NEW BRUNSWICK – At a NAIOP breakfast forum this morning, Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19) packaged himself as a knows-where-the-bodies-are-buried, two-decades-plus-in-the-state-capitol-grounded option in this year’s governor’s contest.

Pitted against former Goldman Sachs executive Phil Murphy in the Democratic Primary, Wisniewski is – on the one hand – trying to reach progressives (he was the state director here for Bernie Sanders and his staff includes veterans of Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

But – in front of this buttoned down group – he burnished his experience as a veteran suit-wearing pro under the Gold Dome.

In a tacit nod to his contest with Murphy, he began his speech to the audience with a reference to former Governor Jon Corzine, who was also a former Goldman Sachs executive. “He did so well that after four years [New Jersey] elected Chris Christie,” the long-shot Democratic candidate for governor said. “The theme is after 12 years after having outsiders come into Trenton, we are no better off.

“The middle class is the key to success in New Jersey,” he added, boasting to the crowd about his opposition to Gov. Chris Christie’s gas tax hike to pay for the state Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).