Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
She will oversee Christie's economic recovery effort
By TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Gov.-elect Chris Christie Wednesday named Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Guadagno as New Jersey's next secretary of state said she will lead his effort to create jobs and restore the stae's economy.
The responsibilities will be new for the state secretary of state position which in recent years has come to be one that oversees elections, tourism, the arts and historic preservation in New Jersey.
Guadagno, who will be next in line to the governor's chair was described by Christie as a tough, independent and experienced former prosecutor and chief executive (sheriff) of Monmouth County's largest law enforcement agency.
"Kim has been an extraordinarily capable member of my leadership team and our transition efforts, and I've tasked her specifically with the critical task of leading my administration's economic development efforts,'' Christie said. "Our campaign was about reviving our economy, creating good, lasting jobs and getting our state back on track. I am honored to have Lieutenant Governor-Elect Guadagno's continued service in this expanded role as we put New Jerseyans back to work and meet the many fiscal challenges our state faces."State Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan sees a potential conflict of interest in Guadagno's appointment.
"Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Guadagno is highly qualified to manage the many varied responsibilities required of the secretary of state,'' he said. "However, as one of the main functions of the secretary of state is as the chief elections officer in New Jersey, there would be an apparent conflict of interest if a candidate seeking public office, such as the lieutenant governor were to hold the position. To ensure the fairness and integrity of our elections it is vital that the person in charge of our state's election process does not have a vested personal interest in the results."
Guadagno is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, where she served as deputy director of the Division of Criminal Justice and deputy chief of the Corruption Unit. She was elected as Monmouth sheriff in 2007, where she has directed an annual budget of $65 million and 695 employees.
In addition to the traditional duties of the secretary of state, Guadagno will be charged with leading the development and implementation of the "New Jersey Partnership For Action," a new agency within her department to consolidate what Christie described as the state's fragmented economic development activities.
Christie said the Partnership For Action will serve as a one-stop shop for new businesses to make opening in or relocating to New Jersey easier. The agency will walk new companies through the regulatory process and assist with tax incentives to make the process more efficient. Christie said by creating these public-private partnerships to implement economic growth strategies, New Jersey will more successfully foster private sector job growth.
"I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity,'' Guadagno said. "New Jersey faces great challenges, but I firmly believe that there are always opportunities in the challenges we face. Our state is in need of new, creative solutions to make it a place where businesses and the jobs they bring can flourish. I am confident that with the New Jersey Partnership for Action we will serve our new and homegrown businesses to create sustainable, quality jobs and grow our economy."
As late as the administration of Gov. Tom Kean, the secretary of state also handled political matters for a governor.
State Republican Chairman Jay Webber praised Guadagno's appointment.
"Chris Christie is putting New Jersey first, and placing our state‘s best and brightest like Kim Guadagno where they are most needed.''
Guadagno will make $141,000 annually as secretary of state but will not accept pay for her lieutenant governor position.
