NJ Gov, in Campaign Mode, Rides Rails to D.C.

Breaking with tradition, Gov. Jon S. Corzine will be the only gubernatorial candidate on the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's train trip to Washington Thursday.

The annual rail trek has long been viewed as the unofficial start to the political campaign season and Corzine is seeking re-election in November.

But Republican gubernatorial candidates Chris Christie, Steve Lonegan and Rick Merkt and Brian Levine are skipping it.

Christie doesn't want to upstage next week's official announcement of his gubernatorial bid. Lonegan says the trip represents the "good old boys atmosphere" he'd snub as governor.

Merkt calls the schmoozing among lobbyists and politicians an "ethical disgrace."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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