Bramnick Will Not Take On Booker For U.S. Senate

State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick will not run for a U.S. Senate seat this year, officials said Friday.

Bramnick, R-21, had been tossing around the idea of taking on newly minted U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., in the November election. But his office today said the Plainfield native has decided to stay out of the national political fray.

"I have decided to remain focused on my role as Assembly Republican Leader,’’ Bramnick said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Christie and the dedicated members of the Assembly Republican caucus to advocate for the hardworking taxpayers of our state."

Booker handily won a special election in October over conservative Republican Steve Lonegan to fill the vacant seat left by the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Lautenberg’s term ends in December, and Booker is expected to run for election to a full, six-year term.

New Jersey voters have not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in more than 40 years.