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[quote="ED K"]Missed opportunity? - Corzine visits RT130 in Cranbury yesterday but doesnt meet with residents.
[quote]
CRANBURY —Gov. Jon S. Corzine yesterday celebrated the business success of a biopharmaceutical company whose president may run against him next year.
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John Crowley, president of Amicus Therapeutics, became a darling of state and national Republicans this spring when they wanted him to run against U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. He has money and a made-for-the-movies story that Republicans thought could end their three-decade Senate losing streak.

Crowley founded a biotech company to develop treatments for two of his children that have Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscular dystrophy. Crowley's tale is the subject of a book that might be made into a movie.

Crowley now heads a group that recruits and helps Republican candidates.

"I've heard a little bit about you," Corzine said upon arriving at Crowley's company headquarters, which was celebrating hiring its 100th employee, six years after forming with seven in the state Economic Development Authority's business incubator program.

Corzine, pleased to meet Crowley, 41, of Princeton said they didn't discuss politics.

"I'm not antagonistic, not all of life is about politics," Corzine said. "There are things that are very admirable about what has gone on here at Amicus Therapeutics and John's life story, and I appreciate that just as anyone else would.

"We need to make sure that here in New Jersey, we're fully supportive, within the confines of our capacity, financially to support these kinds of companies," Corzine added, saying New Jersey's reputation as being hostile toward business is more perception than reality.

But not all politicos are convinced that Wednesday's meeting was all business.

"Given all of the governor's invitations, it's interesting that this one was kind of chosen out of the basket as the one that he would attend," said Montclair State University political scientist Brigid Harrison.

Crowley, who preferred to focus on his company and employees, said he plans to attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., next month, but that's to promote his party, not himself.

"We'll evaluate the opportunities as they come," said Crowley, noting he rejected a Senate run this year because it was such a life-changing decision to make in just a few days. "I have no plans to run for political office. I wouldn't rule anything in or out."

Tom Wilson, state chairman of the Republican Party, said the name atop most party leaders' list for 2009 is U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, but if he doesn't run or there's a primary, Crowley could be a strong candidate.

"You can't help but be awed by the John Crowley story," Wilson said. "This is somebody who worked every minute of every day to achieve the things he has. . . . This is a guy who has the kind of drive and determination that would be an asset in government, for sure."

Amicus, which Crowley expects to have about 120 employees by year's end, was hailed as a success story of New Jersey's economic development initiative because it was the first to hatch from the state's business incubator program. But Crowley agrees with those who complain about the taxes and regulations New Jersey imposes on business.

"There are very significant barriers," Crowley said. "We've overcome some of those barriers. . . . I think we can do much much more in the state to promote small business, particularly to grow the life-sciences industry. We have a tremendous competitive advantage in this state that we need to optimize."

Contact Gregory J. Volpe:[/quote][/quote]

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