Bramnick and the moderate LG option

GOP sources confirm that GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie is assessing Assembly Minority Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) as a potential running mate.

Contacted about the information coming from three sources, Bramnick said, "no comment."

A moderate Republican and staunch longtime ally of Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., (R-Westfield), who became whip two years ago, built some statewide campaign cred in the 2007 cycle and generated buzz as a possible 2008 candidate for U.S. Congress in the 7th Congressional District before electing not to run, Bramnick last year also founded the progressive policy committee as a way to focus Assembly Republicans on environmental, women's and other issues.

Bramnick backed Christie for governor before the U.S. Attorney's formal announcement last year, and in late January threw a $3,400-a-head fundraiser for the budding gubernatorial candidate at his Westfield home.

“The minute you preach morality, you’re done,” the pro-choice Bramnick told PolitickerNJ.com last year a week after the McCain-Palin loss as he considered the future of his party. “That sold after Monica Lewinsky, but frankly, I’m offended by it.

“My greatest concern is our party will be considered intolerant,” Bramnick added. “I believe you must be careful when you’re a leader that there should be no perception of intolerance. When we try to preach moral values or social values we’re going to be perceived as intolerant. People want solutions to problems that face average people. They do not want to be dictated to about their values by government leaders. There are no perfect families and many, many families are dysfunctional. Therefore, we should not as leaders be perceived as dictating values. Rather, we should be perceived as open-minded.” 

An attorney with his own firm and former corporation counsel in New York City who was born and raised in Plainfield, Bramnick shares a similar personal and professional profile to Newark-bron attorney Christie. But as a standup comedian, he also brings a decidedly lighter touch. 

Many insiders saw Christie's backing of fierce conservative Assemblyman Jay Webber for GOP state chairman as a nod to the Lonegan wing of the New Jersey Republican Party and a perfect counterweight to Christie's impending selection of, say, Bergen County Clerk Kathe Donovan, who like Bramnick considers herself a moderate.

But if Christie does not select Donovan (or fellow moderate state Sen. Diane Allen of Burlington), the 56-year-old Bramnick with working class roots fits the profile of a seasoned, steady-hand veteran who won't frighten - and, in the view of some insiders, could even charm - moderate and independent voters.