Politics & Government

Special Election a 'Waste of Money,' Mendham Twp. Mayor Says

Governor makes small talk with residents during brief appearance in Mendham Township Wednesday morning.

Gov. Chris Christie punched a ballot swiftly Wednesday morning in his hometown voting district in the special election for an open U.S. Senate seat.

The Mendham resident made it known he was supporting Republican candidate and former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan over Newark Mayor and Democrat Cory Booker to fill the vacated seat of Frank Lautenberg.

Christie reiterated the decision to vote Republican again Tuesday night in his gubernatorial debate with Democratic challenger Barbara Buono.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite disagreeing with the Governor's decision to hold a special election for the open U. S. Senate seat, Mendham Township Mayor Rick Merkt was pleased with his community's turnout at the polls.

"I'm proud of the great voter turnout in Mendham Township," Merkt said after casting his vote Wednesday morning. "But there is no legitimate reason the state should shoulder more than $20 million to hold two elections within 30 days."

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Since becoming mayor at the start of 2013, Merkt has not spoken with his most famous constituent on any issue.

"If there's one thing I can't stand, it's the pure, unadulterated waste of money. And this is a perfect example of that," Merkt said.

The governor arrived just after 10 a.m. at the Brookside Emergency Services Building – missing Merkt by about 90 minutes – and wished a good morning to residents and media members standing outside the building. Once he approached his District 4 table, words were minimal and he spent just a few seconds inside the booth.

Christie stood and posed for a photo with a fellow Mendham Township resident and voter, then made small talk on his way out with a poll worker and another resident. See the video here. 

After voting, Christie did not take questions from reporters.

He walked swiftly back to his SUV and took off. It was the governor’s second event of the morning after attending the Bayer ribbon-cutting of the company’s new East Coast headquarters in Hanover. 


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