The election in CD-7 hadn’t officially been called this morning, but in some ways it was “called” last December.

That’s when Democrats – yes, Democrats – pushed through a new redistricting map that transformed the district from leaning a bit “blue” to leaning a bit “red.”

Tom Malinowski had that in mind when he addressed supporters late Tuesday night in Garwood.

“There is no question that we would be winning hands down in the original district,” he said.

The original district included strong Democratic towns like Millburn in Essex and Dover in Morris. They moved elsewhere and Malinowski picked up more of deep red Sussex and Warren counties.

That was too much to overcome.

Tom Kean Jr. is ahead by 14,000 votes. There are still votes to be counted, but not enough to give Malinowski a realistic path to victory. The incumbent conceded earlier today.

Malinowski won Union County by about 13,000 and essentially tied Kean in Somerset. But in the district’s four other counties – Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Warren, he lost by at least 10 points in each one.

As Tuesday night moved into Wednesday morning, Malinowski bravely talked about where his campaign came from.

“You know, this campaign was written off a year ago,” he said.

Was he referencing the press or party leaders? The guess here is the latter.

The congressman said the campaign was still standing – officially, that is – late on Election Night because of hundreds of volunteers. And looking to a House presumably to be run by Republicans, Malinowski said no matter what they do, they will be unable to nullify Democratic achievements in regard to lowering drug prices, supporting the nation’s microchip industry, funding the Gateway Tunnel and preserving the Affordable Care Act.

And if they try, he said Joe Biden will get out his veto pen.

The contrasts in how Kean and Malinowski campaigned were almost legendary.

In short, Malinowski was accessible; Kean was not.

The congressman said he took pride in doing it the “right way,”  rather than “hiding” from the press and general public.

Malinowski is a cerebral sort. It was fitting that he wrapped things up with some philosophy.

Democracy is not easy, he said.

“You need patience. You need staying power. You have to understand there will be temporary setbacks.”
Kean just a few minutes ago posted a note on his Facebook page thanking Malinowski for his “years of public service and for his vigorous campaign.” He added that the election has given him “an opportunity to change the course of history.” And Kean pledged to serve with integrity and always be willing to listen to and learn from his constituents.

Reflecting again on redistricting, Dem party leaders apparently were content with a congressional map reading 9-3 in their favor, and that’s what they are going to get.

So, to that end, their plan worked, as cynical as it was.

None of the other districts in the state were competitive.

Republicans were excited about a massive “red wave” putting the careers of Andy Kim. Josh Gottheimer and even Frank Pallone in jeopardy.

None of that happened. Unofficially, Pallone won by 15 points, Kim by 11 and Gottheimer by 9.

And in CD-11, Mikie Sherrill won by 17 points; she carried once reliably-Republican Morris County by almost 6,000 votes. This was the third time she’s won Morris.

Republican Paul DeGroot filed a defamation suit against Sherrill a few days before the election, alleging she was running misleading campaign ads.

Passions must have been still high at the state GOP’s election night gathering.

It was reported by Politico that Bob Hugin, the state Republican chair, called Sherrill a “piece of s… congresswoman.”

Full disclosure: Hugin, like me, grew up in Union City, where one quickly picked up such verbiage playing stickball, touch football and the like.

But this probably wasn’t the place for it.

Jackie Burns, Sherrill’s campaign manager, went to Twitter to advise Hugin to “stay classy.”