Comedian Vinnie Brand might challenge Cory Booker

Vinnie Brand, a businessman and stand-up comedian who owns the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, told a group of Republican leaders tonight that he is considering a run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Cory Booker.

Brand, 62, spoke at a fundraiser for State Sen. Jon Bramnick, who is up for re-election in 2027.  Attendees at the event, held at Bramnick’s Westfield home, included four Republican county chairs – Laura Marie Ali of Morris, Rob Bengivenga of Middlesex, Tracy DiFrancesco of Somerset, and Pat Johnson of Mercer.  Former Gov. Chris Christie and former Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz were also in attendance.

Republicans have not yet settled on a challenger to Booker, who is the heavy favorite to hold the seat he first won in a 2013 special election after Democrat Frank Lautenberg died in office.

So far, only former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Michael Murphy has announced his candidacy.  Murphy, who has lost two congressional primaries, ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and finished third in a four-candidate GOP primary with 11.3%.

Brand has performed on television and radio, including appearances on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Last Comic Standing, and the Opie and Anthony Show.