Effort on to run Piscopo for N.J. governor

WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- The political consultant who helped ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura become Minnesota's governor wants to do the same for actor Joe Piscopo in New Jersey.

Doug Friedline, who specializes in third party campaigns, is convinced Piscopo, a former cast member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," would make an attractive alternative to any of the major party candidates already in the race.

PoliticsNJ.com reported Tuesday Friedline has formed "Run Joe Run 2005," a political committee aimed at convincing the 53-year-old actor/comedian to run as independent candidate for governor of New Jersey.

A self-declared lifelong Democrat, Piscopo publicly toyed with the idea of becoming a candidate had a special election been called after Democrat Jim McGreevey resigned, but the race never materialized.

Friedline says he began promoting the Piscopo '05 idea a few months ago and has talked to Piscopo several times. He described the entertainer as "a bit hesitant."