From the August 26, 2004 issue of The Hunterdon County Democrat
No joke: Comedian Joe Piscopo mulls run for governor
By Gene Robbins
Try this one on, but not for laughs: Comedian, entertainer and county resident Joe Piscopo is considering running for governor.
The man who wrote the skit asking, "You from Jersey? What exit?" said he was "considering all options." A lifelong Democrat, he said he's being encouraged by "serious, young businessmen" who plan to hold a press conference after Labor Day to announce the formation of an exploratory campaign.
Piscopo, who described himself as oozing with "heart, body and soul for New Jersey," would run to ride to the rescue of the state's reputation.
"I did jokes (about the state) 20 years ago, but this isn't funny anymore," he said. "I feel an overwhelming sense of duty and responsibility to do what is right for New Jersey."
If Gov. McGreevey resigns before early September, there'll be a special election Nov. 2 for the remaining 14 months of his term. If Gov. McGreevey continues to dig in his heels and stays until Nov. 15, the state will elect a governor for a full term next year.
Piscopo said his relationship with Gov. and Dina McGreevey is "cordial and friendly. Our hearts go out to the governor and First Lady," he said. "It's an unfortunate situation for all of New Jersey, and the bad press is going to affect us for generations to come."
Piscopo, 53, is an Essex County native who has lived in Hunterdon for more than seven years. He and his family moved here after settling on Voorhees High School as a place to educate his son, also Joe, a 1997 Viking graduate and now a classical theater actor in New York City. Piscopo, his wife Kimberly, daughter Alexandra, 5, and son Michael, 2, live near Califon.
He's been known to give time and energy to raise money for good causes. His Positive Impact Foundation is designed to create positive media for at-risk inner-city youth.
"I really want to bring the positive name of New Jersey forward," he said. "No one is doing damage control, and that is upsetting me very much."
He professed his love for the state and Hunterdon. He spent a perfect Sunday this past weekend attending Immaculate Conception Church in Clinton Township, then buying pizza and window shopping in Clinton.
He said he was "hurt and disappointed" Aug. 13 when he heard the governor was gay, had an adulterous affair and would resign in November. The situation is tough for families to explain, he said. When his daughter asked him why the governor was resigning, Piscopo said he thought hard before saying the governor had some "personal problems" to take care of.
He's an effusive advocate of protecting the nation from terrorism, to the extent of outfitting officers with flak-jackets and the tops of buildings with anti-aircraft guns, hacking into terrorists' Web sites and taking X-rays of ships entering state ports. That's why it particularly hurt when he heard McGreevey hired an unqualified friend to direct the state's homeland security efforts.
There are other issues that concern him, he said, like support for families and public schools and lowering property taxes and car insurance. "And is someone going to do away with tolls, or are we just going to talk about it?" he said.
He said it was "mind boggling" to be considered worthy enough to be the state's chief executive, but he thought people knew him to be an honest guy with no personal agenda. "What you see is what you get," he said.
He said he was getting e-mails saying the state needs "citizen politicians," but he holds no delusions. New Jersey politics are the toughest in the world, he said.
Next week he'll perform with his 18-piece band in a Frank Sinatra tribute show on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid as one of the entertainment activities during the Republican National Convention.
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