Sen. Barbara Buono is Christie's first official challenger

The race has begun.

Amid speculation that Newark Mayor Cory Booker will challenge Chris Christie in the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial race, Sen. Barbara Buono, D-18th,  announced her candidacy today.

Buono is North Jersey through and through, so folks in the Delaware Valley might recognize her only as a Senate Majority Leader. She's been a reporter, a city councilwoman, a law clerk, a public defender, a police chief and yes, a senator.

In her video announcement, Buono says she's fighting for the state's middle class and takes aim at Christie's "trickle-down economics" and his tension with teachers.

WHYY's Phil Gregory will have more late on Buono's announcement.