Bramnick seeking 10th, and likely final, term in Assembly

Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) is launching his campaign for re-election to a tenth term in the New Jersey State Assembly today in a race that could be his toughest and likely his last.

Bramnick, who turns 66 next month, has told friends that he will spend two more years in the Assembly and then it’s either up or out, several sources with knowledge of his plans told the New Jersey Globe.

His first choice is the State Senate, if Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) gives up his seat.

Kean is currently mulling a run for Congress against freshman Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Rocky Hill) in 2020.  If he wins, Bramnick would be a shoo-in to win a January 2021 special election convention to replace Kean in the Senate.

Kean and Bramnick are both considered possible candidates for the 2021 Republican gubernatorial nomination. If Kean runs, Bramnick would seek his open State Senate seat – assuming the 21st district remains standing after legislative redistricting.

Bramnick has been mentioned as a candidate for higher office before, but passed on chances to run for U.S. Senate, Governor and Congress.    He first won office in 1984 when he was elected to the Plainfield city council.