(WEST ORANGE, OCTOBER 9) - Schundler for Governor campaign manager Bill Pascoe issued the following statement on Bret Schundler’s continued ability to gain the strong support and confidence of New Jersey’s most respected leaders:

“Today, I am pleased to announce that Governor Kean and Governor Whitman have jointly signed a letter of support for Bret Schundler’s campaign for governor, which we will immediately send out to every registered Republican in New Jersey.

“This personal letter from the last two Republicans elected to the Governorship - each of whom was elected twice -- makes very clear their belief that in uncertain economic times, New Jersey needs strong leadership. New Jersey doesn’t need a tax-hiking, special-interest-catering-to, machine-boss-answering career politician like Jim McGreevey. It needs a strong, proven leader who can say ‘NO’ to the special interests in Trenton -- a leader who has the courage to hold the line on state spending, cut property taxes and income taxes for New Jersey families, fix our schools without just throwing more money at them, and most importantly, get New Jersey’s economy back on track.

“Governor Kean and Governor Whitman know first-hand what happens when Democrats take control of state government -- property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes rise, new regulations strangle business growth, unemployment lines increase, and government spending grows out-of control.

“They know that the LAST time New Jersey faced a recession with a Democrat in the Governor’s office, Jim McGreevey failed to stand up to the Party bosses, and instead joined Governor Florio to cast the crucial deciding vote for the largest tax increase in New Jersey history -- a tax increase that destroyed 170,000 jobs and caused New Jersey ‘s unemployment rate to soar. In fact, Jim McGreevey cast the deciding vote in favor of Florio’s call for higher income taxes, higher sales taxes, higher gas taxes, higher phone taxes, and yes, he even voted to put a tax on toilet paper.

“As New Jersey’s economy teeters on the brink of recession, Governors Kean and Whitman know that we must cut taxes to keep our economy strong and to keep New Jersey families working. That’s why they are united in their call to elect Bret Schundler the next governor of New Jersey. “

Pertinent sections of Governor Kean and Governor Whitman’s joint letter of support read as follows:

“We are writing you today, to urge you to join us in a unified effort to maintain Republican control of both houses of the Legislature and to elect a Republican governor … we are going to do all that we can to elect Bret Schundler as New Jersey’s next Governor … If ever there was a time in our State’s history that cries out for strong leadership, that time is upon us.”