The 2023 NJ LD-21 State Senate election, a near match for his 2021 result in a sligjtly redder seat saw Longtime former Assemblyman, and incumbent Senator Jon Bramnick win a four year term over former Bernardsville councilman Matt Marino.
Broadly considered uncompetitive due to Bramnick's strong fundraising, Marino's weak fundraising, Democrats broadly not trying in the seat that year — Marino had been passed over for the 25th LD in 2021 — and Bramnick campaining hard for his then-to-be-announced 2025 Governor Campaign;
Bramnick's support did not portend for a similarly strong result for the assembly candidates, who won by 3.4% less than the incumbent Senator
With then Incumbents Nancy Muñoz, and Michell Matsikoudis beating back the Bernards Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Graner, and Springfield Township Committeeman Chris Weber in an unexpectedly close 3.6% win.
While the race was unexpectedly close, the federal lean of the seat, as it was won by Vice President Kamala Harris by 12% the following year, is a likely explanation for why the assembly contest was within 5% despite the seat being made redder by 1% in redistricting — as federal political gravity began to set in.
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