Malinowski Name Circulates in the 2024 Senate Parlor Room
A few Democratic Party members in Central Jersey – unnamed, but no less adamant apparently in backroom conversation – like the idea of former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7) riding in like Don Quixote to save the party.
U.S. Rep. Tom Kean (R-7) defeated Malinowski in 2022.
Now, Malinowski’s allies see him as viable in a statewide context as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) digs in amid howls for him to leave.
The Malinowski sources are trying to spin the fact that he doesn’t occupy a congressional seat right now as an advantage.
New Jersey wouldn’t have to sweat the potential for a congressional seat loss, as it might by submitting U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill, or Andy Kim to the senate altar.
Each would abandon a reelection run in order to take a senate shot. That is unless he or she installs a spouse in the seat to keep it warm in case of a crawl-back, as U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews did years ago after unsuccessfully challenging the late U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.
In this case – Keep all the seats, plus empower an unfettered Malinowski.
Notwithstanding cries of redistricting unfairness from Malinowski’s backers, their argument seems to somehow lack basic political coherence, which presumes (maybe not in Jersey, granted) success before advancement, not failure.
Such a paradigm doesn’t seem to hamper anyone else on the murky landscape here, the case makers for the former congressman seem to imply.
How deep are the conversations?
Phone calls.
Ears nibbled.
Laughs exchanged.
Kim actually getting out in front with a proper announcement – just pulling the trigger on a run – may have short-circuited a Malinowski comeback, though, or maybe the argument in and of itself – aided internally perhaps by Kean hypocritically trying to serve – simply doesn’t resound with any real force.
Bottom line: a former congressman doesn’t jump to the front of the pack, say those pushing back on Malinowski’s name arising within the parlor room of New Jersey politics.
Remind me. How many times did Tom Kean Jr fail before finally succeeding?
He didn’t win CD-7 until the district was carved up in order to favor Republicans.
I would love to see Tom Malinowski run for the Senate. I believe he could win.
It is no exaggeration to say that the 2024 election in the United States will be a pivotal point in the current domestic and global battle of democracy versus autocracy. For New Jersey, there is no more important decision than Democrats choosing the best candidate to run for the US Senate seat now held by Robert Menendez.
This best candidate for US Senate in 2024 is Tom Malinowski:
o Malinowski has the personal, academic, and professional experience to effectively address democracy versus autocracy challenges posed both domestically and on the world stage.
o During his tenure as Congressman from NJ CD7, Malinowski has proven himself a key player in developing and passing in the House the stunning legislative achievements of the first two years of the Biden administration. Malinowski’s ability to successfully coordinate legislation and votes across an extremely difficult aisle was critical to these successes.
o Malinowski has an extensive network of thoughtful, knowledgeable, and totally devoted supporters who are well organized and ready to hit the ground running on his behalf.
My ardent hope is that the Democratic establishment will:
o Understand that this is no ordinary election – no trivial opportunity for party politics or personal favors;
o Recognize that Tom Malinowski is the leader that we need to meet the existential threats of our time;
o Commit to providing the financial support that Malinowski will need to compete with well-funded, right wing extremists.
Failure to meet the existential threats of our time will not end well – for anyone, whether they realize it or not. The time is now for NJ Democrats to get serious about the future of our state, our nation, our world.
Thank you for sharing these excellent points about why former Congressman Tom Malinowski would be the best person to be appointed to the Senate to replace Menendez.