Former lieutenant governor of New Jersey leaves GOP

Kim Guadagno, a 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial candidate and former two-time lieutenant governor under former Gov. Chris Christie (R), has left the Republican Party to become an unaffiliated voter.

According to records obtained by The New Jersey Globe and Politico, Guadagno filed paperwork on Monday to change her party affiliation. Politico reports that she had been a registered Republican in the state for 30 years.

The move means that she’ll be able to vote for either party the June primaries ahead of next year’s elections, according to the Globe.

Guadagno, who is currently a partner at the law firm Connell Foley, lost the 2017 governor’s race in New Jersey to Gov. Phil Murphy (D). She was also a former Monmouth County sheriff.

The Globe first reported her change in party affiliation.

The New Jersey news outlet said Guadagno left the Republican Party in protest over Monmouth County Republican Chairman Shaun Golden’s leadership. 

The New Jersey Globe reported that Guadagno has had tense relations in the past with Republican leaders in Monmouth County, including Golden. The Asbury Park Press reported that he got his party to drop support for Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, for whom Guadagno campaigned, in the District 13 Assembly race.

Guadagno was also ousted from her role as the CEO for a food bank in New Jersey, which Politico reports was due to a fight over funding with Monmouth County’s Republican freeholder board.

The Hill has reached out to Guadagno for comment.