Donald Trump endorses ‘Apprentice’ for NJ Lt. Gov.

The Donald speaks!

Donald Trump has endorsed a former “Apprentice” winner for New Jersey Lieutenant Governor. Randal Pinkett is “the leading candidate on a shrinking list of names being considered as Gov. Jon Corzine’s running mate in the November election,” the AP reports.

“I think he will do fantastically,” Trump told The Associated Press this morning. “He’s a tremendous leader. That’s why I chose him; I know what I’m doing.”

President Barack Obama is due to campaign with Corzine in New Jersey on Thursday, fueling speculation that the governor could announce his pick by then. Corzine and GOP challenger Chris Christie have until July 27 to name their running mates.

Corzine campaign spokesman Patrick McKenna said today that candidates’ backgrounds were still being checked and that no decision had been made.

An interesting side note: New Jersey has never had to deal with a Lt. Gov. selection process before. The legislature only created the position in 2005, after the power shake up resulting from Gov. Jim McGreevey’s (D) sudden resignation.