Murphy Appoints Francis O’Conner as New DOT Commissioner
This week, Governor Phil Murphy announced the appointment of Francis K. O’Conner as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. O’Conner will replace Diane Scaccetti, who is now serving as Governor Murphy’s Chief of Staff.
O'Connor began his 40-year career in public and private transportation sectors as a toll collector on the New Jersey Turnpike, eventually rising to the Turnpike Authority's deputy director for electronic toll collections. He has worked throughout New Jersey for companies including Edison-based Atkins, an engineering consultant firm, and Ewing-based Electronic Transaction Consultants.
"With more than four decades of experience working within transportation agencies across the country, Fran is immensely qualified to advance my Administration’s efforts to continue building a transportation system that is more modern and more accessible than ever before," said Governor Murphy.
Kevin Dehmer Chosen as New NJDOE Commissioner
Kevin Dehmer, a fifteen-year veteran at the New Jersey Department of Education, is Governor Murphy’s pick to serve as his new commissioner.
He’ll replace Angelica Allen-McMillan, who leaves the cabinet this week after serving three years as acting commissioner.
“Nobody is better prepared to meet this charge than Kevin,” said Murphy. “His wealth of experience in education policy and proven commitment to improving educational outcomes for all New Jersey students will make him an indispensable asset.”
Dehmer has served as executive director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, leading researchers in devising education and training strategies to enhance workers’ skills. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Commissioner of Education and the department’s chief financial officer. He was an interim commissioner twice, in 2018 and 2020.
Jon Bramnick Enters GOP Primary for Governor
This past weekend, New Jersey State Senator Jon Bramnick held a campaign kickoff event at the Stress Factory comedy club in New Brunswick, announcing that he will run to be the 2025 Republican nominee for governor.
Bramnick, 70, took to the stage and with “great humility” announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for many reasons — “first and foremost to bring back balanced public policies to Trenton.”
“In order to have balance we need two political parties in Trenton. Right now we have one,” Bramnick said, in a reference to Democrats' control of the governor's office and the state Legislature. “When I’m elected, Democrats will have to negotiate and compromise or I will take out my veto pen and politely return it to them for reconsideration.”
The senator, who lives in Westfield, is an attorney at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold and Mangan in Scotch Plains. He served on the City Council in Plainfield from 1984 to 1991.
He got his start in Trenton in 2003 as a member of the Assembly, where he served as Republican leader from 2012 until 2021, when he won the Senate seat he currently holds.
In addition to his public service, Bramnick is a comedian, doing standup at venues throughout the state.
Deemed the “funniest lawyer in New Jersey” by the state bar association, Bramnick began his legal career as a trial attorney in New York before founding his own firm in New Jersey in 1984.
Curtis Bashaw Announces US Senate Bid
South Jersey developer and businessman Curtis Bashaw announced Monday that he is seeking the seat currently held by indicted Sen. Bob Menendez.
“Too many New Jerseyans believe the American Dream is out of reach and that Washington isn’t working in their best interests. I’m running to bring freedom, security, and opportunity to all New Jersey families ― not just the political elite,” Bashaw said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on bringing people together, finding common-sense solutions, and helping communities reach their economic potential — and that’s exactly what I’ll do in the United States Senate.”
Bashaw, a Cape May resident and a native of Camden County, has worked in the real estate and hospitality industries and is perhaps best known for leading the historic restorations of Congress Hall and the Virginia Hotel in Cape May.
He has a history of work in public service as well. He was appointed by former Gov. Jim McGreevey to lead the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and later was named to the Richard Stockton State College board of trustees.
Bashaw was a founder of the Cape May County-Wide Recovery Initiative during the pandemic and worked with county government leaders and other business owners to design a blueprint for small businesses, restaurants and hotels to safely reopen and restart the region’s economy. He was also appointed to the state’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council.
State Sen. and Cumberland County GOP Chairman Mike Testa will serve as Bashaw’s campaign chair.
Bashaw will face Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner in the primary this June. There is also a battle on the Democratic side of the ballot as Rep. Andy Kim competes with first lady Tammy Murphy for the support of voters this spring.
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