Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono is deciding who her running mate will be.
The Metuchen senator is expected to announce her choice this week.
Contenders include a handful of local elected officials. The job is less attractive to legislators, who would have to give up their seat to run.
Polls show Buono trailing Gov. Chris Christie by about 30 points. The Republican governor is running for re-election with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
The second-in-command takes over when the governor is traveling out of state or is unable to serve.
Voters approved creating the No. 2 position in 2005, after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned over a gay affair with a staffer and then-Senate President Dick Codey became acting governor.
Critics say holding both positions gives one person too much power.
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