Richard Merkt

Richard Merkt
New Jersey General Assembly District 25
Former member
Assumed office 1998
Current term ends January 10, 2010
Political party	Republican
Profession	Corporate Counsel, Transistor Devices, Inc.
Website	Richard Merkt

Richard Merkt was a Republican member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 25th District from 1998-2010. In spring 2009 he unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Governor, rather than seeking re-election to the Assembly.

Merkt currently serves as Vice President/General Counsel for Transistor Devices, Inc, as well as a private attorney. He has previously worked as a legislative aide for the Assembly from 1976-1982, 1986-1996, as well as a Special Assistant for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs,

Assemblyman Merkt speaks at the Monroe Twp Republican Club

Issue positions

Merkt's answers to the New Jersey State Legislative Election 2007 National Political Awareness Test are available. When asked his top priorities, he responded:

My first piority remains a fair share of State resources for Morris County. We pay Trenton more that $1 billion in income tax, yet get back under $160 million in school aid, shortchanging Morris schoolchildren and homeowners and driving up local property taxes. My other priority is to restore State finances back to a sound footing through reduced state taxes, debt and spending. New Jersey is lurching toward bankruptcy, and we must change course now.

Committee assignments

• Appropriations Committee, New Jersey General Assembly
• Higher Education Committee, New Jersey General Assembly
• Intergovernmental Relations Commission

Sponsored legislation

• A149 Establishes limits on contributions county and municipal committees of a political party can give per election or per year to candidates and certain political committees.
• A152 Prohibits legislators from representing local government entities, or persons before local government entities.
• A162 Prohibits legislators from certain lobbying activities for two years after leaving office; provides additional civil penalties for violations.
• A648 Includes same sex marriages among marriages declared void; provides that New Jersey will not recognize marriages in other jurisdictions which are void in New Jersey.

Campaign donors

The top 5 donors to Merkt's 2007 campaign were all professional organizations:

• 1. NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers/CAR PAC $3,000
• 2. NJ Assoc of Realtors $2,500
• 3. NJ Dental Assoc $2,100
• 4. New Jersey Education Association $2,000
• 5. NJ Business & Industry Assoc $1,500

External links

• Merkt for Governor 2009 campaign site
• NJ Assembly - Hon. Richard Merkt
• Project Vote Smart profile
• Assemblyman Merkt Facebook profile
• Campaign Contributions: 2009, 2007, 2003, 1999, 1997

References

Political offices
Preceded by NA	New Jersey Assembly District 25 1998-2010	Succeeded by Anthony Bucco, Jr.