Steve Lonegan

Hadden Twp, NJ – Conservative Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Lonegan held a press conference today to discuss the unconstitutionality of eminent domain. Lonegan stood at a privately owned insurance company surrounded by abandoned lots as he blasted Trenton bureaucrats for having too much control over private property rights.

Former Glen Ridge Mayor Carl Bergmanson, left, and Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham)

EAST BRUNSWICK - Abbott, COAH, global warming response, stem cell research, the Transportation Trust Fund, it doesn't matter. If it comes from Trenton, drive a stake through it. That was the message coming out of a gubernatorial forum here sponsored by Americans for Prosperity.

Chris Christie arrives at Bachstadt's

MIDDLETOWN - A familiar black bus pulled onto the street next to Bachstadt's Tavern and when Chris Christie and his family entered, the gravitas soundtrack kicked in with the bass lines heavy and a real bagpiper marching and trying to make himself heard and the accompanying cheers sustained and suggestive of imminent establishment victory.

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan

The Lonegan campaign cut and issued a radio ad and amplified its outrage today in the aftermath of an Associated Press story highlighting Christie campaign confidante John Inglesino’s collection of a pension in connection with part time work as a state senate legal consultant.

“The fact that one of Christie’s closest associates is double dipping from the same part time pension funds that Christie promises to end is not only alarming but also insulting to the taxpayers of New Jersey,” Lonegan said in a statement.  “If he can’t prevent this type of disingenuous behavior within his own campaign, he cannot expect the voters of New Jersey to believe that he will follow through with his promise to end it in the state. 

“Considering his questionable record regarding ethics, sadly this news isn’t very surprising,” added the former mayor of Bogota.  “As governor, I will end the pension program for part times state employees and I can assure you that my closest friends and advisors will not be exempt. Christie failing to denounce the actions of Inglesino, and choosing once again to avoid questions proves that Christie will be another Trenton empty-suit.”

Carl Bergmanson

Dragging the twin perils of no name ID and no money into Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary, anti-establishment Democrat Carl Bergmanson nonetheless says he believes he’ll put a dent in Gov. Jon Corzine.

He won’t concede defeat four days before Tuesday.

“Never,” the former mayor of Glen Ridge told PolitickerNJ.com in a phone conversation this afternoon. “Anybody who’s ever played chess with me knows I wouldn’t do that.”

But the fact that Bergmanson was laid off at his job as a computer engineer at right around the time he tried to launch his gubernatorial campaign deprived him of what he now says would have been the seed money necessary to get traction in his unlikely effort to take down Corzine.

Phyllis Schalfy

Team Lonegan countered the debonair presence of Mitt Romney standing in the rival camp of Chris Christie earlier today by rolling out the endorsement of conservative Constitutionalist Phyllis Schlafy, founder of the Eagle Forum.

"Steve Lonegan is the only candidate for Governor of New Jersey who is going to cut taxes, save traditional marriage, and protect the sanctity of life," she said. "Eagle Forum PAC enthusiastically endorses his Republican candidacy for Governor.

"The recent court victory for traditional marriage in California demonstrates that traditional marriage can be saved even in the most liberal states,” Schlafy added. “But we have to support principled candidates like Steve Lonegan to protect our most sacred institution: marriage. Lonegan is the only true pro-life candidate in the race and he will not back down from his principles."

LAVALLETTE, NJ – Mayor Steve Lonegan, the conservative Republican candidate for Governor, received the endorsement from Lavallette Mayor Walter LaCicero, Jr.  At a press conference today, Mayor LaCicero said he was proud to endorse Mayor Steve Lonegan, adding that he is the only hope for New Jersey.      

"Steve Lonegan is the only candidate for Governor of New Jersey who is going to cut taxes, save traditional marriage, and protect the sanctity of life," Phyllis Schlafly observed. "Eagle Forum PAC enthusiastically endorses his Republican candidacy for Governor."

Oradell, NJ – Mayor Steve Lonegan, the conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate, called Mitt Romney’s endorsement of Chris Christie not surprising.

Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham)

After jogging throughout New Jersey’s 566 municipalities with little press coverage, Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) appeared to get an 11th hour boost from his participation in two GOP gubernatorial debates this week, cornering some of the 101.5 listening audience’s praise on Jim Gearhart’s Thursday morning talk radio program.

Republican frontrunner Chris Christie and Merkt sparred on several occasions during the course of Wednesday’s WOR radio debate, significantly on the subject of how each man would implement change.

Christie likened himself to Ronald Reagan, and argued that his election as governor would create a popular groundswell forcing state Sen. President Richard Codey (D-Roseland), whom he described as New Jersey’s Tip O’Neill, to the negotiating table.