Franklin mayor considers bid for governor
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com Reporter
Franklin Township Mayor Brian D. Levine today confirmed that he is mulling a run for governor.
“I have been contemplating such a thing,” he told PolitickerNJ.com. “Of course, you need money and organization, but I’ve had some successes here in Franklin and my background is in finance. I think that’s what we’re needing now.”
Currently serving his second term in this Somerset County town of 60,000 residents, Levine became mayor in a 2003 upset election. A Republican in a town where registered Democrats have the numbers, he put an exclamation point on his local victory when he won re-election in 2007.
“Money and fundraising are considerations, but no one should be turned away by the money factor,” said the CPA mayor who ran his first race for mayor with $30,000 against $150,000.
“If I were going to do it, I’d have to make a quick decision,” he added of a gubernatorial run.
Most likely before the New Year.
Already running to secure the Republican nomination next year for governor are Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) and former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan. U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and biotech millionaire John Crowley are also considering a gubernatorial bid.
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