Christie emphasizes governing ability with Lt. Governor pick

  AP Photo/Mel Evans

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie introduced his choice for his lieutenant governor running-mate, Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno.  With the selection, Christie appears to have based his decision largely on the question of competence, valuing Guadagno's experience as a federal prosecutor, assistant attorney general, and sheriff.  Christie and his new running-mate do not agree on every issue, abortion rights chief among them, but Christie has selected someone who has the background to step in and run the state  in his absence.

This year is the first time that New Jerseyans will elect a lieutenant governor, the office having been approved by the voters only four years ago.  Therefore, no one really knows how voters will react to the running-mates selected by each candidate.  Governor Jon Corzine is reported to be considering making a publicity splash with his selection, rumored to be former reality TV star and Newark entrepreneur Randall Pinkett.  Guadagno may not bring the Christie campaign as much sizzle, but she does serve to bolster Christie's credentials as an outsider intent on cleaning up Trenton.

Guadagno wasted no time in putting forth the campaign's message that New Jersey needs to change governors.  "I don't think of it as running for lieutenant governor as much as I do supporting the Christie administration and their efforts to change," Guadagno said.  "We have to change how [governing has] been done."

The Corzine campaign reacted swiftly to the announcement as well, labeling the Christie-Guadagno ticket as "out of touch" with New Jersey voters.  But the Christie campaign firmly believes that it is Trenton that has lost touch with the citizenry.  The selection of Guadagno is meant above all else to signal to the voters that electing Christie governor will bring a new sheriff to New Jersey's capital.