Former Congressman and Institute of Politics (IOP) Fellow Bob Franks (R-NJ) announced his decision to run for governor of New Jersey on Thursday, only two days after his term ended as IOP Fellow.

Franks ran a well-attended study group entitled "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Money and Politics," this semester at the IOP.

"[Franks] inspired us to take a closer look at running for office ourselves," said Brian C. Grech `03, a student who attended the group. "Everyone who knows him knows what enthusiasm he has."

According to an article in The New York Times, Franks decided to run for New Jersey governor when he heard that the current acting governor of New Jersey did not plan to run. Earlier this year, former Governor Christine Todd Whitman left the position to become E.P.A. administrator for President George W. Bush-forcing a special election to be scheduled.

Franks could not be reached for comment.

Franks applied to be an IOP fellow after losing the 2000 New Jersey Senate race to Democrat Jon Corzine, who spent a record $63 million during his campaign. Though outspent ten to one in the 2000 election, Franks received 47 percent of the vote.

"He was the ideal fellow, incredibly enthusiastic. He liked getting young people involved," said Catherine McLaughlin, Executive Director of the IOP.

IOP Director and former Senator David H. Pryor said he Franks did a good job in the IOP, even though he had just lost the Senate election.

"I can say that I was totally impressed with him. I was impressed with his sincerity and desire," Pryor said. "He took a hard hit in the election; he rose above [the pain] and showed a lot of class."