Today, the New Jersey Republican Party, joined by President Trump and the RNC, sued to force New Jerseyeans to choose between their health and their right to vote this November, said U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7). In his silence, Senate Minority leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-21), the highest ranking Republican elected official in the state, has made it clear he stands with his party and Trump over the people of New Jersey, Malinowski said.

Last week, he refused to condemn the President’s debunked conspiracy theories demonizing vote-by-mail. And even as Republican leaders oppose drastic cuts to USPS funding and policies changes that have caused rampant delays, Tom Kean has remained silent. It’s no surprise, Kean voted against expanding access to vote-by-mail as recently as last year, and has opposed voting rights his entire 20-year career in Trenton.

“Tom Kean Jr. is gambling with the lives of New Jersey voters to further his own political career,” said Malinowski for Congress Campaign Manager Daniel Fleiss. “Even in the middle of a global pandemic, the only person Kean looks out for is himself.”

“Whether by mail or in person, everyone should be able to cast their vote without risking their health,” said Malinowski, who on the state party’s breakfast zoom meeting earlier today held in concert with the Democratic National Convention boasted of racking big primary numbers on July 7th (80,334) compared to Kean (45,385). “Our state Republican Party has sided with Trump to make it harder and more dangerous for New Jerseyans to vote. It’s sad that my opponent lacks the courage to side with us.”

Malinowski called himself a leading advocate for securing a safe and fair election in November. In March, he said he led a letter with 57 of his colleagues to Congressional leadership urging them to prioritize the security of our nation’s election system in the next coronavirus relief package. He is a “staunch defender of the Postal Service,” he noted, “which will be integral to a vote-by-mail election, joining 174 of his colleagues in demanding explanations for changes to the Postal Service, as well as joining with Rep. Bill Pascrell in requesting Attorney General Gurbir Grewal investigate the sabotage of the postal service as election tampering.”