This news story is part of a continuing series of articles in The Jewish Link, in which we will feature each of the leading candidates running for governor of the state of New Jersey. Although the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election is 14 months away, the primaries are much closer, so it is in our best interest to learn more about the candidates before next summer.

This week we take a closer look at Jon Bramnick, a New Jersey state senator from Union County and a former Republican leader in the New Jersey State Assembly.

Senator Bramnick (R-21st District) has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2022. He previously served for 18 years as a New Jersey assemblyman representing the 21st District in the New Jersey State Assembly. In the State Assembly, he served as Republican leader (2012-2022), Republican conference leader (2009-2012), Republican whip (2007-2009), and assistant whip (2006-2007). Prior to that, he served as a member of the City of Plainfield Council (1984-1991).

Bramnick serves as the Republican municipal chairman of Westfield, where he lives with his family. He is a former professor at Rutgers University and Rider University.

He is the winner of the Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey contest and has performed at the Stress Factory, the Borgata and Tropicana Hotels in Atlantic City, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. You can see him perform at funniestlawyernewjersey.com.

Bramnick is an attorney with the firm Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, a private practice based in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

This interview was conducted on Thursday, August 22 and edited for space constraints.

What inspires you to run for governor of New Jersey?

In my judgment, the Republican Party has been damaged. We couldn’t defeat Governor Murphy in 2021, even though he follows a very left-wing agenda. I want to define the brand of our party as one that’s respectful, civil and statesmanlike. Our brand has been tarnished by Donald Trump, who keeps losing at the polls. I’m not going to pledge allegiance to Donald Trump; I’m loyal to the Republican Party. I want to convince New Jersey voters that they can trust the Republican Party.

In my district (District 21), there are 7,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans. Joe Biden won this district by 17 points. I won my last election by seven points. I believe I can work with Democrats and Republicans on an agenda that people in both parties will appreciate.

What is your leadership style?

I am generous to everyone, except myself. If a moment comes for strong leadership, you must rely on solid relationships you’ve built up over time.

My legal firm employs 75 people, including 27 lawyers, at three sites. Since 1984, four lawyers have left to be judges, one left to start their own practice, and one left after six months. Everyone else is still with us. We have staff who’ve been working with us for 30 years. I’m nothing without them. And our clients appreciate the consistency.

Please identify three to four accomplishments in your role as state senator that you are most proud to share.

I worked across the aisle to pass a bill to put defibrillators in every public school in the state. I started working on this bill after an 11-year-old died in a school in Warren.

I worked across the aisle to pass a bill to teach about grief and loss in every public high school in New Jersey. We worked on this bill with two great organizations in New Jersey, Good Grief and Imagine. I worked across the aisle to pass a bill to change the language on street signs by crosswalks, from “Yield” to “Stop for Pedestrians.” I believe this change has decreased traffic injuries and made our streets safer.

I’ve also worked on successful efforts to reduce estate taxes and to enable women to get a restraining order against a stranger who is harassing them. And I’m proud of a bill I just introduced to make it a crime for a person at any public protest to be wearing a mask.

In your view, what are the three biggest problems facing the State of New Jersey at this time?

I identify the three biggest issues as:

• Economics: People can’t afford to live here. There’s too much regulation. We have to do better to support economic growth.
• Crime: The bad guys don’t think there are consequences anymore.
• Education: Parents should be able to send their children to the local school in their town without interference from the state. [Senator Bramnick referenced a case in Superior Court in Mercer County, which may result in a court decision that mandates the desegregation of public schools by creating county school systems.]

Can you suggest new tactics to fight the rising tide of antisemitism in New Jersey?

We must give the New Jersey Attorney General’s office more funds to build out their office and expand the work of the Division of Civil Rights. They are underfunded and undermanned. He [Matthew Platkin] needs more people.

We need to create more local events that encourage people to gather in their neighborhoods, to get to know each other and build a greater sense of community.

We also need to work harder in our schools to teach civility and statesmanship. Often, the bigoted words and actions we are seeing are the results of pure ignorance. Changes in curriculum can be an initiative of the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.

How would you handle the anti-Israel/antisemitic rallies, which often exhibit harassing behaviors, on college campuses and in high schools?

When people violate the law, we should arrest them.

I met with Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway and he told me, “We don’t want violence.” I replied, “So why not tell them to not violate the law?” If you trespass, you should get arrested. There is no middle ground on breaking the law. We should back up our police.

Which leaders have you worked with in New Jersey Jewish communities and would consider as your top advisers on Jewish communal concerns?

I am fond of Rabbi Charles Kroloff, the rabbi emeritus of my synagogue in Westfield (Temple Emanu-El) and all the rabbis of the temple.

Would you consider visiting Israel during the campaign or in your first six months in office, to better understand the issues that animate many Jewish community members?

100%! I plan to visit Israel shortly after I am elected governor.

Would you advocate for increasing the funds available from the Department of Homeland Security to houses of worship in New Jersey?

Yes, definitely.

Harry Glazer is the Middlesex County Editor for The Jewish Link. He can be reached at [email protected] and he welcomes reader feedback. Harry greatly appreciated this opportunity to interview and get to know New Jersey State Senator Jon Bramnick.