It was a heartbreaker of a race in a disappointing Election 2023 for New Jersey Republicans.
Now Brandon Umba is hoping to reclaim his former South Jersey Assembly seat in the 8th Legislative District (Burlington County). This week, the millennial parent, husband, and Southampton town administrator formally announced his plans to seek a new term in Trenton on Facebook.
“After some time away from politics, and with the love and support of my Wife and Son, I am happy to announce my Kick Off event to retake the 8th District Assembly Seat,” Umba posted on Wednesday night. “I could not be prouder to have the support of my Party Chairmen, my running mates Senator Tiver and Assemblyman Torrissi, the GOP Assembly Leadership, and All GOP Assembly Members from South Jersey.”
The ex-Assemblyman also shared an invitation for an October 21st fundraiser at Kings Road Brewery in Medford, his home base, with most of the state Assembly leadership, Atlantic Chairman Don Purdy and Burlington Chairman Sean Earlen on the host list.
Umba finished fourth in 2023, a year which saw the GOP lose Assembly seats despite high hopes of gains especially in South Jersey. Democrat Andrea Katz bested Umba and finished second by 252 votes.
At the moment, LD8 is the only mixed party district in the state with a Republican Senator (Latham Tiver) and Assemblyman (Mike Torrissi) serving alongside Katz.
The entire Assembly is on the ballot in 2025 along with the governorship, but the State Senate isn’t up again until 2027.
