Buono takes shots at ‘bosses’ in losing bid for N.J. Governor

If the night was full of jubilation for re-elected New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, it was a different scene in Metuchen at Democrat Barbara Buono’s campaign headquarters.

“Now tonight may not have ended the way we wanted it to, but let us never look back with regret,” Buono told her supporters at a restaurant in her hometown.  

Buono officially ended her campaign for governor. She looked relaxed and sounded upbeat, as she thanked her supporters her campaign staff, and her family, thanking for them standing by her despite “the onslaught of betrayal from our own political party.” 

She had some choice words for leaders from her own party.

“The Democratic political bosses some elected some not made a deal with this governor despite him representing almost everything they’re against. They didn’t do it for the state. They did it to help themselves politically and financially,” Buono said. “But we did it our way and I’m proud of that.”

Buono did not name the bosses, but she has been critical Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, who backed Christie.  She has also complained about South Jersey powerbroker George Norcross, who has allied with Christie on issues affecting Camden and education.

As for her opponent, Gov. Christie, Buono said, at the end of the day they were both just parents who wanted the very best for their children.

“We both take pride in the fact that we live in a nation where we can all respect and uphold the democratic process.”

The senator spoke glowingly about her running mate, Milly Silva saying that it was her hope that this would not be Silva’s last campaign.

As for her own future in politics, she would only say that she would continue to stand up to be a voice for the people of New Jersey.  Buono, who was once majority leader in the state senate as well as chair of the Senate Budget Committee.  But over the years, she has lost her positions of power, leaving her in a place of not having much to lose even when jumping into a race against a popular and well-financed incumbent.  She has served in the legislature since 1994.