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Johnny Bravo
Johnny Bravo (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent District 8. Bravo lost in the Democratic primary on June 4, 2019.
Bravo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2019
General election
General election for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 (2 seats)
Jean Stanfield and incumbent Ryan Peters defeated Gina LaPlaca, Mark Natale, and Tom Giangiulio Jr. in the general election for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jean Stanfield (R) | 25.4 | 25,050 |
| ✔ |  | Ryan Peters (R)  | 25.2 | 24,906 |
 | Gina LaPlaca (D) | 24.2 | 23,895 | |
| Mark Natale (D) | 23.4 | 23,092 | ||
| Tom Giangiulio Jr. (Maga Conservative Party) | 1.8 | 1,777 | ||
| Total votes: 98,720 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 (2 seats)
Gina LaPlaca and Mark Natale defeated Johnny Bravo in the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 on June 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gina LaPlaca | 46.4 | 5,410 |
| ✔ | Mark Natale | 44.3 | 5,157 | |
 | Johnny Bravo | 9.3 | 1,084 | |
| Total votes: 11,651 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 (2 seats)
Jean Stanfield and incumbent Ryan Peters defeated incumbent Joe Howarth and R. Jason Huf in the Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 8 on June 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jean Stanfield | 35.0 | 5,435 |
| ✔ | | Ryan Peters | 34.5 | 5,360 |
 | Joe Howarth | 17.7 | 2,744 | |
| R. Jason Huf | 12.8 | 1,980 | ||
| Total votes: 15,519 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Johnny Bravo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bravo's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Top three priorities if elected would be: 1. Review spending priorities. 2. Vote against marijuana legalization. 3. Form caucus of legislators who are like-minded with regard to important issues.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am most passionate about the rampant factionalism that has overtaken our political system and our society as well. It is an issue that was present at the very inception of our nation. Over the years it has divided our state and nation. Only when such a condition was suppressed has society benefited. I intend to try to overcome these tendencies with reason and accommodation to benefit the citizens.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
There are so many historical people I could cite as an example of my ideal. Of course, each has personal flaws. But considering the best characteristics, I would hold Franklin Roosevelt, and Eisenhower among my ideals.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The one film that might be a template for my interest and desire for the position is "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", starring Jimmy Stewart. It's an old film but it characterizes a person willing to challenge the entrenched politicians even at great odds to himself personally.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important characteristic of a candidate is personal integrity and a willingness to serve constituents without bias for the benefit of the electorate.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have a long history of leadership and working with Communities to solve difficult and divisive issues. I intend to continue with my proven skills to unite factions within the legislature to accomplish positive actions that will ultimately benefit our citizens.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility of any representative is personal integrity and a willingness to serve with honor. Along with that he must utilize logic and reason to justify his position without resorting to political bias.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Too soon to think about legacy.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first (sort-of) historical event that made a deep impression on me happened in 1956. Watching the opening of the Democratic Convention on TV when I was 12 years old. I heard Sam Rayburn, the Speaker of the House say in his opening remarks, "After four years of golfing and goofing....". He was referring to Eisenhower. I was appalled! How can it be that a political leader would talk of the President of the United States in such a manner?
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was as a tutor for a kid who had never been in school. I was 13 years old. I tutored him one hour once a week at his home for about a year. I got paid a dollar an hour. By the time we stopped a year later, he was reading at a fourth grade level and learned the multiplication tables, and was starting long division.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I never really dated until college.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
No favorite holiday, but Christmas at my Grandparent's house when I was a kid was always special.
What is your favorite book? Why?
My two very special books were, "The Charge of the Light Brigade", and "Wuthering Heights".
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Never really had any interest in being any fictional character.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite object by far in my home is my piano. I got my first piano a year after my marriage at age 26, took a few lessons, and practiced for years. It has been one of my greatest delights.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The last song that stuck in my head was, and I can't remember the title, but it began, "Put your sweet lips next to mine dear on the phone..."
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Never really thought of anything as a struggle. Things I do are just interesting, fun, tough, difficult, challenging, and eventually rewarding in some fashion.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The most important difference in the legislative bodies of the state is the level of power and influence.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I do not believe that previous political experience is a measure of success. Some of our worst presidents had a long and successful history (Buchanan). And one of our best was a one-term congressman and failed senatotial candidate (Lincoln)
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Can't rate challenges. All are unique.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Regarding the two branches, I believe they should not have too cozy a relationship.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
I absolutely believe that there should be a harmonious relationship between the parties. Factionalism divides our society and hampers progress.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
For redistricting I favor a process that represents a similar makeup in each district.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I have not decided on any particular committee.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Not interested in any particular leadership role.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Do not have any previous legislator model.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Not interested in other positions.?
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Personal stories from individuals have been interesting only in the respect that they are personal. And in that respect I find them endearing, and feel a personal connection to them on a personal level.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
