Bramnick’s hometown mayor slams him on pledge to ‘discredit’ victims of sexual assault

The mayor of Jon Bramnick’s hometown lashed out at the Assembly Minority Leader for a since-removed section of his law firm website that told clients he would work to “discredit” victims of sexual assault to help them avoid a conviction.

“I’m appalled that Bramnick advertises his law practice by insinuating that survivors of sexual assault are lying because they’re upset over a break-up or hurt feelings,” said Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle.  “These dated stereotypes have been disproven time and again, and the fact that he’s still using them in 2019 speaks volumes to how out of touch he is with the communities he represents.”

Brindle, a Democrat, became Westfield’s first woman mayor in 2017 when she ousted three-term GOP incumbent Andrew Skibitsky by a 61%-39% margin.  Brindle, a former HBO executive, received 7,180 votes in Westfield in her first bid for public office.  Bramnick, the Westfield GOP municipal chairman, won 5,664 votes in the same election.

That was the first time Bramnick was not the top vote-getter in Westfield.  His hometown margin was just 102 votes, more than 1,000 less than his previous election.

“Coming on the heels of a highly offensive misogynistic ad which misrepresented his opponents, Bramnick’s true colors are showing for all to see,” Brindle said.

Bramnick faces two Democratic women in the November general election: Lisa Mandelblatt, an attorney and teacher from Westfield, and former New Providence Democratic Municipal Chair Stacey Gunderman.