A Pragmatic Choice for Governor: Why Jon Bramnick is the NJGOP’s Best Bet to Win in November 2025

By Jason F. Cilento (R), Mayor of the Borough of Dunellen, New Jersey

The Republican Party in New Jersey stands at a crossroads in determining its future direction. While the state came within six points of flipping to President Donald J. Trump in the 2024 election—an achievement in a state that hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential race since 1988—the results show that New Jersey is a purple state, not a red stronghold. This reality underscores why the NJGOP must carefully consider its choice for governor. We cannot assume that Trump’s improved performance in New Jersey alone means we should distance ourselves from moderate Republicans or ignore the fact that our state is truly purple. A center-right candidate is needed to win a statewide gubernatorial election.

While Trump’s gains in the Garden State were undeniably impressive, it’s important to remember that the Republican Party is a “big tent”—one that should embrace a wide range of voices and has the potential to attract independents and disaffected blue-dog Democrats. We should not dismiss center-right, pragmatic perspectives, especially in a state where Republicans remain the minority in Trenton. At the same time, we must also engage with the more conservative wing of the party—and those in between.

We still have a state that needs to be governed. Issues like affordable housing mandates, the rising cost of living, law and order, economic development, immigration, and a struggling NJ Transit are too important to be bogged down by party gridlock. We cannot afford to let our party grind to a halt for the sake of ideological purity—or worse, allow infighting within the GOP to create more room for the current majority party to become further disconnected from the needs of its constituents, allowing it to continue its decades-long run of unchecked power and control. The people of New Jersey deserve better—from both sides of the aisle.

Taking this all into consideration, I believe State Senator Jon Bramnick, from Legislative District 21, is the right candidate to lead the NJGOP as governor. He is a thoughtful leader: fiscally conservative, socially moderate, and willing to hear all sides of an issue—qualities that make him an ideal candidate for governor in New Jersey.

Bramnick is the Republican candidate who can bridge the divide within our party, uniting its various factions while governing pragmatically. Before heading over to the State Senate in 2022, he served in the General Assembly from 2003 to 2022, holding leadership roles such as Assembly Republican Leader (2012-2022), Republican Conference Leader (2009-2012), Republican Whip (2007-2009), and Assistant Whip (2006-2007). You don’t earn leadership positions from your Republican colleagues time and again without demonstrating the ability to respect the party line while also uniting diverse GOP voices within the caucus.

Bramnick also has the ability to work with Democrats, who are likely to maintain a majority in Trenton for the foreseeable future due to district lines. The ability to negotiate with the opposite side of the aisle and bring them back to the center is a political win—compromise is not a dirty word, and it can be done without sacrificing one’s principles. Bramnick has the skill to do just that.

Another important perspective to consider when choosing the Republican gubernatorial candidate is Jon Bramnick’s consistent success in a purple legislative district, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a margin of 1.14 to 1. In this district, Bramnick has won by 7 points in both 2021 and 2023, despite the fact that the Democratic presidential candidate won by 18 points in 2020 and the Democratic candidate in 2024 won by almost 13 points.

When comparing Jon Bramnick’s performance against his Democratic opponents in the 2021 and 2023 State Senate races to Donald Trump’s performance against his Democratic opponents in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, Bramnick outperformed Trump by 13 points in 2021 and nearly 10 points in 2023. While this is not a direct matchup between Bramnick and Trump, these numbers highlight that Bramnick’s district reflects broader voter registration trends in New Jersey, where Democrats hold a 1.3 to 1 advantage over Republicans.

This data underscores that Bramnick has the appeal and electability necessary to win statewide as a Republican. Electability in a general election is a critical factor in choosing the GOP candidate, and it should play a central role in our decision-making process as we approach the upcoming primary season and select the candidate best positioned to represent our party in the November 2025 gubernatorial race.

Furthermore, Bramnick is currently the only elected official in the field of GOP candidates. This is not a slight to the other contenders—I have great respect for each of them—but it does give his candidacy additional weight. Having consecutively served in both chambers of the State Legislature, he directly understands the current issues facing the state and has already developed strong relationships with both sides of the aisle in Trenton. He is the candidate best prepared to sit at the table where the important decisions are being made and negotiate on the biggest issues facing our state.

It is for these reasons that I was one of the first mayors to endorse Jon Bramnick for Governor and to host an event for him in June 2024. It’s also why the entire Dunellen Republican Organization, along with all of our Republican Council members, has joined me in endorsing his candidacy. We believe in him because we know he believes in New Jersey.

Whichever Republican gubernatorial candidate emerges from the primary in June 2025 and faces the Democratic nominee in the general election, we as Republicans—regardless of where we fall on the GOP spectrum—must unite behind them and work to elect them. For me, the candidate I am supporting in the GOP primary is Jon Bramnick. For the reasons I’ve outlined above, I hope you will consider joining me.

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About the Author: Mayor Jason Cilento, a lifelong Dunellen resident, holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kean University and an M.A. in Public Administration from Rutgers University. Elected to the Borough Council at 20, he became Mayor in 2020 and is currently serving his second term. He has secured nearly $100 million in downtown investments, attracting multiple development projects and promoting façade improvements, earning Dunellen the “Great Downtown” designation from the American Planners Association – New Jersey Chapter. He has also secured nearly $9 million in grants for infrastructure and safety and advocates for direct Raritan Valley Rail Line service to NYC. He prioritizes environmental initiatives, community engagement, and serves on statewide organizations that support local officials and advocate for municipal issues across New Jersey.