Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac Announces Run for Governor
Kranjac joins an already crowded Republican field for NJ's top executive
It has been an incredibly busy day in NJ politics. First Gold Bar Bob is sentenced to prison and now a new candidate joins the governor’s race!
Mario Kranjac, the former mayor of Englewood Cliffs (Bergen County) has announced his run for Governor of the Garden State. A successful attorney and businessman, Kranjac is the founding partner of Kranjac, Tripodi & Partners LLP, and co-founded Dynamk Capital, a venture capital firm, in 2016.
Kranjac’s time as mayor was successful as he brought many corporate businesses to town, including LG and NBCUniversal. However, in 2020, it was reported that he billed a teen $2,500 for holding a BLM rally in town. Kranjac later rescinded the bill after facing backlash.
Kranjac first eyed a run for Governor in the summer of last year but never formed an exploratory committee. Trump loyalist Mike Crispi did form an exploratory committee a few months back. Things were very quiet until tonight when the Chairman of America First Republicans of NJ announced on X that he would not make a gubernatorial run but said that his exploratory committee has found “the candidate.” Although Crispi never mentioned Kranjac by name, it is clear as day that Crispi and AFRNJ will be backing Kranjac’s gubernatorial bid. Crispi’s has been vehemently anti-Bill Spadea. So Kranjac’s run for the top office in NJ will be taking away votes from Spadea.
Kranjac has numerous connections at the federal level. He is close with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and American Legislative Exchange Council CEO Lisa Nelson.
Kranjac now joins a Republican field with numerous top contenders, including 2021 Republican Nominee Jack Ciattarelli, 101.5 Radio Host Bill Spadea, and Senator Jon Bramnick.
It is unclear how Kranjac will fare in the primary considering he is just jumping in. However, a win in the primary would be an incredible feat. Kranjac will be vowing to win the MAGA vote, which Ciattarelli, Spadea, and Durr are all trying to court; making this primary even MORE interesting.
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