He’s not yet in officially, but he’s moving forward. 

Franklin Mayor Brian D. Levine, a moderate Republican interested in pursuing a run for governor, this week inched closer to his goal.

“Yesterday, I filed a form with New Jersey ELEC to set up a campaign name and register and start to put an organization,” said Levine. “Monday I’m slated to give my first economic talk.”

A CPA by trade and grassroots candidate who won election and re-election in Democratically-controlled Franklin, Levine says he’s used to going door-to-door and generating old fashioned face to face political support.

Raising money is another issue, however, and he says it’s the only issue at this point that could pose an obstacle to his getting in the race for governor. 

“I’m still rolling forward and I’m feeling it out now,” said Levine. “I must consider the practical issue of money and as I go forward I hope to interest people in my cause.”

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan and Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) are for now the only two declared Republican challengers to Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, who's up for re-election next year.