PARAMUS — Comedian Joe Piscopo will not make a run for governor.

During an appearance at Bergen Community College in Paramus Wednesday morning, Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno joined Piscopo and accepted his endorsement.

"I am not a divider. I am not an obstructionist. I am a unifier," Piscopo said during his announcement, "My entry into the race as an independent would be divisive and perhaps not in the best interest of our friends and neighbors. It is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce here today that I will not be entering the gubernatorial race in New Jersey at this time."

Guadagno said Piscopo's decision was a "big sacrifice" and said that they discovered during a conversation that they agree on many issues.

"There was not a single point of disagreement," Guadagno said. "We believe that New Jersey can be better. We do believe that we can do better for New Jersey. We need to start talking with pride about New Jersey again."

"This woman knows exactly what the heartbeat of this state is," Piscopo said. He said he will be a "cheerleader" for her candidacy and will campaign for her around the state.

In a Quinipiac poll released hours after Piscopo announced his decision he was the choice of 14% of voters in a three-way race between Guadagno, who got 21%  and Democrat Phil Murphy who received 41%. 29% said they were undecided.

Piscopo, a former Saturday Night Live regular who lives in Lebanon, had been considering a run first as a Republican and then as an independent when the deadline to file for the primary passed in April.

“I am more serious about this than ever before. We’re coming up with initiatives. It’s all working out,” he said in April. “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.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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