New Jersey State Senator Jon Bramnick has declared his candidacy for the 2025 gubernatorial race, positioning himself as a moderate, anti-Trump Republican. The announcement, made at a New Brunswick comedy club where Bramnick, an accomplished stand-up comic, often performs.
Bramnick, known for his humor and the moniker “Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey,” says his campaign will take pains not to make Trump the focus of his campaign.
“I’m going to represent the traditional values of the Republican Party, not simply the voice of one person,” Bramnick said.
At 70, Bramnick, a personal injury attorney and a resident of Union County, boasts a lengthy career in New Jersey politics. He served on the Plainfield council from 1984 to 1991, joined the state Assembly in 2003, and in 2012, became the minority leader, a position he assumed following the sudden passing of Alex DeCroce. In 2021, he was elected to the state Senate.
Bramnick’s campaign comes at a time when other potential Republican candidates like Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, a very pro-Trump radio host, are also considering gubernatorial bids. In contrast to them, Bramnick has criticized the divisive rhetoric prevalent in contemporary politics, specifically targeting Spadea’s approach.