Whom is Steven Rodgers Really Representing? 

Independent Conservative Assembly Candidates Marks and Pappas Call Out Self-described Trump Advocate 

District 21 Independent Conservatives Assembly candidates Martin Marks of Cranford and Harris Pappas of Springfield today questioned the loyalties of self-described Trump NJ grass roots advocate Steven Rodgers with his seemingly about face endorsement of Assemblyman Jon Bramnick Tuesday.  Bramnick has been notorious for bashing the sitting Republican President in the hope of shoring up Democrat and Independent votes as he looks toward a New Jersey Gubernatorial run in 2021. 

In a quote from the on-line political blog New Jersey Globe Tuesday, editor David Wildstein stated, “Last November Rodgers cautioned Bramnick, ‘he will never win Dem or Independent votes by appeasing them via bashing Trump. In fact he is losing GOP grass roots support because of his rhetoric.’”   

“The motivation behind this blatant flip flop is suspect at best,” Marks stated.  “Further and perhaps more egregious, Steve Rodgers was present at an April 30 meeting at Union County GOP headquarters along with NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt, NJGOP Executive Director Theresa Winegar, Bramnick and his running mate Nancy Munoz, GOP National committeeman William Palatucci, Union County Republican Chairman Glenn Mortimer and State Senator Tom Kean, Jr. where they all attempted to cajole Harry and me out of the race.  All that would have been necessary for us to bow out would have been a public statement from Bramnick and Munoz endorsing the entire GOP ticket in this November’s General Election and supporting the entire GOP ticket headed by President Trump in 2020.  Everyone in that room including Rodgers cautioned against Bramnick and Munoz publicly supporting the President.  How is it possible that someone ostensibly representing the President in New Jersey would advise against a Republican leader like Bramnick publicly supporting our Republican President?  This simply does not pass the smell test,” Marks continued. 

Pappas added, “In his rather transparent endorsement statement to the press Rodgers said about Bramnick “……who in my view may be New Jersey’s last best hope for our great state to recover from the tragic story that has been written by Governor Murphy and the Democratic Party.”   My question to Steven Rodgers is are you in New Jersey to support and work on behalf of President Trump, are you working for Jon Bramnick in a possible Gubernatorial run, or maybe you’re just working for yourself?  It seems to me that Rodgers is covering all bases with his feet firmly planted on both sides of the street.” 

Pappas continued, “The voters of New Jersey here in the 21st district and across the state should now research everything Steven Rodgers puts on the record as a purported advocate for President Trump. The New Jersey media should carefully scrutinize whatever he says.”