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'''Steven M. Lonegan''' (born April 27, 1956) is a former candidate for the [[Republican]] nomination for [[Governor]] of [[New Jersey]] in 2009 and former [[Mayor]] of Bogota, New Jersey from 1995-2007.  

'''Steven M. Lonegan''' (born April 27, 1956) is a [[movement conservative]] who nearly defeated [[Chris Christie]] in the primary for the former candidate for the [[Republican]] nomination for [[Governor]] of [[New Jersey]] in 2009, despite being vastly outspent by Christie's campaign.  Despite being Republican, Lonegan was the highly popular [[Mayor]] of the Democratic town of Bogota, New Jersey from 1995-2007.

Lonegan has sought political office before, such as unsuccessfully running for state Senate, [[Congress]], county executive and Governor.

Lonegan has sought political office before, such as unsuccessfully running for state Senate, [[Congress]], county executive and Governor.

==Support and Opposition==

==Support and Opposition==

Lonegan is known as a staunch [[conservative]], and built his gubernatorial campaign on instituting a flat income tax. He was been endorsed by former presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] <ref>http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090514006279&newsLang=en</ref> and "Joe the Plumber." <ref>http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/05/joe_the_plumber_endorses_steve.php</ref>

Lonegan is strongly [[conservative]], and built his gubernatorial campaign on instituting a flat income tax. He was been endorsed by former presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] <ref>http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090514006279&newsLang=en</ref> and "Joe the Plumber." <ref>http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/05/joe_the_plumber_endorses_steve.php</ref>

However, conservative economist [[Steve Forbes]], a strong proponent of the flat tax, has criticized Lonegan's plan, saying "I don't think that the key thing right now for New Jersey is to get a flat tax...the key is to get the tax rates down and then we can have a substantial reform of the tax system." <ref>http://www.christiefornj.com/newsroom/2009/05/07/what-conservatives-are-saying-about-steve-lonegans-tax-hike/</ref>

However, conservative economist [[Steve Forbes]], a strong proponent of the flat tax, has criticized Lonegan's plan, saying "I don't think that the key thing right now for New Jersey is to get a flat tax...the key is to get the tax rates down and then we can have a substantial reform of the tax system." <ref>http://www.christiefornj.com/newsroom/2009/05/07/what-conservatives-are-saying-about-steve-lonegans-tax-hike/</ref>