Marks, Pappas attack Bramnick for Grewal event

Independent candidates in the 21st attacked Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick over a scheduled event featuring Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.

Grewal is set to appear on a panel led by Bramnick discussing “Hate Speech & Division in America,” at Union County College in Cranford two weeks before the election. Two of Gov. Chris Christie’s attorneys general, Jeffrey Chiesa and Christopher Porrino, will also appear on the panel.

“While addressing hate speech is no doubt a noble endeavor, Jon Bramnick should have thought twice about inviting AG Grenwal (sic) to our district,” Martin Marks said in a release. “Mr. Grenwal (sic) has been the lead government official in Governor Murphy’s initiatives to turn our cities and state into sanctuaries for illegal aliens.”

Grewal’s office and Union County College, which is hosting the event, have said the event is a non-political one.

Marks and his running mate, Harry Pappas, are mounting bids as independent conservatives in the increasingly-competitive 21st district. Democrats Lisa Mandelblatt and Stacey Gunderman are seeking the district’s Assembly seats.

Some Republicans in the state have launched attacks at Grewal, and Gov. Phil Murphy, over a directive limiting how much local law enforcement could cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement the attorney general issued last year.

Bramnick did not return a 9:31 a.m. phone call and voice mail message seeking comment.

Immigration has not emerged as an issue in the 21st, an affluent and relatively-moderate district covering portions of Union, Somerset and Morris Counties.

“Jon Bramnick has been known for thumbing his nose at conservative constituents that support President Trump. Now he thumbs his nose at all law-abiding citizens by inviting this extraordinarily liberal AG to Cranford,” Pappas said. “We encourage Mr. Bramnick to reconsider this invitation and instead join the fight against this Attorney General and his dangerous agenda.”