Bill Brennan filed an official misconduct complaint against Gov. Chris Christie.
WAYNE -- Bill Brennan, an activist and former firefighter, on Monday asked a judge to reconsider appointing a special prosecutor in an official misconduct case against Gov. Chris Christie.
The Wayne resident, also announced he would seek the Democratic party nomination for governor in 2017.
Brennan said he's spent years fighting fraud, waste and corruption in New Jersey, but has been opposed by elected officials.
"So if I'm truly going to clean up the government of New Jersey, I'm going to have to do it from the top down as well as from the bottom up," he said.
Brennan, a former Teaneck firefighter, has filed several lawsuits against Bergen County officials over the years. In October, he made a citizen's official misconduct complaint against Christie alleging that the governor knew about the Bridgegate scheme to cause gridlock in Fort Lee.
Ramsey shoots down planned Wawa
He argued in court Friday that a special prosecutor should handle the complaint rather than the Attorney General and Bergen County Prosecutor because they are Christie appointees.
Both Attorney General Christopher Porrino and Bergen Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal have recused themselves, leaving the case to subordinates.
Judge Bonnie Mizdol denied Brennan's request, saying Brennan "lacked standing."
"A private complainant may not act as a prosecuting attorney," she said in her ruling.
Brennan's motion for reconsideration argues that Mizdol did not actually address the conflict of interest the prosecutors for the Attorney General and Bergen County Prosecutor have in the case.
"We're counting on the courage and integrity of people whose jobs are entirely dependent on the good will of Chris Christie to do their jobs," Brennan said. "You don't put people in that position."
Brennan hopes Mizdol will reconsider an appoint a special prosecutor before oral argument starts at a hearing on Jan. 11. If not, he plans to take his case to the appellate division and possibly the state Supreme Court.
His gubernatorial announcement Monday was only a first step, he said. Brennan's campaign has no treasurer or bank account and he has not collected any signatures.
Brennan, who described himself as "more of a Bernie Sanders Democrat than an establishment Democrat," said he would be ready in time for the 2017 primary election. He'll face Phil Murhpy, a former banking executive and the favorite to secure the nomination, and Assemblyman John Wisniewski, who spearheaded the Bridgegate investigation.
"I'm not going to have a problem," Brennan said. "People are ready for this."
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.