When people talk about who New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor will be, one name that frequently pops up is Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman.
The diminutive African-American woman is the second highest ranking member of the Assembly, and could bring the oft-lauded diversity to the gubernatorial ticket. But although there’s buzz about the possibility, Coleman said that whether she seeks the position depends on a higher power.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” said Coleman just before being sworn in for her sixth term in the legislature. “I’ve been asked about it. But I love what I’ve been doing in the Assembly and hope to continue to work with Joe Roberts in the Assembly. And whatever God has for me in the future he’ll show to me.”
Meanwhile, Coleman is active in the Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, and is confident that, even if her candidate loses New Hampshire tonight, she’ll still take New Jersey – even as Barack Obama is starting a push here with a Jersey City rally tomorrow.
“I think that New Jersey understands that and New Jersey is going to stand by her,” said Coleman. “I think that she has work to do to get her message, which is based in a record of accomplishment, out to people. I believe that people need to distinguish between the voice of change and the rhetoric on change.”