North Jersey Gubernatorial Candidate Speaks Out Against 'Backroom Deal' Legislation

A North Jersey resident who announced last week he is running for governor will be at the New Jersey Statehouse Monday to discuss his opposition to legislation that would allow the governor to profit from a book deal and potentially deliver a crippling blow to newspapers.

The one piece of legislation would allow municipalities to forgo publishing legal notices in newspapers and allow them to post them exclusively online. Committees in both the Senate and Assembly voted to advance the measure Thursday.

Bill Brennan announced is candidacy for governor Dec. 5. He filed criminal ethics complaint against Governor Chris Christie regarding the "Bridgegate" lane-closure case. The court gave permission for the suit to proceed, finding probable in Brennan's claim that Christie is potentially liable for the millions of dollars the case cost taxpayers.

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"Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Prieto are openly and notoriously extorting cash from our treasury in exchange for carrying out more of Christie's state sponsored retaliation," Brennan, a Wayne resident, said in a statement issued early Monday morning. "We have reached a point where politicians no longer hide extortion and bribery. If you are fed up it is time for you to step up and join our political revolution."

Brennan said he would be at the Statehouse in Trenton from noon until the legislative session ends.

Brennan also launched a website for his campaign recently.

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Bill Brennan at a press conference announcing his candidacy for governor of New Jersey Monday morning. — Staff Photo by Daniel Hubbard