Comedian will not run for New Jersey governor as Republican
A comedian best known for his Frank Sinatra impression on “Saturday Night Live” won’t run as a Republican in New Jersey’s upcoming governor’s race, but Joe Piscopo says he is “more serious than ever” about joining the field as an independent.
A longtime Democrat until recently and a backer of President Donald Trump, Piscopo’s potential candidacy to replace Republican Gov. Chris Christie has been a constant question mark in New Jersey, which along with Virginia is one of only two governor’s races in the U.S. this year.
The news that the radio host is skipping the Republican primary and leaving the party to become an independent comes ahead of a pending registration deadline and sets him up for a long shot third-party bid.
“I am more serious about this than ever before. We’re coming up with initiatives. It’s all working out,” he said. “I’m very, very excited to have an opportunity to help the people of New Jersey. I’m not being coy. I’m very careful and respectful.”
He said he reached the decision because of the pending April 3 deadline to declare in the primary, which would force him to quit his radio job because of rules mandating that candidates get equal time on public airwaves. He also cited the need to set up campaign committees, which he hasn’t yet done.
He now faces a June 6 deadline to file as an independent, but says he hasn’t decided when he will.
Piscopo, 65, gained fame as a member of the “SNL” cast, impersonating fellow Jersey native Sinatra as well as late-night host David Letterman. He also appeared in films and hosts a political talk radio show in New York and is a spokesman for the Boys and Girls Club.
Piscopo was seen as a potential buoy to Republicans, whose leading candidate is Christie’s top deputy, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.