On a week in which U.S. Attorney Chris Christie resigned from office and former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan officially announced his decision to run for governor, yet another Republican statewide prospect burnished some modest local support.
Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) said his campaign for governor has so far picked up the endorsements of more than 50 elected officials in his home county of Morris. “We have only just begun making telephone calls to elected leaders in Morris County, but already the response has been heartening,” said Merkt, a six-term state legislator. “The gratifying part is that most of the support comes unasked from local elected officials – people with whom I have worked closely over the past dozen years and who know me better than anyone.”
He listed three in a press release, includingcouncilman and former mayor Gary Algeier of Randolph Township, Councilman Brooke Hardy of Jefferson Township, and Mayor Ron Francioli of Hanover Township.“Our campaign expects to announce more endorsements in the days ahead,” said Merkt, “but we just wanted to keep everyone posted on this very encouraging news.”
