Bramnick and Munoz Start New Terms

Local members of the State Assembly are scheduled to start new terms of office today as the State Legislature reconvenes.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) will take the oath for his fourth full term in office. He also served an appointed term of under a year in 2003. Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) will take the oath for her first term in her own right. Munoz was appointed last April to fill the seat vacated by the death of her husband, Eric.

The new legislative session will also usher in a change of status for Bramnick. He will officially assume the role of Republican conference leader, the second highest post in the Assembly minority conference. He previously held the number three post of minority whip. Bramnick has also indicated that if Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris County) steps down to join Gov.-Elect Chris Christie cabinet, he is interested in moving up to the minority leader's post.

Munoz is also looking to make a move of her own in the new session. Since taking office, she has also filled her late husband's seats on the human services committee and the health and senior services committee. While expressing an interest in retaining her seat on the health panel, Munoz is also interested in taking up a seat on the military and veterans affairs committee.

Bramnick and Munoz will enter the term looking at a new face atop the Assembly. Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-Essex County) will be officially elected speaker today, becoming the first African American woman assembly speaker in state history and second in U.S. history. Oliver takes over from former Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden County) who did not seek reelection last year.

On the Senate side of the Statehouse, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) will start the second half of his four year term and continue as the chamber's top Republican. While he considered a bid for senate president, Kean will not be contesting the post today. Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester County) will be taking over the president's post today after ousting Sen. Dick Codey (D-Essex County) from the top spot. Codey has led the Senate since 2002 and will retain his Senate seat until his term expires in 2012.

Bramnick, Munoz and Kean were recently spotted in Springfield at the township's reorganization meeting.