I've been so embroiled in the administration and *'s self-inflicted mess' that I haven't been keeping up on who's running for what. I've got to get with it!!!

Dear Kire,

It's an incredibly humbling and wonderful experience to be able to fight for what matters. Almost five years ago, I left private life to fight full time as your Senator for the causes and the people I believe in. Early in my life, I started at the ground floor of a great American business, worked hard, and made my way to the top. I have been blessed with a loving family, good public schools, and the strength and support of my community. I know the American Dream, because I have lived it.

I am running for Governor of New Jersey because I want everyone to have the same shot at it that I did. And in traveling the state and engaging with thousands of constituents over the years, it's clear to me that opportunity is something we all believe in. So this campaign for governor will be a different campaign, because expanding opportunity is not what I will run on in this campaign. It is what we will run on in our campaign.

The simple reality is that New Jersey is in a fiscal crisis. The path to this crisis has been long and winding, but the challenge of restoring credibility confidence to our government falls on all of us. I am a reformer who believes in accountability, but I also believe that progressive political change happens only when the people are involved in politics and government. I am a businessman who knows that only sound visionary management with leaders focused on solving tough problems can fix the immediately dire situation we find ourselves in. But I also know that a campaign like this and a government like the one we all want can only come about if every citizen in New Jersey who cares about our future can find their way into this campaign.

That is why I have asked Congressman Pallone and Holt and Blair McGinnis to lead a new campaign to solicit ideas, opinions, participation, and hard work from everyone in New Jersey. This new effort is called the Corzine Connection, and you can find it online at http://www.CorzineConnection.com/. The future of New Jersey - and the future of the Democratic Party - will be built on the entry of new people and new ideas into politics, into campaigns, and ultimately, into government. The Corzine Connection is a strong step in this direction.

When you elected me to the Senate, I promised you would get a fighter who stand up against insiders and special interests, unbought and unbossed. I have kept this promise. I stood with the 9/11 families to get the 9/11 commission established, and against stiff opposition I fought to make chemical facilities safe from terrorists. We worked to protect New Jersey's prescription drug program, won the battle for corporate reforms in the wake of Enron and Worldcom, and protected thousands of acres in the New Jersey Highlands from overdevelopment. I do not run away from responsibility, or tough situations.

So today, I am formally kicking off my campaign to become Governor of New Jersey. (The full text of my kickoff speech can be found here). I hope you'll join me in seeking reform by signing up for the Corzine Connection. During this campaign, for the next eight months, and beyond, we will hold a statewide conversation on the future of New Jersey, and by extension, America. I have begun this conversation with a strong proposal on ethics. I have also proposed a comprehensive plan to move New Jersey away from 'tax, borrow, and spend' to a long-term strategy to 'invest, grow, and prosper'. I am asking you now to join me in this conversation at http://www.corzineconnection.com/.

When I was CEO of Goldman Sachs, it was rated one of the 10 best places to work in America. Working together, we are going to make New Jersey the best places in America to live, to work, to go to school, to start a business and to grow old with dignity. Together, we will set a new standard of excellence.

Best,

Jon Corzine