Bramnick: "It's hard to pass up an opportunity like this"

By Matt Friedman | November 19th, 2007 - 1:20pm
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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick was set to make a decision on whether he would run for U.S. Senate as early as this week. But now, with the announcement that Mike Ferguson will not seek re-election to Congress in 2008, Bramnick appears to have his sights set on that seat

“It’s hard to pass up an opportunity like this,” said Bramnick, who said he'll make a decision on whether or not to go for it tomorrow morning.

Bramnick said that he has received communications from within the party this morning via email and telephone asking him to run.

“I can’t understand why Ferguson is not running,” said Bramnick.

Another obvious contender is State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr., who was just named Senate Minority Leader. Bramnick previously said he would not seek a U.S. Senate seat if Kean wanted to challenge Lautenberg, which could mean that Kean is not interested in running for this seat (Kean could not immediately be reached for comment).

Other possible candidates include state Senator Leonard Lance, state Senator-Elect Kip Bateman, Former Congressman Bob Franks, Somerset County Freeholder Jack Ciattarelli, Hunterdon County Freeholder Will Mennen, Scotch Plains mayor Marty Marks and Bridgewater Mayor Patty Flannery.

NJ's going to lose a congressional seat

What people are not discussing here is the fact that NJ is definitely going to lose a congressional seat in the next round of re-districting.  Whoever wins the 7th district next year could find themselves pitted against an incumbent after that. 

Yes but...

The VRA mandates two minority-majority districts. Only Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell have enough minority voters to add to Donald Payne's district to retain a black majority district. Pascrell will be ready to retire by 2010, and I believe his seat will be carved up.

Run Jon Run!

He is the man to take this!

Wake-Up Call

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