Insiders couldn’t stop talking this week about Steve Fulop’s announcement of his choice for Lieutenant Governor next week.
Supposedly, the unveiling will go down in Montclair, which immediately opened up the possibility of former state Senator Nia Gill, who lives in Montclair.
Gill, you’ll recall, lost her LD-34 Senate seat in a 2023 Democratic Primary against Dick Codey.
Codey backs Mikie Sherrill (of Montclair) for governor, of course, along with the same Essex County Democratic Party organization that gave Gill the heave-ho.
So, she’s at the top of insider lists as a Fulop option.
She would bring some high-octane energy and political proficiency into the race – and a rather potent, vengeance-laden edge.
Then there’s former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37), outdueled that same year by the Bergen County Democratic Committee-backed Gordon Johnson.
Viewed as a less diabolical choice for the job than Gill – given the shrewd incisions that the former senator would cause in Sherrill’s home county – Vainieri Huttle nonetheless would join Fulop’s ticket with a kind of sleeves-rolled-up anti-establishment zest.
Then there’s former Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer, who served a term in the legislature before opting out, apparently horrified by business as usual down there in Trenton, which happens to dovetail nicely with Fulop’s throw-the-bums-out campaign message.
Insiders were kicking around some other names, too, among them South Orange President Sheena Collum, and Montclair Mayor Renee Baskerville. Sources shot down two other audacious possible picks: Former Mayor Sean Spiller (he wouldn’t back out of the gubernatorial contest to back Fulop, or back out period, a source insisted), and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, who lost the line last month for a vacant senate seat to slate mate Benjie Wimberly (source: “She wouldn’t do that to [Passaic Democratic Chairman John] Currie”).
But Gill created the most sparks of intrigue in the lead-up to Fulop’s announcement next week, on the strength of her longstanding rivalry with Essex County Democratic Chairman Jones, and – more recently – Codey, who beat her, only to announce his retirement, not to mention her prowess, and haunting presence right in Sherrill’s hometown, of all places.
In a recent poll conducted by InsiderNJ, it was revealed that Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is considering several potential candidates for his Lieutenant Governor choice in the upcoming election. The poll surveyed voters across the state to gauge their opinions on who would be the best fit for the position, and the results are sure to have an impact on Fulop’s decision-making process.
One of the top contenders in the poll was Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, who has been a rising star in the Democratic Party and has garnered support from a wide range of voters. Sumter’s experience in the state legislature and her commitment to issues such as healthcare and education have made her a popular choice among voters who want to see progressive change in New Jersey.
Another strong contender in the poll was State Senator Teresa Ruiz, who has been a vocal advocate for education reform and has a strong track record of working across party lines to get things done. Ruiz’s experience in the state senate and her ability to build coalitions make her a formidable candidate for the Lieutenant Governor position.
Other potential candidates mentioned in the poll include Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, who has a strong base of support in his district and has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, and Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, who has been a champion for women’s rights and social justice issues.
Overall, the poll results show that there are several strong candidates for Steve Fulop to consider as his potential Lieutenant Governor choice. Each candidate brings their own unique strengths and experiences to the table, and it will be interesting to see who Fulop ultimately decides to choose as his running mate in the upcoming election. Voters can expect a competitive race with a strong Democratic ticket that is focused on bringing positive change to New Jersey.
