Buono expected to name running mate soon

 New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono waves to a gathering of supporters Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, after she officially kicked off her campaign for New Jersey governor. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono waves to a gathering of supporters Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, after she officially kicked off her campaign for New Jersey governor. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono is deciding who her running mate will be.

The Metuchen senator is expected to announce her choice this week.

Contenders include a handful of local elected officials. The job is less attractive to legislators, who would have to give up their seat to run.

Polls show Buono trailing Gov. Chris Christie by about 30 points. The Republican governor is running for re-election with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

The second-in-command takes over when the governor is traveling out of state or is unable to serve.

Voters approved creating the No. 2 position in 2005, after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned over a gay affair with a staffer and then-Senate President Dick Codey became acting governor.

Critics say holding both positions gives one person too much power.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal