Jon Bramnick says Assembly GOP remains neutral on Joe Howarth

Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick says that the campaign wing of the Assembly Republicans will not back Joseph Howarth (R-Evesham) for re-election if he runs in the primary without party support.

“These are decisions made around the state by so-called local organizations,” Bramnick said.  “I don’t try to control what the county parties do.  I’m not going to be controlling Burlington or any other county.”

Burlington and Camden Republicans withdrew their support of Howarth for a third term in the legislature last Friday.  Howarth told the New Jersey Globe that evening that he plans to run as a Republican off the line.

Bramnick said the policy of Assembly Republican Majority, which provides financial and strategic support for GOP candidates, is to stay out of primaries.

“I like Joe Howarth, but I’m not going to get involved in any county,” Bramnick said.

Howarth’s political woes began earlier this month when State Sen. Dawn Addiego (D-Evesham) switched to the Democratic party.  There was speculation that Howarth would join her in the switch, something the assemblyman denies.

Republicans are currently looking at several candidates to join Ryan Peters (R-Lumberton) on the 8th district Assembly ticket.

Democrats view the Burlington-Camden-Atlantic district as one of their best opportunities to pick up Assembly seats in the 2019 mid-term elections.