Josh Welle marching in Asbury Park with Sen Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone
NewJerseyGlobe is reporting that Josh Welle said he is considering as run for State Assembly in from the 13th Legislative district.
“It’s something I’m taking a look at,” Welle told the New Jersey Globe. “I’m going to take the next few weeks to see if that makes sense and see if it’s the best way for me to serve.”
Welle, who is registered to vote in Virginia, did not say if he would seek the Democrat or Republican nomination for Assembly. He’s been a registered Democrat for less than two years, declaring himself a D after he was turned down for a White House Fellowship in the Trump Administration in 2017. Shortly thereafter he started running for the Democrat nomination for Congress from New Jersey’s 4th district.
“Our message in New Jersey as Republicans has always been one of fiscal responsibility and civility,” said Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-21) in an interview with WNYC radio. “I want people to know that as a Republican in this state, I want to respect people and bring people together. And, if that message is not coming from Washington, it is going to come from me.”
Bramnick, like Kevin Bacon in Animal House, is preparing to take another beating and to politely ask for more.
Josh Welle and Amber Gesslein could run for the Dem nominations for Assembly in LD 13 next year.
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin’s announcement that she will not seek reelection next year inevitably creates speculation on who will run to replace her. While party leaders on both sides of the aisle would rather their troops stay focused on the election coming up next month, the jockeying has started given how infrequently a vacancy occurs in the 13th district.
Democrats, who normally lose badly in the district will likely have a contest for the two Assembly nominations next year, given Handlin’s vacancy and Serena DiMaso serving her freshman term. DiMaso put something of a target on her back with the Dems when she made a robocall criticizing LD 11 Assemblymembers Eric Hougtaling and Joann Downey for voting for Governor Murphy’s tax increases. Houghtaling and Downey responded to DiMaso’s robocall with an ethics complaint.
With the Assembly on top of the ballot next year, Dems will likely be motivated and funded, even in LD 13.
Potential Democrat Candidates for LD 13 Assembly in 2019 who are running for other offices this year:
