WESTFIELD – On Monday night, Jon Bramnick, GOP candidate for governor, invited friends of the campaign into his home to maintain ongoing preparations in advance of 2025. “Lawyers for Bramnick” drew 100 people, mostly Republicans who share the candidate’s priorities of fiscal conservatism, law and order, respect for the courts and the decisions of the courts, and commitment to strengthening American institutions.

The beautiful Bramnick home contains the confluence of worlds made by both husband and wife: the great room to house people of politics and their conversations, and the studio refuge to engage art and another spirit of aspiration: the architecture of extrovert and introvert, spaces conceived and created by an enduring partnership, in concert with nature. Brent Bramnick, the couple’s son and attorney at the family firm, welcomed guests, here to discuss politics, of course, but inevitably drawn into the larger range land of this civilized New Jersey family.

“I don’t hedge my bets when it comes to respecting our court system,” said the candidate for governor.

Patricia Brentano Bramnick, at the same time, in another part of the house, discussed the finer points of art and the environment, and the role in that relationship of natural light.

Bramnick and his wife seem fascinated by their separate, sustaining disciplines, giving without giving up the specific ground each occupies.

Art? What a concept.

Politics? Yes, fantastic.

That mood prevails whenever the two of them are in close proximity, the essence of this home, and the particular generosity on this night.

At ease grooving among his guests, Bramnick spoke generally about his evolving campaign. “I think the overall theme is no matter how much we argue, we can resolve the issues,” he said, a nod to his profession and his friends, many of whom are actually rivals, who have zealously fought one another in court, only to end up happily crammed together nursing drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the Bramnicks’ expansive back patio.

People here included Rich Bagger, former state senator and former chief-of-staff to former Governor Chris Christie; former U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance; Wilbur Christie, the former governor’s father; Union County GOP diehard Glenn Mortimer; Anthony Ambrose, former Newark Public Safety Director; Ned Thompson, former conference leader in the Assembly; Trenton insider Michael Murphy, and many others.

Together, the Bramnicks convey grounded-ness, morality, character, work and reputation, stamina, civility, good taste, and the cultivation of civility and civilization at odds with the prevailing political atmosphere of ignorance, mediocrity, and hate. Bramnick frequently remarks on the nation’s political circumstances, with deep concern. “It’s dangerously out of control,” he said at one point. His countervailing response never seems studied or mannered. Those concepts have no place in art, a 44-year natural fit with his politics.

InsiderNJ talked to people at the party. As befits the national cycle, most considered the developing presidential contest. Several expressed outrage over the demonstrated diminished condition of President Joe Biden, and anger over what they characterize as a Democratic Party “cover-up.” Republicans in the room expressed their support for Donald Trump, but simultaneously enthusiastically back Bramnick’s gubernatorial candidacy. No one in the party has criticized in as concentrated and lawyerly a fashion the Republican nominee for president, consistently condemning Trump’s hatred, and the U.S. Capitol-desecrating actions of his followers on Jan. 6th, 2021. Still, Democrats’ policies – both nationally and in New Jersey – present what Bramnick describes as “an impossible future for the country.”

Campaign buttons festively arranged on a table in the great room bear the words: “VOTE BRAMNICK GOVERNOR: Sincerity, Civility, and Service.” Son of Plainfield stationary store owners made good as a lawyer and statewide political force, the former Assembly GOP Leader who helped build his legislative

district into one of New Jersey’s most influential and respected, Bramnick in conversation routinely emphasizes his respect and reverence for the courts, and for institutions, starting with family.

“All of the issues in New Jersey haven’t come to the surface yet, as people are focusing on the presidential election and not on the details of a gubernatorial campaign, but when it comes to issues, most of us [in the fledgling GOP field] are very similar,” Bramnick told InsiderNJ. “We are focused on fiscal issues, on crime, and ensuring the safety of our citizens. I honestly believe we’re all fairly in the same lane. The difference is I think I can win. When I make a decision as governor, it won’t be clouded solely by politics and an ‘us versus them’ environment. …What you’re doing is you’re looking at someone’s judgement. People are desperate to vote for a Republican candidate but there’s a fear there. I deeply believe there is an overwhelming thirst for change. The question is, do people have the confidence to trust in a Republican because our brand has been compromised. I’m the candidate people are going to trust. People will trust that when I make a decision, it will be in their best interest. Who will people trust in a crisis?” He said he believes New Jersey voters will look favorably at principled decisions he makes in his work as a public servant, and as a man who built a successful business, decisions ranging from his fiscally conservative priorities in the crafting of a state budget to something as foundational and personal, as “even picking a mate,” Bramnick noted with a particular sense of pride.