MERKT STEPS UP CALL FOR DEBATES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2009

Richard Merkt/908-850-1595 (ext. 1520)
908-507-5033 (cell)
Chris Venis/ 908-507-6589 (cell)

MERKT STEPS UP CALL FOR DEBATES
AMONG GOP CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

WITH ONLY THREE REPUBLICAN HOPEFULS LEFT, TIME TO LAY OUT STANDS ON KEY PUBLIC ISSUES

URGES MEDIA TO HOST WEEKLY DEBATES

Assemblyman Richard Merkt, Republican for Governor, this morning called upon both of his remaining rivals to join him for six public debates over the weeks remaining until the June 2 primary election. The 12-year Morris County legislator noted that New Jersey faces an unprecedented economic and fiscal emergency and stressed that the two debates currently mandated by law are inadequate to let the candidates for Governor lay out detailed plans on how they will solve the crisis.

“New Jersey is in deep trouble financial right now,” explained Merkt (R. – Morris), “and those who are asking voters to entrust us with the state’s economic future owe them detailed answers on exactly how each of us will fix the problem.”

Merkt -- the only GOP candidate with state experience -- declared that he will accept debates “any time, anywhere, and with any format” to flesh out hopefuls’ views on key issues and let voters judge the candidates’ background, knowledge of issues, and fitness to serve in the most powerful elected office in New Jersey.

“This is no time for a ‘beauty contest’ primary in which a candidate’s wealth or celebrity decides the nomination,” warned Merkt. “The stakes are way too high for New Jersey to put up with an inexperienced Governor for the next four years. The present crisis calls for a proven leader, ready from Day One to attack the state’s problems, so we don’t all suffer through another term of ‘Amateur Hour’ in the Governor’s Office.”

Merkt suggested that the media have a moral responsibility and opportunity to serve the public interest by hosting gubernatorial debates each week until the primary election, so voters have a chance to see and question the candidates for Governor about how they will solve the dire problems facing New Jersey.

“Now that the list of Republican hopefuls for Governor has been pared to three, we have a manageable number of candidates for any public debate,” commented Merkt. “I would urge members of the media to fulfill their responsibility to the public by inviting all of the candidates to participate in a series of weekly debates, each one hosted by a different media organization. I can assure you that this candidate for Governor, at least, will answer the bell.”

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RICK MERKT FOR ... can be reached via email at chris@merktforgovernor.com.

Related topics: Rick Merkt, debates, Governor