Jon Corzine will have a primary opponent:

[Kire]

Former Stafford Mayor Wesley K. Bell has announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Governor. Bell, a perennial candidate who has lost bids for U.S. Senate and the legislature, was recalled as Mayor in 1983 and has unsuccessfully run for Mayor four times since then.

http://www.politicsnj.com/index_February1_2005.asp

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. Doubt he is a serious challenge at all

n/t

[Kire]

2. I dunno.

sometimes, those 'perennial candidates' can really cause a lot of damage.

Look at LaRouche and all that he has accomplished.


/sarcasm/

[Cha]

3. What's the word on why Corzine wants

to be Governor of New Jersey instead of a Senator?

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. I think he prefers to be an executive and not a legislator...

also it could put him in a better position for 2008...we all know how senators have fared lately in presidential elections

[Cha]

5. Thanks...that makes more

sense to me now.

[Rowdyboy]

6. Some states have a very strong executive with lots of patronage

to dole out. I'm not sure if New Jersey fits that description of not, but it might help explain his decision. Also, Corzine's career was as an executive and sometimes they don't take well to becoming just one voice among many in a senate with 100 members. Add to that the fact that Dems are in a minority and hold no power but that of the filibuster and its not so hard to see why he would want out. Especially if he has any interest in ever running for president.

[Cha]

7. Thanks, RB.

Hope New Jersey gets a good Democratic Senator to fill his seat.

[LynneSin]

11. I also think that Corzine is trying to protect the Democratic party...

...damaged by both Toricelli and McGreevey incidents. Lautenberg will keep Toricelli's old senate seat safe for awhile and Corzine's seat will be safe when he wins governor and can appoint his own replacement.

Personally, I think if Corizine didn't step in and run for governor that the NJ Statehouse would probably be back in Republican control. And even though Bob Frank republican would be moderate, there's always Bob Forester and Bret Schundler waiting in the wings who are both rabid repukes.

I adore Jon Corzine and I'm looking forward to travelling to NJ and help get him elected (I'm in Delaware)

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Corzine's the perfect guy for the job

He's an outsider who uses his own money and isn't involved with the corruption in the state. He was also the Chairman of Goldmann Sachs, so he knows a few things about money.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. He will be able to accomplish more as Governor than as

a Senator in the minority party.

[Jersey Ginny]

10. Presidential run?

History suggests that its easier to be elected pres as a Governor. I've wondered if he is positioning himself.