Comic Joe Piscopo considers run for governor as independent

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Joe Piscopo won't run as a Republican in New Jersey's upcoming governor's race, but the comedian best known for his Frank Sinatra impression on "Saturday Night Live" says he is "more serious" than ever about joining the field as an independent.

The news that the radio host is skipping the Republican primary and leaving the party to become an independent comes ahead of a pending registration deadline and sets him up for a long-shot third-party bid.

Christie's approval rating is as low as it's ever been, and Democrats are feeling optimistic in a state that has about 800,000 more Democratic voters than Republicans.

While unaffiliated voters make up the biggest registration category in the state, political experts say that isn't likely to lead to victory.

Independents lack party structure that can help get the vote out and raise money, said Peter Woolley, a politics professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

The leading Democratic candidate is Phil Murphy, a former Wall Street executive and Obama administration ambassador.