New Jersey GOP Elects Bramnick New Majority Leader

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Republicans have elected a new leader in the New Jersey Assembly.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick of Westfield succeeds Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, who collapsed and died at the statehouse in Trenton following a marathon session last week. Police say his death was heart-related.

DeCroce joined the State Assembly in 1989 and had been the Republican minority leader since 2003.

"We've had difficult times in this chamber, but perhaps none more difficult than today," Bramnick said the day after DeCroce's death.

Bramnick, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2003, has served as the GOP conference leader since 2009, and as the minority whip before that.

Assemblyman Dave Rible of Wall Township was elevated to conference leader.

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