Rick Merkt

Christopher Christie had substantially more money going into the final eleven days of the Republican gubernatorial primary than either of his rivals, according to reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).  Christie had $2,347,552 cash on hand, compared to $304,029 for Steven Lonegan and $692 for Rick Merkt.   But the numbers are less significant than in past elections because ELEC, closed for the state employee furlough last Friday, didn't receive the reports until Tuesday and did not release them until today.

Steve Lonegan said that Chris Christie’s 23-point lead over him in a recent Quinnipiac poll has “already begun disintegrating” during this afternoon’s Republican gubernatorial debate.

“We have the momentum… my flat tax is now the centerpiece of this campaign, as it should be,” said Lonegan.

The three Republican candidates for Governor will debate on New Jersey 101.5 at 7PM next Tuesday.   This will be the first time Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) joins former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan in a formal debate.  101.5's Eric Scott will moderate.    Questions can be asked by calling 800-283-1015.

Rick Merkt may be running a distant third in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, but Chris Venis, his campaign manager and chief strategist has already had a win this year: Venis' race horse, Miss Blakely -- named for the late Thomas Blakely, a highly regarded Republican political consultant who passed away last year at the age of 46 -- won the Boynton each Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Florida. She is on schedule to run in the $500,000.000 Woodbine Canadian Oaks, first race in the Canadian filly Triple Crown.

The three Republican candidates for Governor will debate on New Jersey 101.5 at 7PM next Tuesday.   This will be the first time Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) joins former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan in a formal debate.  101.5's Eric Scott will moderate.    Questions can be asked by calling 800-283-1015.

With just 2% of the vote in independent polls released this morning by Quinnipiac University and Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey,  history could record Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) as one of the lowest votegetters among sitting state legislators seeking a major party nomination for Governor.  The record is currently held by Raymond Garramone (D-Haworth), a one-term State Senator from Bergen County who gave up his seat to challenge Brendan Byrne in the 1977 Democratic primary.  With 6,602 votes statewide, Garramone finished sixth in a field of eleven candidates, with 1.1% of the vote.

Merkt has had no movement in the race for the GOP nomination for Governor.  He was at 2% in a February 4 Quinnipiac poll

Getty Images Photo

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie leads Steve Lonegan, the former Mayor of Bogota, by 23 points

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has opened a 23-point lead, 56%-33%, over Lonegan in his bid to be the Republican gubernatorial nominee, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.  Last month, Christie led Lonegan, the former Bogota Mayor, by nine points. A Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey has Christie also released this morning has Christie leading Lonegan by 18 points.  Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) is polling at 2% in both polls.

"Chris Christie has solidified his Republican support and is well over the 50 percent needed for victory, while Steve Lonegan has not picked up any significant strength in the past month," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.  "No one knows who will turn out in a New Jersey Republican primary so anything can happen, but all signs point to a Christie victory.  Most of Lonegan's strength comes from conservative GOP voters, with Christie scoring heavily among those who say they are moderate and liberal Republicans."

In a general election matchup, Christie leads Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine by seven points, 45%-38% -- the same as it was in an April 22 poll.  Lonegan leads Corzine 42%-40%, a statistical dead heat.

ALSO: CHRISTIE LEADS LONEGAN BY 18 POINTS IN MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY/GANNETT NEW JERSEY POLL

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, above, trails former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie by 18 points in the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie holds an 18 point lead, 50%-32%, over former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, according to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll released this morning.  Assemblyman Rick Merkt (R-Mendham) is polling at 2%, with 16% still undecided.

Christie leads Lonegan 59%-25% among voters over age 60.  He has a 63%-26% lead in Central Jersey, a 49%-33% lead in North Jersey, a 45%-33% lead in South Jersey, and a 44%-35% lead in Northwestern New Jersey.  Christie has a 21 point lead in Morris County, and Lonegan leads by 10 points in Bergen County.

Lonegan leads 51%-36% among Republicans who describe themselves as "staunch conservatives," while Christie is ahead 58%-18% among moderates.   Lonegan is just slightly more likely than Christie to be seen as a "pro-life" candidate (42% to 33%).

"Chris Christie has solidified his front-runner status in this primary by increasing his appeal to the party's core conservative base.  He may not win this group outright, but he has made enough inroads to leave Steve Lonegan with little room to maneuver before June 2," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.  "Winning in November trumps any specific issue positions for Republican primary voters.  For example, Mayor Lonegan's flat tax proposal has a good deal of support within the GOP electorate, but it doesn't seem to be enough to propel him to victory," said Murray.

Former Republican Congressman Jim Saxton endorsed ex-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie for governor today.

Saxton, who left the House in January after serving 24 years, said that Christie “will get our state's economy back on track and his proven leadership will provide the platform for improvements in all areas of our state.”  

"As someone who has fought to keep jobs in New Jersey, I know Chris's business-friendly plan will reduce taxes for small businesses, break down overbearing regulation, and create an environment where job creation is a reality,” he said.

Christie has the endorsement of all but one sitting Republican Congressmen.  U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) has remained neutral.