Cryan Backs Buono For Governor

The former head of New Jersey's Democratic State Committee has endorsed Sen. Barbara Buono for governor.

Assemblyman Joe Cryan's backing is the Middlesex County Democrat's first endorsement in Union County and comes after fellow Union County representative Sen. Ray Lesniak urged former Gov. Dick Codey to get in to the race.

Codey was in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to drum up support for a possible candidacy.

Recent public opinion polls like one released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University shows Republican Gov. Chris Christie beating any potential Democrat by margins of at least 2-to-1.

Establishment Democrats have nonetheless been slow to unite behind Buono, the only major candidate in the race so far.

Cryan, who like Buono was stripped of a leadership post, says it's time for Democrats "to progress and grow."

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)