There’s no standout Democrat stepping forward to take on the New Jersey governor — assuming he decides to run again, which isn’t a given. Newark Mayor Cory Booker — the only star-studded contender who could potentially clear the field — has said publicly and told Democrats privately he’s not running for governor.
The early void means this will be the first time in the state since 1996 the party out of power heads into the fall without a presumed front-runner.
On one level a challenge to Christie — who’s been picked to give the keynote speech at the Republican National Convention next month, several news outlets reported this week — would seem to be enticing to top-flight Democrats given the state’s leftward tilt. Democrats enjoy a 12-point registration advantage, though nearly half the electorate — 47 percent — is unaffiliated with a party.
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