Four former governors ran the gamut of New Jersey politics hot topics this morning at a League of Municipalities convention panel
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Former governor Brendan Byrne, former governors James Florio and Donald DiFrancesco appear in this file photo. Today, they kicked around whether Gov. Chris Christie will run for re-election in 2013, budget woes facing the state, gambling and Atlantic City, and national politics, among other topics.ATLANTIC CITY — Four former governors ran the gamut of New Jersey politics hot topics this morning at a League of Municipalities convention panel.
Former Govs. Brendan Byrne, Donald DiFrancesco, John Bennett and James Florio kicked around whether Gov. Chris Christie will run for re-election in 2013, budget woes facing the state, gambling and Atlantic City, and national politics, among other topics.
The League of Municipalities convention, in its 96th year, brings together local officials, legislators, vendors and lobbyists in Atlantic City for more than 125 educational programs by day, and networking events at night.
Florio said in Christie's third budget, residents will start to forget that he inherited problems, such as the state's unfunded pension system, which Florio called "mind-boggling."
"There'll be much more responsibility placed on the governor and no one's going to remember he had these problems before he came in," Florio said. "I'm not sure where you even start even dealing with those types of difficulties."
The panel — two Democrats, Florio and Byrne, and two Republicans, Bennett and DiFrancesco — was split on whether Christie would seek re-election in 2013.
DiFrancesco said Christie would run, Byrne thought he may be the vice-presidential nominee, and Bennett said if President Obama wins re-election next year, Christie may call it quits after one term to focus on running for president in 2016.
"He becomes the odds-on favorite for the Republican nomination," Bennett said.
Florio said Christie's re-election may depend on how he handles the remaining two years of his term, including the upcoming lame duck legislative session.
One thing all four former chief executives seemed to agree on though was that the recent merger vote in Princeton is a positive signal.
"I was a little bit surprised that it passed in the borough," Byrne said. "I do think you are looking at a trend."
"The communities are very much alike," said DiFrancesco, in response to a question on home rule. "I'm not sure there's much of a detriment to home rule."
Related coverage:
• League of Municipalities Convention underway in Atlantic City
