Where's Barbara Buono?

New Brunswick, NJ – Below please find the public schedule for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono for June 15-16.


NJEA - NEA Caucus Meeting

Saturday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m.

3 Tower Center Blvd
East Brunswick, NJ 08816


UP CLOSE WITH DIANA WILLIAMS

Sunday, June 16, at 11:00 a.m.

WABC - TV

Where's Barbara Buono?

New Brunswick, NJ – Below please find the public schedule for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono for Wednesday, June 12

ATLANTIC COUNTY

NJ State AFL-CIO COPE Legislative Endorsement Conference

Wednesday, June 12, at 9:00 a.m.

 Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
 2100 Pacific Ave,
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

MERCER COUNTY

 State ELC Dinner

Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m.

Hyatt Regency
102 Carnegie Center
 Princeton, NJ 08540

Buono Accepts Monmouth County Dems Endorsement for Governor

Last night at the I.B.E.W. Local 400 union hall in Wall Township, the Monmouth County Democrats held, what was billed as a "New Years Party with a special guest speaker" to mingle with fellow Democrats and ring in 2013. What it turned out to be was a huge reception to endorse State Senator Barbara Buono as the Monmouth Democrats choice for Governor in 2013.

When I walked in, the hall was packed with nearly 300 party faithful all eager to hear one of the worse kept secrets that I can remember in recent years, which was that the Monmouth Dems were endorsing Senator Buono for Governor and that she would be in attendance to accept that endorsement.

When Chairman Gopal stated before introducing Buono, “We’re going to work hard for you, senator, not just in June, to make sure you’re the next governor of New Jersey,” the crowed in attendance roared with approval.

Gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono

When Senator Buono took to the podium, she accepted the Monmouth Dems endorsement she talked tough about Governor Christie's failed policies and empty promises, about how nearly 1 in 10 residents in the state are unemployed with no job plan to put them back to work and how his  2016 presidential aspirations have hurt and will continue to hurt New Jerseyians.

By the time she was finished, there was no doubt in the room that she would be a very strong and formidable challenger. I was once again impressed.

If you want to read a more indepth accounting of what went on last night, san my bias, Max Pizzaro of PolitckerNJ and Mark Bonamo of NJ.com have very good write-ups today.  

Here are a few more pictures from last night of Senator Buono that I took:

Buono Campaign Raises $250K In First Month

State Senator Barbra Buono has stated that her fundraising effort for the shortened quarter has exceeded her expectations. By raising $250,000 since announcing her candidacy for Governor last month. She has quickly jumped out and has seized the early upper hand over any of her potential democratic rivals for the right to take on Gov. Christie in November.

It is going to take a lot of money to unseat Christie from his governor's chair, upwards or over $50 -$100 million in my estimation. So it is crucial for her (or any democrat) to get off to a fast start, solidify support and raise as much money as possible.

If others, such as  Steve Sweeney, Dick Cody or even former EPA Chief Lisa Jackson, are thinking about jumping in to the race, they better hurry before Buono sucks up all the cash and solidifies her backing.

Buono has been under estimated before and has shown her toughness as a former Budget Committee chair and NJ Senate majority leader.

I support her and wish her well.

Barbara Buono, "I just filed my papers, and I’m running for Governor!"

State Senator Barbra Buono  (D-Metuchen) has become the first Democrat in the state to throw her hat into the ring to challenge Gov. Christie in next year's 2013 gubernatorial campaign. She filed the paperwork earlier this morning.

I have meet her on several occasions over the past couple of years and I have to say, she'll be a fantastic candidate that shouldn't be underestimated or counted out. She is one tough cookie!

The question remains however, who else will take the plunge to challenge Buono for the Democratic nomination? A lot of names have been thrown about lately; former Governor Dick Cody, NJ State Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Cory Booker (the 8 hundred pound gorilla in the room), and Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Frank Pallone to name a few. We'll have to wait and see.

In the mean time, take a look at the video posted by Senator Buono on YouTube announcing her candidacy.

"All of us are focused on rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, but we have so much more to do. Under Governor Christie, our middle class has taken a beating. Property taxes have shot up and so has unemployment, now the highest in three decades. And we've fallen to 47th out of 50 states in economic growth.

It's time for a leader in Trenton who will put the middle class first -- lifting our schools instead of scapegoating our teachers; protecting property taxpayers rather than pushing income tax cuts for millionaires..." - NJ State Senator Barabra Buono