear departure from the era of Christie era if that’s a real campaign goal.
(9) Hirsh Singh
Guadagno singled out the young Indian businessman for his strong 3rd place finish in yesterday’s GOP gubernatorial primary. He’s from South Jersey and would add both diversity and valuable not-of-Trenton experience to the ticket.
(10) Holly Schepisi
Assuming she’s serious about passing on a congressional fight next year? The conservative Bergen legislator from District 39 and anti-affordable housing mandate crusader would add North Jersey heft to the LG’s ticket.
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