Graner may run for Assembly in 21st district

Bernards Township Democratic Municipal Chair Elizabeth Graner is taking steps to run for State Assembly in the 21st district.

Graner told the New Jersey Globe that she will appear before a Democratic screening committee in Somerset County tonight, the first step in what could be a bid to flip two Assembly seats that Republicans have held since 1991.

“I’m going to be in the process,” she said.

Democrats are beginning their candidate selection without knowing what the Republican slate will look like.

Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) has not yet decided if he will seek a seventh term in the New Jersey Senate, or run for Congress again in 2002.  Last year, Kean came within one percentage point of unseating Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in New Jersey’s 7th district.

If Kean chooses not to seek re-election, Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) will assuredly run for the Senate.  That will create an open Assembly seat on the Republican side to pick a running mate for Assembly Republican Conference Leader Nancy Munoz (R-Summit).

Graner is an English teacher at Rahway High School and a member of the politically influential New Jersey Education Association.

If she runs, it would be her first bid for public office.