Oliver and Rendo to meet in only Lt. Governor debate with Obama coming to town

MONTCLAIR — The two top party candidates seeking to be New Jersey's next lieutenant governor are set to square off in their first and only debate.

Democratic Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver and Republican Mayor Carlos Rendo, of Woodcliff Lake, will debate Monday night at Montclair State University. It will air live on NJTV.

Oliver is on the Nov. 7 ballot with Democratic candidate Phil Murphy. Rendo was picked by current GOP Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

Whichever candidate wins the election will be the state's second lieutenant governor, a position first held by Guadagno.

The second and final debate between Murphy and Guadagno is set for Wednesday.

Murphy's campaign announced Monday that Obama would be attending an event in Newark on Thursday. He has welcomed a handful of high-profile Democratic officials to the state as part of his effort to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

Former Vice President Al Gore stumped for Murphy over the weekend. And Joe Biden and John Kerry were also in New Jersey last week for Murphy.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie cannot seek a third term because of term limits.

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states electing new governors this year.

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