What’s next for Lisa P. Jackson?  Photo: Kevin Wolf/AP

Almost as soon as Lisa Jackson announced this morning that she will not stay for another term as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the rumors started to fly about her next move.

Will she take on New Jersey’s super-popular Republican Governor Chris Christie next year? Or is she clearing her schedule in hopes that Princeton University will call?

The New York Times and Washington Post are reporting that Jackson may be a candidate for president of Princeton. Shirley Tilghman, the university’s current president, plans to step down at the end of the current academic year.

No doubt there would be other top-notch candidates for such a prestigious academic position, but the prospect of challenging Christie looks more like a kamikaze mission than a wise career move.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who many Democrats believed/hoped/prayed would give Christie a run for his (and donors’) money, decided last week to go after the low-hanging fruit instead. He announced plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Democrat Frank Lautenberg, a fellow Democrat, should Mr. Lautenberg, who turns 89 next month, seek another term in Washington.

Reducing the odds of a Christie challenge even further is the fact that State Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski says Jackson so far has not dialed him up–the polite (and savvy) thing to do if she’s contemplating any campaign on the Democrat ticket.

We hope Mrs. Jackson keeps us guessing for a while. Something to look forward to in 2013.

Who do you think would make a good successor at the EPA? Will Congress cooperate? Tell us what you think in the opinion box below. If one is not visible, activate it by clicking on the tiny ‘comments’ line

Related environmental news stories:

Jackson, from EPA to Princeton? 
Lisa Jackson resigns, fueling talk about run for N.J. governor 
E.P.A. Chief to Step Down, With Climate Still Low Priority 

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