http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6982830NEWARK, N.J. (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine on Thursday declared he is running for governor of New Jersey, pledging to restore the public's faith in a state battered by scandals over money and sex.
The former head of investment firm Goldman Sachs & Co., who spent some $63 million of his personal fortune to win his first-term Senate seat from New Jersey in 2000, is considered an early favorite to fill the post of former Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey, who left office after admitting a gay adulterous affair.
"Given the history of recent years, New Jersey needs credible, hands-on, executive leadership," Corzine said at a news conference in Newark. He's been warned that the atmosphere in the state capital of Trenton "has been poisoned by procrastination, corruption and financial mismanagement," he said.
"We need a governor whose first priority is to earn the trust of the people of this state," he said as he announced his candidacy. "I believe there's been far too much abuse of power in the state. I believe we ought to change that culture."