Bill targets N.J. No. 2 candidates
Aspiring lieutenant governors might have to reveal personal and political information.
TRENTON - New Jersey's aspiring lieutenant governors might have to reveal a host of personal and political information when running for the new post.
State lawmakers today are scheduled to discuss a bill that would force the contenders to disclose the same information as candidates for governor. This includes stock and property ownership, campaign spending, and the sources of campaign donations, state officials said.
The candidates would also have to participate in a debate if their running mates - those running for governor - accept public financing. Those would-be governors must be in two debates.
Slated for discussion in the Assembly State Government Committee, the bill would ensure that aspiring lieutenants follow "the same rules as everyone else and each other," said Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, the bill's sponsor.
If signed into law, the measure would take effect immediately.
"Right now there isn't any disclosure requirement," said Quigley, (D., Jersey City).
Created in 2005 by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the lieutenant governor position will take effect in January, when the gubernatorial campaign winner is sworn in.
Aspiring governors must pick their lieutenants within 30 days of the primary election, which will be held on June 2 this year. Each pair will run on the same ticket.