Former Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen today endorsed State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) for the Republican nomination for Governor next year, giving the moderate lawmaker support from a high-profile former congressman who left office more than five years ago partly due to his frustration with then-President Donald Trump.
“I am proud to endorse Jon Bramnick for Governor, as he is a principled, dedicated conservative who wins elections because he stands by his conviction,” Frelinghuysen said. “His legislative service to New Jersey has been marked by honesty, thoughtfulness, and good humor at a time when such marks of character are in short supply.”
It’s not clear if Frelinghuysen still has any influence with GOP primary voters in a state where Trump remains extraordinarily popular among Republicans.
“I’m very happy Jon Bramnick is running, as he knows that public safety, taxes, corruption, and fiscal mismanagement are taking a toll, as many long-time New Jersey residents and corporations are exiting our great state,” Frelinghuysen said.
Bramnick announced his candidacy in February, becoming the first Republican to officially join the race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat who is term-limited in 2025.
Frelinghuysen was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in 2018 when Trump’s midterm suddenly imperiled his bid for a 13th term. New activists like Saily Avelenda made Frelinghuysen hide under his desk and cry, and first-time candidate Mikie Sherrill’s $1.2 million warchest by the end of 2017 caused him to abruptly end his political career.
See here for a full list of endorsements in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election.