MORRIS TOWNSHIP - If you've been in state office for more than 20 years, you have the right to give advice.

That's what Jon Bramnick did Monday evening as township Republicans rallied in nearby Morristown to hype their three-person slate for the township committee.

It's not always about issues alone, Bramnick said, a bit sagely.

It's more than that. He said voters have to know who you are, about your family and what you do.

"They want to see your heart," he said as local Republicans gathered to support the team of John Biehl, George Talarico and Joscelin Grizzetti.

Bramnick joined the state Assembly in 2003 and has been in the Senate since 2022. His Union County District (the 21st) leans Democratic registration wise, so it's probably meaningful to listen to him. He has shown an ability to win in a tough district.

Morris Township, which surrounds Morristown, has become a tough district for Republicans.

Once solidly Republican, Democrats now hold all five committee seats.

Changing demographics may be one reason, but another is a Republican Party that has morphed into the party of Donald Trump. That's a far cry from the days of Thomas Kean Sr. and Christie Whitman, who were more in sync with the culture of Morris County Republicans.

At any rate, three of the five township committee seats are up this year, so that gives the GOP a chance - at least on paper - to regain control.

Hence, the rallying cry of the night was to "take back" the township.

Talarico, who ran unsuccessfully for the committee last year, condemned one-party rule, which he said leads to no debate, no transparency and backroom deals.

This is a predictable lament by the party out of control, but that in itself does not make the argument totally false.

Specifically, the Republicans criticized a recent committee endorsement of an affordable housing plan that could mean construction of about 938 units. That was done at a meeting earlier this month that lasted nearly six hours.

Many towns struggle with state housing mandates with opponents decrying the loss of open space and the strain new construction imposes on schools and other township services.

Talarico said he expected the Dems to try to "nationalize" the municipal election, suggesting it's incumbent on GOP candidates to keep the focus on local issues.

And the three-person slate is getting a lot of help from Republicans "up the ladder" so to speak.

Sheriff James Gannon was the master of ceremonies. Joe Hathaway, the party's CD-11 candidate, dropped by.

Two county commissioners - Tayfun Selen and Tom Mastrangelo - also spoke.

Both acknowledged that the county has become more politically competitive. Three GOP commissioners won reelection last fall, but the margin was close.

"Anything we can do to help, we're here," Mastrangelo told the candidates.