FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2009 Richard Merkt/908-850-1595 (ext. 1520)        908-507-5033 (cell) Chris Venis/     908-507-6589 (cell)                                                                      MERKT’S ‘RUNNING’ CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR NOW AT 400+ TOWNS   WORKING HARD FOR GOP NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR Assemblyman Richard Merkt “running” campaign for Governor has now reached into more than 400 municipalities across New Jersey, the candidate announced this morning.  Since September, Merkt has run in every municipality in 11 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.  He intends to run in every one of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities before this spring’s primary election for Governor.   “Ridgewood in Bergen County was town number 400,” noted Merkt, adding, “So far, we have spent more than 30 separate days running in literally hundreds of communities throughout New Jersey.  Our objective remains to learn what local residents think about vital state issues, as well as what the next administration needs to change in Trenton.”   Merkt stressed the importance of his “running” campaign in terms of gaining a better understanding of New Jersey and its people. “Having lived in four counties and worked in two others, I thought I had a pretty good grasp of my home state,” stated Merkt, “but the last few months have shown me that New Jersey is even more complex than most of us know.  This is the prime reason that Trenton's usual ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to problems so often fails.” Merkt reported that lack of trust and confidence in state government continues to be a common theme expressed by residents in communities throughout the state. “Wherever I run, I hear from local folks that they don’t trust Trenton or buy into the phony promises coming out of the state capital,” remarked Merkt. “They’re worried about the economy and their jobs; they’re sick of high property taxes; and they know that New Jersey is headed for serious economic trouble.  They clearly want a new direction for the state and a new captain on the bridge.”  As always, Merkt invited anyone to join him as he heads for the finish line in “running” campaign. “We still have more than 100 towns to go,” observed Merkt, “and I welcome company for the final lap of what has become a remarkable odyssey throughout the Garden State.”     ####