Reports: N.J. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno will run for governor

Guadagno's run is 'imminent,' sources report

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has filed paperwork with the state indicating she will enter the New Jersey governor’s race, according to reports.

NorthJersey.com says the move makes her the early favorite to be the Republican nominee for the state's top office.

The paperwork Guadagno, 57, filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission allows her to begin fundraising.

Guadagno, New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor and the second-in-command to Gov. Chris Christie, has been rumored as one of the Republicans eyeing her boss’ job for some time now. Christie’s term ends in 2018.

The Asbury Park Press reported earlier that political sources, as well as Guadagno herself, had hinted an announcement was “imminent” and that she’d make the decision to run soon after New Jersey's State of the State speech, which was delivered on Tuesday.

Other Republicans to declare their candidacies for governor are Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli; Nutley, N.J. Commissioner Steve Rogers; and Ocean County businessman Joseph Rullo. The Democrats running, to date, are Phil Murphy, Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Sen. Ray Lesniak.

Read more at NorthJersey.com.