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Jon Bramnick
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 21st district
Assumed office
January 11, 2022
Preceded by Thomas Kean Jr.
Minority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
January 10, 2012 – January 11, 2022
Preceded by Alex DeCroce
Succeeded by John DiMaio
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 21st district
In office
February 24, 2003 – January 11, 2022
Serving with Nancy Munoz
Preceded by Thomas Kean Jr.
Succeeded by Michele Matsikoudis
Personal details
Born (1953-02-24) February 24, 1953 (age 71)
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse
Patricia Brentano
​
( m. 1981)​
Children2
Residence Westfield, New Jersey
Education Syracuse University ( BA)
Hofstra University ( JD)
Website Official website
Legislative website

Jon M. Bramnick (born February 24, 1953) is an American Republican Party politician and comedian, who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2022, representing the 21st legislative district. He previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 21st Legislative District from 2003 to 2022, where he was the Assembly Republican Leader from January 2012 to January 2022. [1] He was appointed to the Assembly in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of the vacancy created upon the selection of Thomas Kean Jr. to fill an unexpired New Jersey Senate term. [2] He was elected to a full two-year term later that year and was re-elected in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. He was elected to the New Jersey Senate in 2021 and was re-elected in 2023. [3] In January 2024, Bramnick announced he was running for Governor of New Jersey in 2025. [4] [5]

Early life

Bramnick was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. His parents ran Lazaar's Stationers, a business in Plainfield. He graduated from Plainfield High School, received a B.A. in Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and was awarded a J.D. from the Hofstra University School of Law. [6] [7]

Before becoming an Assemblyman, Bramnick served two terms on the Plainfield City Council from 1984 to 1991 for the second ward. [6] [8] [9] In 1998, Bramnick ran for the Westfield City Council for the first ward. [10] He won the primary, [11] however he lost the general election. [12] He is the Republican Municipal Chairman in Westfield, where he resides with his family. Bramnick is a former professor at both Rutgers University and Rider University. Following his graduation from law school, he served as an assistant corporation counsel in New York City. He is an attorney with a private practice in Scotch Plains, New Jersey with the firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan. [13] [14] [15]

New Jersey Assembly

Following the appointment of Tom Kean, Jr. to the State Senate, a vacancy opened up in the 21st District's Assembly delegation. Bramnick won the most ballots of a vote by members of the Essex, Morris, Somerset, and Union county Republican committee persons of the district beating former Assemblyman James J. Barry, Jr., Millburn mayor Thomas McDermott, and Warren Township Planning Board chairman Dan Gallic. [16] In December 2005 he was appointed Assistant Minority Whip of the Assembly for the 2006–2008 term. In June 2007, Bramnick was selected as the Minority Whip, succeeding Francis J. Blee. [17] In November 2009, he was elected as the Republican Conference Leader, the second-highest leadership position in the Republican caucus. In the Assembly, he has served as Vice Chair of the Legislative Services Commission. [6] After the death of Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce in January 2012, the Assembly Republican caucus chose Bramnick as its new leader. [18] Bramnick has been honored with the 2013 Governor Meyner Award from the Bar Association and the 2011 Legislator of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce. He was named 2013 Legislator of the Year by the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and was honored at Rider University for his dedication to New Jersey politics and public service. [13] On January 3, 2017, Bramnick announced that he would not run for New Jersey governor in 2017, as he was seen as a potential frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Committee assignments

Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are: [6]

  • Commerce
  • Judiciary

District 21

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. [19] The representatives from the 21st District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are: [20]

Political positions

Bramnick is widely described as a moderate Republican. [21] [22] [23] [24]

Abortion

Bramnick supports abortion rights, [25] [26] and described himself as being in favor of Roe v Wade. In 2022, he abstained on a vote to codify abortion into New Jersey state law, saying that the bill "went too far." [27] In 2024, he described himself as "a pro-choice Republican." [28]

Donald Trump

Bramnick has been critical of former president Donald Trump, [29] [30] with a NorthJersey.com article describing him as a " Never Trumper". [21] He has criticised Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election, saying "I think it is dangerous to democracy that anytime a president who says, 'I won,' and then says there is illegality and fraud, and then does not produce it". [21] In 2022, Bramnick said that Trump's presidency "caused a problem for the Republican brand", adding that "ever since January 6, people are concerned whether or not they can trust the Republicans." [24]

Drugs

Bramnick is an opponent of the legalization of recreational marijuana, saying he "doesn't deny" using marijuana while in college but is "not a fan" of its legalization. [31] [32] [33]

Guns

Bramnick received an "A+" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund in 2015 and 2017, [34] though this declined to a "C" grade for 2019, 2021 and 2023. [35] [36] During the 2019 electoral campaign, Bramnick was accused by his opponents of being an opponent of gun control. Bramnick rejected these claims, saying he had voted for universal background checks and limiting handgun purchases, and that he supported a federal ban on assault weapons. [37]

LGBT rights

In 2013, Governor Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have legalized gay marriage in New Jersey. Bramnick opposed gay marriage [38] and expressed his agreement with the governor. [39] Bramnick described marriage equality as not being a civil rights issue, rather "something for the voters". [40] When Christie decided not to appeal New Jersey's Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Bramnick said it was "a smart thing" to not appeal. [41] In 2021, Bramnick abstained on the bill that codified marriage equality into law in New Jersey. [42]

Personal life

Bramnick holds the honorary title of "Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey" after winning contests sponsored by the bar association at Rascals Comedy Club. He often volunteers his services as a comedic auctioneer on behalf of non-profit organizations including Hurricane Sandy victims. [7] [43] Bramnick resides in Westfield, New Jersey with his wife Patricia (married in 1981), and has two grown children and a granddaughter. [7] [44] He is Jewish. [45]

On March 11, 2019, Bramnick self-published a book titled Why People Don’t Like You which is a comedy book about social skills. [46]

Electoral history

New Jersey Senate

2023 New Jersey general election [47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Bramnick 34,435 53.5 Decrease 0.1
Democratic Matt Marino 29,948 46.5 Increase 0.1
Total votes 64,383 100.0
2021 New Jersey general election [48]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Bramnick 44,254 53.6 Decrease 1.1
Democratic Joseph Signorello III 38,237 46.4 Increase 1.1
Total votes 82,491 100.0

New Jersey Assembly

See also: New Jersey's 21st legislative district
21st Legislative District General Election, 2019 [49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jon Bramnick (incumbent) 28,787 26.31%
Republican Nancy Munoz (incumbent) 28,079 25.66%
Democratic Lisa Mandelblatt 25,452 23.26%
Democratic Stacey Gunderman 24,865 22.73%
Independent Conservative Martin Marks 1,147 1.05%
Independent Conservative Harris Pappas 1,081 0.99%
Total votes 109,411 100%
Republican hold
New Jersey general election, 2017 [50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 35,283 26.4 Decrease 3.5
Republican Nancy Munoz (Incumbent) 34,273 25.7 Decrease 3.8
Democratic Lacey Rzeszowski 32,719 24.5 Increase 3.9
Democratic Bruce H. Bergen 31,248 23.4 Increase 3.4
Total votes 133,523 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2015 [51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 20,024 29.9 Decrease 3.0
Republican Nancy Munoz (Incumbent) 19,783 29.5 Decrease 2.4
Democratic Jill Anne LaZare 13,804 20.6 Increase 2.5
Democratic David Barnett 13,378 20.0 Increase 2.9
Total votes 66,989 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2013 [52]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 38,556 32.9 Increase 1.2
Republican Nancy Munoz (Incumbent) 37,314 31.9 Steady 0.0
Democratic Jill Anne LaZare 21,129 18.1 Increase 0.7
Democratic Norman W. Albert 20,045 17.1 Decrease 0.3
Total votes 117,044 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2011 [53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nancy Munoz (Incumbent) 25,491 31.9
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 25,303 31.7
Democratic Bruce H. Bergen 13,878 17.4
Democratic Norman W. Albert 13,864 17.4
Libertarian Darren Young 1,324 1.7
Total votes 79,860 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2009 [54]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nancy Munoz (Incumbent) 45,515 32.5 Increase 3.4
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 45,439 32.4 Increase 3.5
Democratic Bruce Bergen 24,848 17.7 Decrease 1.3
Democratic Norman Albert 24,240 17.3 Decrease 1.3
Total votes 140,042 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2007 [55]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eric Munoz (Incumbent) 27,496 29.1 Decrease 0.5
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 27,322 28.9 Decrease 0.2
Democratic Bruce Bergen 17,937 19.0 Decrease 1.7
Democratic Norman Albert 17,629 18.6 Decrease 1.9
Green George DeCarlo 1,245 1.3 N/A
Green Ryan P. Reyes 1,180 1.2 N/A
Libertarian Darren Young 900 1.0 N/A
Libertarian Jeff Hetrick 850 0.9 N/A
Total votes 94,559 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2005 [56]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eric Munoz (Incumbent) 40,839 29.6 Decrease 0.3
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 40,123 29.1 Increase 0.2
Democratic Bruce Bergen 28,595 20.7 Decrease 0.5
Democratic Steven Merman 28,319 20.5 Increase 3.1
Total votes 137,876 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2003 [57]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eric Munoz (Incumbent) 27,626 29.9 Increase 1.5
Republican Jon Bramnick (Incumbent) 26,714 28.9 Decrease 2.9
Democratic Ellen Steinberg 19,602 21.2 Increase 0.7
Democratic Norman W. Albert 16,087 17.4 Decrease 1.9
Green George DeCarlo 1,045 1.1 N/A
Green Ryan Reyes 987 1.1 N/A
Unemployed Joshua Jacobs 464 0.5 N/A
Total votes 92,525 100.0

References

  1. ^ "Legislature swears in 21 new members as 220th session begins". New Jersey Globe. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  2. ^ Harrell, Jeff. (April 9, 2003). "Secession wave gathers strength: Montclairites start petition drive to leave county". The Montclair Times. Archived from the original on June 19, 2003. Retrieved September 12, 2015. In February, after Sen. Thomas Kean Jr. vacated the 21st District Assembly seat and stepped into the 21st District's senatorial post upon the resignation of former 21st District Sen. Rich Bagger, McDermott ran for Kean's vacated Assembly position in the district. But out of a total of roughly 500 delegates that voted for the 21st District's Assembly chair at the special Republican Convention held in February, McDermott could only muster 25 votes from the Millburn delegation and one vote from another county. Jon Bramnick from Westfield garnered the most votes, mostly from the nine municipalities in his home county of Union, and won the district's Assembly seat handily
  3. ^ "Bramnick, Matsikoudis, Muñoz win in the 21st district - New Jersey Globe". November 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Friedman, Matt. "Anti-Trump NJ state Sen. Jon Bramnick launches bid for governor", Politico,January 27, 2024. Accessed January 28, 2024. "New Jersey state Sen. Jon Bramnick, a proud moderate who moonlights as a stand-up comic, became the first Republican to formally announce his candidacy for governor on Saturday."
  5. ^ Wildstein, David. "Bramnick joins race for N.J. governor", New Jersey Globe, January 27, 2024. Accessed January 28, 2024. "Jon Bramnick, a moderate state senator with a penchant for lower taxes and more civility in politics – and a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump — announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for governor of New Jersey in 2025 with a message that 'hateful rhetoric is a threat to our democracy and a terrible message to our children.'"
  6. ^ a b c d Senator Jon M. Bramnick (R), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick". New Jersey Assembly Republicans. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  8. ^ "The Courier-News 20 Nov 1984, page Page 7".
  9. ^ "The Courier-News 07 Aug 1991, page Page 19".
  10. ^ "Mr. Brammick, Mrs. Lund Join '98 GOP Ticket" (PDF). The Westfield Leader. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 18, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Courier-News 03 Jun 1998, page Page 16".
  12. ^ "The Courier-News 04 Nov 1998, page Page 20".
  13. ^ a b The 2015 Lincoln Award Presented to New Jersey Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, Woodcliff Lake republican Club. Accessed November 23, 2016.
  14. ^ Jon M. Bramnick Profile, Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan. Accessed November 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Leadership, Union County Republican Committee. Accessed November 23, 2016.
  16. ^ "Union bloc backs Bramnick over Barry in 21st - Westfield GOP chairman wins district convention for state Assembly seat". New Jersey Hills Media Group. February 20, 2003. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  17. ^ Pizarro, Max. "Bramnick in as whip", PolitickerNJ.com, June 11, 2007. Retrieved on June 13, 2009.
  18. ^ "New Jersey GOP Elects Bramnick New Majority Leader - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. January 17, 2012.
  19. ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
  20. ^ Legislative Roster for District 21, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Stile, Charles. "In a Trump-dominated GOP, a Jersey moderate won't run for governor | Stile". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Wildstein, David (November 8, 2023). "After winning re-election, Bramnick throws a punch at Spadea". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  23. ^ "POLITICO Pro". subscriber.politicopro.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Trump 'hurt the GOP brand': N.J. state senator explains strategy to woo voters". WHYY. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  25. ^ "Bramnick and the moderate LG option". Observer. June 30, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Symons, Michael (June 28, 2022). "What NJ is doing to protect out-of-state women seeking abortion". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  27. ^ Fox, Joey (January 18, 2022). "Who were the holdouts on the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act?". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Biryukov, Nikita; New Jersey Monitor (January 27, 2024). "Republican Jon Bramnick launches long-expected gubernatorial campaign". New Jersey Monitor. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Friedman, Matt (October 23, 2020). "'I'm going to do what's right': Bramnick criticism of Trump could hurt his statewide prospects". POLITICO. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  30. ^ "In a post - Trump era, a Governor Jon Bramnick could Dislodge the NJGOP from the Cult of Maga". Insider NJ. September 15, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Hefler, Jan (October 17, 2016). "NJ legislators get a whiff of Colorado's pot industry: "We want to do it right.'". Inquirer.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Trevelise, Steve (July 25, 2018). "Jon Bramnick opens up on Murphy, marijuana". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  33. ^ Trevelise, Steve (March 26, 2019). "Bramnick, 'marijuana no votes were hard, not shaky'". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | New Jersey". NRAPVF. NRAPVF. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL ( link)
  35. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | New Jersey". NRAPVF. NRAPVF. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL ( link)
  36. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | New Jersey". NRAPVF. NRAPVF. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL ( link)
  37. ^ Wildstein, David (August 9, 2019). "Bramnick claims Democrats are lying about his record on guns". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  38. ^ Katz, Matt (July 3, 2013). "Democrats to Christie: Untie Republicans' hands on gay marriage". Inquirer.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  39. ^ "On Gay Marriage, NJ State Senate President Sweeney Vows Override of Christie's Veto | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  40. ^ McArdle, Kevin (February 16, 2012). "Gay Marriage Bill Expected To Pass Today, Governor Christie Vows Veto [AUDIO]". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  41. ^ NJTV News | Bramnick Says Christie Is Smart to Drop Appeal | PBS, retrieved January 31, 2024
  42. ^ "New Jersey S3416 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session". LegiScan. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  43. ^ Bell, Deborah (November 13, 2013). "Assembly Republican Leader Promises Laughs for Sandy Relief". Patch Media Group. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  44. ^ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey - Two Hundred and Eleventh Legislature (First Session) (PDF). Skinder-Strauss Associates. 2004. p. 272. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  45. ^ "Assemblyman O'Bramnick? - The Auditor". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. April 12, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015. 'I need an Irish name if I run statewide,' said Bramnick, who's Jewish.
  46. ^ "Jon Bramnick Knows Why People Don't Like You". TAPinto. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  47. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 6, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  48. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/02/2021 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  49. ^ "Official List, Candidates for General Assembly For PRIMARY ELECTION 06/04/2019 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  50. ^ "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
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  57. ^ "2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2019.

External links

New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 21st district
2003–2022
Served alongside: Eric Munoz, Nancy Munoz 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
2012–2022 		Succeeded by
New Jersey Senate
Preceded by Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 21st district
2022–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Jon_Bramnick&oldid=1213042551"