Why they run: Merkt and Bergmanson remain confident

A Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday showed just two percent of Republican primary voters supporting gubernatorial candidate Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) - just within the poll's 2.1% margin of error.

That's not cause for despair for Merkt, who does not plan to give up.  He does not see his quest as quixotic, nor is he merely trying a statement.

"This is New Jersey, and weird stuff happens in New Jersey, and weird stuff happens in New Jersey very late," said Merkt.  "Remember Torricelli?  Candidates implode at times or explode, and it is not impossible that there could be a surprise in store for us in this election."

Both the Democratic and Republican primaries this year include candidates who can claim the legitimacy of being former or current elected officials, but whose campaigns have not gained any traction in polls.  The Republicans have Merkt, and had Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine until he was kicked off the ballot for insufficient signatures.  Democrats have former Glen Ridge Mayor Carl Bergmanson, who has the added challenge of running against a wealthy incumbent governor, Jon Corzine.

"I've invested eight months of time and effort in this, and I've managed to get on the ballot, and I hope to get into the debates," said Merkt, who is talking to NJN Interim News Director Michael Aron about the prospect of setting up a televised debate that he, too, can participate in.  "There's no reason for me that I can see to pull out at this point."

Still, apart from a nightmare scenario for GOP frontrunner Christopher Christie, the former U.S. Attorney, or his closer rival, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, Merkt feels that his candidacy has made a difference in the campaign.  The other candidates, he said, now talk about his pet issue: the make-up of the State Supreme Court.

In Merkt's view, one can't affect change in the state without altering the makeup Supreme Court first.  Four out of the seven justices will come up for reappointment during the next gubernatorial term, while one is set to reach the mandatory age of retirement.  The governor is required to keep a partisan balance on the court, although Merkt could try to find Democrats who share his political philosophy.

"In one regard, I view this campaign as a huge success because this issue has finally come to the fore," said Merkt.

Merkt also said he wants to make sure his party does not make the mistake of nominating a candidate without any state experience (he is the only one with any).

As for the other two Republican candidates, Merkt preferred not to make an explicit endorsement, especially since he believes he still has a chance.  But he did make his preference clear.

"I favor experience... And certainly Mayor Lonegan brings substantial experience as a Mayor [of Bogota], and he would bring that perspective to the position.  Chris Christie would bring, what, three years as a freeholder and his experience as a prosecutor? I'm not sure how relevant that is to the governor's office," he said.

Bergmanson, a fiscally conservative Democrat who spearheaded last year's petition drive to recall Gov. Corzine, also barely registers in polls with about 2% support.  He gives himself about a 2% shot at beating Corzine out of the Democratic nomination.

"It's very liberating to be a tremendous long shot because you can do things without having to compromise," he said.

For instance, Bergmanson can stick with campaign platforms that he might be tempted to abandon if he had a more realistic shot at unseating the governor, like lowering the state drinking age to 18.

Nor does he have to bother with the annoyances of fundraising, or the demands that come from major donors.  Bergmanson, who feels that money is "poisoning our political system," has taken in "a couple grand" so far -- all in donations under $300 from individuals -- and doesn't have to compromise his principles by taking money from PACs, unions or any other organizations.

Bergmanson said that he's happy with the way his campaign is going, though he's annoyed at being dismissed as an insubstantial candidate by news organizations, which often don't mention his name.

"Sometimes if you say something it's a self-fulfilling prophesy," he said. "They are, more than anyone, responsible for the fact that their readers don't know that there's a competitive primary going on."

Like the Republican primary candidates, Bergmanson blames Corzine - not the national economy - for New Jersey's fiscal woes, and said that his candidacy is based on a sense of civic duty to unseat the Governor.  Another four years, he said, would be too much for the state to bear.

"It is my sworn duty as a citizen of the state and someone who loves New Jersey to do everything I can to make sure Jon Corzine is not the governor next year," he said.