GOVERNMENT
Mid-Term Races Heat Up : Focus on New District 7
Census results in new lines
By Diane C . Walsh Acting Editor
Across the state voters will be electing their congressional representatives next month for the first time since the 12 districts were redrawn .
Every 10 years the congressional map is revised based on the U . S . Census results . For some voters it means they will be casting their ballots in new districts with incumbents and challengers unfamiliar to them , said Micah Rasmussen , executive director of the Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University .
“ It ’ s a chance for voters in New Jersey to reflect on how they think their congressional delegation is doing and make adjustments ,” he said .
In a state already known as a Democratic stronghold , the redistricting added to the party ’ s strength , expanding its base in many districts . But Rasmussen said there was one clear exception – District 7 . The GOP got a 19,000- vote bump in this district where incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski faces a challenge from Republican Tom Kean Jr .
This year ’ s race is a rematch between Kean , a former state senator , and Malinowski , a former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy , Human Rights and Labor during the Obama administration .
When Republican Leonard Lance ’ s retirement left the seat open in 2020 , Malinowski narrowly
beat Kean by 5,300 votes with President Biden at the top of the ticket . Voter turnout was pegged at 72 percent that year . But mid-term elections , like this year ’ s races , do not usually draw many voters . During the last mid-terms when the U . S . Senate race was the top of the ticket , only 56 percent of New Jersey ’ s approximately 6 million voters cast ballots .
Rasmussen said the rematch between Malinowski and Kean was expected and it ’ s being closely watched . While a 19,000-vote swing is significant , the political analyst said it is not impossible to overcome . “ But it further complicates ( Malinowski ’ s ) path to re-election ,” he said .
In Rasmussen ’ s estimation , “ Kean has the wind at his back ” with an aggressive grassroots campaign . He said the Republican National Committee is “ throwing money into the race ” because it is seen as a highly competitive and could help tip the scales for a GOP majority in the House .
State GOP Chairman Bob Hugin said Kean , the son of former Gov . Tom Kean , is mounting a smart campaign . “ It ’ s incredibly exciting to see the maturity , growth and strength of his campaign . I could not be more pleased at what he is doing for himself and for his party ,” Hugin said .
Hugin , who was the unsuccessful candidate against U . S . Sen . Robert Menendez four years ago , well understands the Democrats ’ grasp over the state . But he emphasized that despite
his party ’ s loss in the gubernatorial race last year , Republicans won 134 local races .
“ We have a very energized base ,” the GOP chairman said . His Democrat counterpart , Leroy Jones is just as optimistic for his party ’ s prospects , however . He met with the leaders of the congressional campaigns early in September to coordinate their efforts .
“ I ’ m confident of strong results ,” Jones said , adding that the party is working with its partners in the labor unions and social activist organization to get out its message .
Last spring as President Biden ’ s favorable polling dropped and the bad economic news mounted , political commentators were expecting a giant wave of Republican voters that would return power to the GOP . Rasmussen said at least three of the incumbents Democrats among the 10 in the delegation were considered vulnerable . The tight races included District 5 in the northern reaches of the state where three-time Rep . Josh Gottheimer is challenged by Republican Frank Pallotta . Democrat Andy Kim , the incumbent in District 2 was also expected to face a tough challenge against Republican Bob Healey . Pundits predicted Rep . Mikie Sherrill , too , could be in an uphill battle against Republican Paul DeGroot for her second term in District 11 .
But Rasmussen said “ the environment changed quickly .” He contended the U . S .
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Micah Rasmussen Tom Malinowski Tom Kean Jr .
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