Christie picks female sheriff as running mate

New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher J. Christie today announced - via Twitter - that he has chosen Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guardagno as his running mate.

Selecting a woman from the vote-rich Monmouth County, Christie said, she "has the executive experience New Jerseyans need in their lieutenant governor," according to a YouTube video from the campaign (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_qRU0pNXPA).

Christie, a former U.S. Attorney, reached for someone he knew. Guadagno, 50, is a former assistant U.S. Attorney and former assistant state Attorney General. She is married and has three sons.

In the video, she said, "this is the time in New Jersey's history where we have to make tough decisions."

Under a Constitutional change, New Jerseyeans this year will for the first time pick a lieutenant governor.

Incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine has not named a running mate yet.