Democrat Ray Lesniak now says he will run for governor of New Jersey

New Jersey Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak

New Jersey Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak

Democratic state Senator Ray Lesniak has reconsidered and now says he will run for governor of New Jersey. 

In October, Lesniak announced he was filing the papers to run for governor and giving every indication that he was in. At that time, the only declared candidate was The only declared Democrat in the race for governor of New Jersey was Phil Murphy, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany and one time Goldman Sachs executive.

But then he had second thoughts about his chances. Murphy had already secured key party endorsements and knew the former Wall Street executive could out spend his opponents. Murphy has pledged $10 million of his own cash to his campaign.

 

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That’s when it was reported that Lesniak had decide not to run.

But that was then and now Lesniak says he changed his mind because he “could not sit back” with the state’s economy was in poor shape.

He joins fellow Democrats Phil Murphy, and Assemblyman John Wisniewski along with Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. Also, Republican Assemblyman Jon Bramnick said yesterday he would NOT run for governor. 

Lesniak, an attorney, has served in the Senate from 1983 onward.

He says his top priority would be making New Jersey affordable.

Republican Governor Chris Christie is limited to two-terms and will leave office in January 2018. 

The primary is June 6, 2017.

The General Election is November 7, 2017.

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