New Jersey Legislative
Apportionment Commission

Jon M. Bramnick

Republican | Assembly Republican Leader

An Assemblyman since 2004, Bramnick is recognized for his ability to bring people together and was unanimously elected by his colleagues in 2012 to serve as the Assembly minority conference leader – the highest leadership position in the Republican caucus. In his time as leader, he has worked successfully to pass billions of dollars in tax cuts including the elimination of the “death tax,” taxes on pension and retirement income for seniors, and tax credits for the working poor and veterans.

Bramnick earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1975 from Syracuse University and a law degree from Hofstra University Law School in 1978. He opened his own law firm in 1984 and specializes as a civil trial attorney. Previously, he served as a Plainfield councilman from 1984 to 1991.

Cosmo Cirillo

Democrat

Dr. Cosmo A. Cirillo, a life-long resident of West New York, Hudson County, was sworn in to fill an unexpired term on the West New York Board of Commissioners on February 4, 2015. He was elected to a full term on May 12, 2015 and re-elected on May 14, 2019. His connection to West New York began when his grandparents immigrated with his father to the United States from Italy in 1972 and chose to call West New York their home.

At the age of 16, Dr. Cirillo began interning for the Town of West New York and continued his employment throughout his college career. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Seton Hall University and his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Caldwell University.

Linda A. DuBois

Republican

Linda A. DuBois is the Salem County Republican Chairwoman and previously served on the Pittsgrove Township Committee for 27 years including five years as Mayor. From 1990 to 2017, she was a Health & Physical Education teacher for Pittsgrove Township School District, and since 1989, has served as the Swim & Dive Coach for Arthur P. Schalick High School.

Linda graduated Trenton State College in 1974 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Health & Physical Education. She remains a certified NJ High School Swim Official and continues to serve as the Site Director for The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) State Team Championships held at The College of New Jersey.

Thomas H. Kean, Jr.

Republican | Senate Republican Leader

Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr. represents District 21, which includes 16 towns in Morris, Somerset, and Union counties. He was re-elected Senate Minority Leader by his peers for the 2020-2021 Legislative Session. He has served as Leader since 2008. The senator sits on the Senate Higher Education, the Legislative Oversight Committee, and the Select Committee on New Jersey Transit. He is the Senate appointee to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Israel Commission, the Legislative Services Commission, and the New Jersey Amistad Commission. Prior to being named to the upper house of the State Legislature in January 2003 to fill a vacancy, Senator Kean was serving his second term in the State Assembly, where he had been Chairman of the Assembly Republican Policy Committee. Senator Kean was nominated and selected for the inaugural class of the Rodel Fellowship program by The Aspen Institute, and was named one of only 40 state leaders from the entire nation to be recognized as a Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments for high achievement and service to state government.

Michael B. Lavery

Republican

Michael B. Lavery is the founding partner of Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis and Cohen and the director of the firm's Municipal Government Practice.

Mr. Lavery is the former State Chairman for the New Jersey Republican Party and previously served as General Counsel to the NJGOP from November 2017 - 2020. He was the Mayor of Hackettstown for two terms from 2005-2011. He has also served as Republican State Committeeman for Warren County and as Legislative Aide to then-Senator Leonard Lance (R-23), who formerly served as Congressman for the 7th District.

Laura Matos

Democrat

Laura Matos is a seasoned Democratic political strategist with an extensive career in political campaigns, government, and public affairs.

Laura is a Managing Director and the General Manager of Kivvit’s New Jersey office. She works across multiple client teams firmwide, specializing in labor, coalition management and higher education. She maintains an in-depth understanding of government processes and their intersections with the private sector, along with the workings of campaigns and managing large-scale coalitions.

Prior to joining Kivvit, Laura served on staff with three New Jersey governors in positions ranging from deputy director of scheduling to director of operations. While serving in state government, she was responsible for coordinating and overseeing a vast array of public policies across all state departments. Laura also served as director of business development and communications at a top New Jersey law firm.

Gary Taffet

Democrat

Gary Taffet is a healthcare executive with one of the nation’s largest private insurance consulting and brokerage firms in the nation. He has previously served as a Governor’s Chief of Staff, while also having prior professional experience as a municipal Chief of Staff and earlier as Policy Associate for the New Jersey General Assembly.

Mr. Taffet currently serves as Trustee & Treasurer to Middlesex College, as a member of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Trustees, and is a member of the North Hudson Community Action Foundation Board.

Diane T. Testa

Democrat

Diane T. Testa, received her Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University and received her Juris Doctorate from University of Bridgeport School of Law. Ms. Testa was a 3 term councilwoman in the Borough of Fairview, serving as Chairperson of Personal and Finance Committee. She is currently serving as the Borough Administrator/Borough Clerk in Fairview. She is also a partner in the law firm of Testa & DeCarlo, located in Ridgefield, New Jersey. Ms. Testa is a trustee on the Fairview Board of Education since 2013 and a Commissioner on the Bergen County Utilities Authority. Ms. Testa is married to Albert Birchwale and has a daughter, Jennifer.

Philip S. Carchman

11th Member

Judge Carchman began his judicial career in 1973 when he was appointed to the part-time position of Municipal Court judge of Princeton Township and Princeton Borough. In 1981, Governor Brendan T. Byrne appointed him to the office of Mercer County Prosecutor, and he served in that position until 1986 when Governor Thomas Kean appointed Judge Carchman to the Superior Court of New Jersey. He was reappointed by Governor James Florio in 1993. During his judicial career, he served as Presiding Judge of the Civil, Family and General Equity Divisions.