Christie Gets 1st Democratic Challenger for Governor: Barbara Buono from GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ State Sen. Barbara Buono announced she’s running for governor, becoming the first high-profile Democrat to launch a campaign aimed at toppling popular Republican incumbent Chris Christie next year. www.governing.com/news/state/Christie-Gets-1st-Democratic-Challenger-for-Governor-Barbara-Buono.html