TRENTON - Assemblyman Richard Merkt was the first to kick off the gubernatorial election year, sending out an early-morning challenge to all Republican gubernatorial candidates to join him in a series of 12 public debates over the next five months.
Merkt proposed that the first debate take place in Morris County later this month, with subsequent debates scheduled roughly every week and a half until the June 2 primary election. Merkt wants the debates held statewide.
Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Morris)
“It is vital that voters get to see all of the candidates in action to help them decide who is the strongest nominee for Governor,” said explained Merkt (R-Morris) “Public debates are a great way to flesh out the candidates’ views on key issues, as well as let voters judge for themselves each candidate’s experience and qualifications to hold the most powerful elected office in New Jersey.”
Merkt suggested that each debate have a different theme, focusing on one of the major challenges facing New Jersey, and that the debates be spread out among northern, central, and southern New Jersey locations, so that voters throughout the state have an opportunity to see and question the candidates for Governor.
“Our first debate should focus on New Jersey’s faltering economy and job losses,” proposed Merkt, “which most people see as the most pressing threats to the state’s future. Another should deal with school funding and high property taxes, while still another could explore the state’s growing fiscal crisis. There is certainly no shortage of major issues to be debated by the candidates.”
Merkt stressed that the choice of a nominee for Governor belongs to the people in a democracy, not just a small clique of political bosses and insiders. He urged that voters get involved, attend the debates, and insist that their voices be heard in choosing the next Governor.
“I look forward to the opportunity to meet with voters and answer their questions about how we rebuild New Jersey’s future together,” Merkt said. “Anyone who aspires to be Governor of New Jersey should welcome public scrutiny and questioning about his experience, familiarity with state issues, and specific ideas how to solve the most difficult problems facing our state.”
REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY 
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