Saturday Night Live alum Joe Piscopo says Donald Trump's election may inspire him to run for governor of New Jersey
- Joe Piscopo, 65, became famous for impersonating Frank Sinatra on SNL
- New Jersey-born comedian says Trump's victory gives hope he can win also
- State's current governor, Chris Christie, is deeply unpopular due to Bridgegate
Joe Piscopo, the comedian who became famous for his impression of Frank Sinatra on Saturday Night Live, is considering a run for governor of his home state of New Jersey.
'I'm seriously looking at it,' he told the Associated Press, promising to make a decision by January.
'I love the people. I love the state. I know what has to be done.'
The SNL alum may look to follow in the footsteps of another comedian-turned-politician, Al Franken, who successfully changed careers and won election as a senator from Minnesota.
Joe Piscopo appears during an event to help raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of America at the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Tuesday
Like Franken before his election, Piscopo hosts a political talk show on the radio in New York.
Piscopo now says the election of Donald Trump as president has provided inspiration for his own political aspirations.
The stand-up comic, who identifies himself as a Republican, spoke at a rally for Trump in Florida during the recent election campaign.
'When I saw Mr. Trump in Tampa and he invited me to speak, I saw it was contagious. It was the movement. It wasn't the machine,' he said.
If Piscopo (left) were to run, he would seek to succeed Chris Christie (right), whose popularity in the Garden State has plummeted due to the Bridgegate scandal
If Piscopo were to run, he would seek to replace Chris Christie, the current governor of the Garden State.
Christie's popularity has fallen significantly in New Jersey due to his perceived involvement in the Bridgegate scandal.
Two former associates of Christie were convicted last month for their roles in the scheme to choke traffic heading for the busy George Washington Bridge as punishment for a local mayor's refusal to support his gubernatorial candidacy.
A poll taken in October showed that 72 per cent of New Jersey voters disapprove of Christie's performance, the New York Post reported.
Christie's difficulties have given prospective candidates hope that they can unseat him.
Piscopo reprised his Frank Sinatra impersonation during Saturday Night Live's 40th anniversary celebration special on February 15, 2015
The next gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 7, 2017.
Piscopo would be joining a field that includes Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Nutley Commissioner Steve Rogers (an adviser to Trump's campaign), and possibly Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
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