WESTFIELD – Jon Bramnick built up a lifetime of goodwill in his community going back to when he first started pounding on doors in his hometown of Plainfield. Along the way, moving from the Queen City to neighboring Westfield, and going from local government service to the state legislature, and the Assembly to the Senate, the social extrovert built an army of allies who stayed with him, because he stayed with him.

Now, as he runs for governor in the developing 2025 Republican Primary, Bramnick looks prepared and in his veteran political prime. A life well lived, sustained by family and friendships cultivated over many years, makes his gubernatorial intention in his home state feel less calculated or forced and more like the wholly natural expression of a lively and authentic public presence.

His fundraiser last night at his home here proved his biggest yet, as fundraising friends and political supporters gathered for pizza and conversation at O’Bramnick’s – the pub concept he devised some years back to underscore the easygoing neighborhood atmosphere. The state senator introduced Gwen Crews, one of his longest-standing allies, going back to Bramnick’s first campaigns in Plainfield, and Vinnie Brand, the noted comedian and owner of the Stress Factory Comedy Club, where Bramnick frequently performs, and where he launched his campaign for governor earlier this year.

His old friends love Bramnick and are eager to vouch for him, as is longtime running mate, Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-21), and many others contributing to a growing mood of purpose around the veteran lawmaker’s candidacy.

“If you can have friends for a long period of time and concentrate on your friends and make sure you’re loyal, that shows character,” said Bramnick, as people packed the patio outside the Bramnick home and mingled.

The keynote speaker of the fundraising event was Dan Geltrude, America’s accountant, who stood on a chair over the crowd.

“I call Jon Bramnick ‘professor,’ and there’s a reason for that going back to the mid 80’s at Rider [University] when I had Jon Bramnick as my business law professor,” Geltrude said. “Can you believe it? I look older than him. The word then was ‘take Bramnick, he’s an easy grader.’ But in all of our lives there is a teacher or a professor you have, people who really impact your life and change the course and direction of your life, and in my case that’s true too because after I took Professor Bramnick’s class I thought there’s no way I’m becoming a lawyer.”

Bramnick laughed heartily.

Then Geltrude made it clear he plans to work aggressively on the candidate’s behalf to raise money for him and to insist that other results-driven people join him. “As we go out and we’re already committed, we need to get other people not just to vote but we need to raise money,” said the accountant, who insisted a contribution now to Bramnick is a return on investment. “If you don’t want your taxes to go up, make the contribution. …When [Bramnick] wins, you’re going to get back far more than that in saved taxes.” Geltrude proved a strong fundraiser for former Governor Chris Christie.