Who can revitalize the New Jersey GOP?

[LabourJersey]

While I can't give absolutes, I don't see how the NJ Republicans can run away from Christie enough to win the governor's race, or even to come that close. Christie is unbelievably toxic, so much that I know a few Trump supporters/ Trump leaners who hated Christie--partially even because he kissed up to Trump so pathetically!

Also the Democrats are a lot stronger than one suggests. Even in 2013, Christie won a massive landslide but the Republicans did not gain a single seat in either house of the legislature!

But I think if Murphy (or Wisniewski) has a bad term than it's anyone's game in 2021. And no republican is going to win a Senate seat in the near future

[LabourJersey]

Most of the success NJ Republicans have had have been over tax and spending issues, but tax issues in particular.  If a viable GOP candidate promised to keep Christie's tax cuts, war on public employees, etc, while acknowledging the unsavory side of Christie and promising it will not happen again, there may be a chance.

The other issue for the GOP is that Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez is under indictment.  Menendez is up for reelection in 2018.  Perhaps Christie has hope for running for that seat.

However, Christie's war on public employees is exactly what a lot of people find unsavory! Many conservatives I know who dislike the current pension system for public employees really dislike Christie's combativeness. You can oppose the current level of pensions, but Christie has humiliated teachers and students who disagree with him at town hall meetings.

In addition I think the possibility of a pickup in 2018 is very slim. Menendez will in all likelihood be forced out in a primary by a Democrat without much ties to the establishment (maybe Rush Holt) or someone like Pallone who's wanted the job for ages. Also I don't think the GOP can pull off a Senate win in this political climate.

[LabourJersey]

Tom Kean Jr., Runyan, or Garrett.

Garrett could never win a statewide election. He might run for his old seat again, but he annoyed a lot of NJ Republicans and the national GOP this year, so I doubt they would want that. His blanket homophobia is close to toxic in a good portion of NJ (and a good portion of the 5th district).

Runyan could probably do well, but I haven't read anything of his future plans. I've met Tom Kean Jr. and he seems okay but pretty overrated. A lot of the old hype about him was because of his father, who left office long before many young voters now were born.

I personally think that Jon Bramnick is a much better politician and would be a much more effective candidate for the GOP in 2017 or 2021.