State Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13), Middletown, moments ago issued a statement concerning his 2012 bid for the U.S. Senate.

The statement is printed in its entirety below:

"Our country is in trouble and Washington is failing us.  Americans have seen their neighbors lose their jobs, their home values fall, their savings shrink, and their economic horizon darkened by a record $15 trillion national debt.  Washington has responded with nothing but partisan squabbling and reckless spending, and now Bob Menendez is seeking re-election to deliver more of the same.
 
"New Jersey needs a strong voice for change.  As the father of two young children, I believe we can and must restore the limitless opportunities and freedom that made America great and inspired people like my own father to immigrate to this country.  That's why today I converted my exploratory effort into a campaign committee and will soon formally announce my candidacy for the United States Senate. 
 
"We have proven in New Jersey that strong leadership can change things for the better.  Under Governor Christie’s leadership and with the support of fiscal conservatives like myself, we took a state that had been mismanaged to the brink of bankruptcy, and we turned it around.  I intend to do the same in Washington.  Voters have a clear contrast – Bob Menendez will offer more of the same: more debt, more spending and more joblessness.  I will offer real solutions to renew America's promise."