Max Pizzaro at Politickernj is reporting that Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno has "faired very well during the vetting process," for Lietuenant Governor candidate and is on Chris Christie's short list.
If selected, Guadagno's nomination would culminate a meteoric rise to the top of New Jersey politics in just two years.
In 2007, while serving as a relatively unknown Commissioner in Monmouth Beach, Kim emerged as a front runner for an 11th district Assembly seat following Steve Corodemus's surprise decision to retire rather seek re-election after it became apparent that Sean Kean was the party favorite for the Senate seat held by Joe Palaia.
Joe Oxley's astonishing decision to announce his retirement as Monmouth County Sheriff during a candidates screening committee meeting left the Monmouth GOP scrambling to find a candidate for Sheriff. Guadagno gave up her Assembly bid to accept the Sheriff's nomination, after quite a bit of deliberation on her part and cajoling on the part of party leaders.
If not for the unexpected retirements of Corodemus and Oxley in 2007, Guadagno would probably still be a Monmouth Beach Commissioner.
Unlike many politicians, Guadagno in known for her extremely competent service rather than her ambition. She embodies service and excellence. Underneath her genuinely friendly and humble good nature is a keen intellect and toughness. She is tough without being derisive.
Should Christie choose her, New Jersey voters will love Kim Guadagno.
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7 comments:
Christie would have to go far to do better. While Sheriff Guadagno's move to Trenton would be a loss for Monmouth County, it would be a big win for New Jersey.
Art - I never thought of Kim for the job, but it would be a stroke of genius. She is smart, effective and has the type of no-nonsense style that we would need in Trenton. She would also appeal to a very important demographic in the state. Between going after the urban vote through education, not groveling at the feet of the NJEA,facing the pathetic Democrats in D.C. and now this, Christie seems to really be making all the right moves, even if Kim is just being considered at this point.
While I think the world of Sheriff Guadagno, I'm not sure it's the best move for Christie. In my opinion, Christie needs a LG candidate who brings leadership on the economy. The one knock on CC right now is his economic policies. I think a LG candidate that has a background in business or has a proven track record of job creation (Kyrillos for example) would be a better alternative. Sheriff Guadagno represents the same lawyer/crime fighter aspect that I believe CC already has in the bank.
Anon 9:28. You raise a good point, but Kim has effectively managed a department with a large budget and staff, which gives her some fiduciary experience. The most important thing to keep in mind is the reality that most voters in this state, and in general, are not that well thought out. People vote for people for the shallowest of reasons. Therefore, a woman on the ticket would help with female voters. A woman with a law and order background would reassure cynical voters fed up with corruption. Most importantly, the voters were so burned the last time around by the "financial wizard" businessman candidate, that that criteria may not go over the way it did last time. Still liking the sound of Christie/Guadagno more and more.
While I also think Kim would be a very good lt. gov, wouldn't this be a pair of candidates representing the same niche - law enforcement?
I for selfish reasons do not want to lose her.In addition to being a good Sheriff she is a genuinely warm person,bright,a sense of humor,and has character.Why would we want her in Trenton.KIM,DON'T LEAVE US!!!Kim if you go you will miss us,
with all the grief she has endured the past 6 months just by doing a great job and sticking up for her employees against that awful county Dem budget, wouldn't blame her a bit: you GO, girl: and, folks, forget all the above: Christie HAS to win big in Bergen and Monmouth, or he loses, period- agreed, he's been smart so far: but, LG has to be a woman, from a county that brings him more of a plurality, period..Donovan or Guadagno,( I love Irish and Italian names for the GOP!)either helps us WIN: eye on the prize, like the Dems: can't do a THING if ya lose!..
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