Freshman Assemblyman Vinnie Kearney (D-Garwood) appears increasingly unlikely to challenge State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) next year, despite widespread expectations that Democrats will target the veteran Republican in one of New Jersey’s few split legislative districts.
Democrats flipped two Assembly seats in the politically competitive 21st district last year, with Kearney and Andrew Macurdy (D-Summit), a former federal and state prosecutor, ousting two incumbents. That’s made Bramnick, a two-term senator and an assemblyman for more than eighteen years before that, a possible Democratic target in 2027.
But Kearney suggested he has little appetite for an immediate bid for higher office.
“I have the job that I want,” Kearney said. “There are no free shots at the State Senate if you’re already here. You’re giving up your Assembly seat to take a run at a Senate seat.”
Kearney also acknowledged Bramnick’s political strength in the district.
“Jon Bramnick’s a pretty popular guy in my area,” he said.
While stopping short of ruling out a campaign, Kearney indicated that a Senate race is not currently on his radar.
“I haven’t made any decisions yet. It’s way too early. I don’t have a whole heck of a lot of interest right now. I’m happy to be where I am,” he said. “I just got here. I’m enjoying the work. I like the job that I have.”
Macurdy is considered a possible Democratic Senate candidate; so is Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded (D-Westfield).
Despite the prospect of a future campaign against Bramnick, Kearney emphasized that he has worked cooperatively with him on several issues.
“I’m not opposed to working with the senator when we have good ideas that align,” he said.
One area of collaboration involves legislation that would require mold inspectors and remediation contractors to register with the state. The measure would establish oversight within the Department of Community Affairs and impose penalties on unregistered operators.
“It’s something — I’m not Mr. throw a regulation on it for no reason — but this is kind of calling for it,” Kearney said, citing concerns about scams and misinformation in the industry.
Kearney also expressed support for a Bramnick proposal that would require lawmakers to hold at least two town halls each year, although he questioned whether such outreach should need to be mandated by law.
“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “It’s a little sad that we even have to have that conversation, that we have to mandate something that people should be doing anyway.”
Kearney said he plans to hold his own town halls once he completes the process of establishing a district office.
“I fully intend to hold actual town halls,” he said. “I like to go out and just talk to people.”
Kearney and Macurdy ousted Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) and Michele Matsikoudis (R-New Providence) in 2025. Munoz, a seven-term lawmaker, was on the ballot for the first time without Bramnick.
Macurdy led the field with 54,965 votes, while Kearney received 53,881. Muñoz finished with 46,367 votes and Matsikoudis with 46,385. In total, Democrats won by a 54%-46% margin.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill carried the 21st by 11,869 votes in 2025, a margin of 55%-44%. Two years ago, Kamala Harris won the district by over 12 points.
Bramnick was re-elected to the State Senate in 2023 by 4,487 votes, a 7-point victory.
He told the New Jersey Globe that he is “gearing up” for a re-election bid.
The former gubernatorial candidate held his first town hall meeting last month in Westfield and has another set for June 23 at the Elks Hall in Summit – both swing towns in the 21st legislative district. More than a year away from the 2027 election, Bramnick has already begun sending out direct mail in the 21st legislative district, highlighting his moderate, non-Trump-aligned brand of Republican politics.
Before joining the legislature, he served on the Garwood Borough Council and was the Garwood Democratic municipal chairman.