Tom Malinowski: After challenge from Kean, 'We've got to deliver' | Movers and Shakers

Rep. Tom Malinowski, the Hunterdon Democrat who survived a slim, 5,300-vote victory over Republican state Sen. Thomas H. Kean Jr. last month, didn't buy into the conventional wisdom that President Donald Trump's unpopularity would doom other New Jersey Republicans running with him.

"I spent several months trying to convince people that it was going to be close," Malinowski said in an interview last week. 

The conventional wisdom held that a wide swath of voters would punish Republicans as Trump enablers or oppose electing them to Congress to become Trump's rubber stamps in a second term.

But Malinowski said he wasn't just running against a garden variety Trumpster, but a candidate who "came from New Jersey political royalty whose family reminded people of what Republicans used to be."

Kean was also selected as a top priority "Young Guns" candidate by the National Republican Campaign Committee. He was the only New Jersey Republican congressional candidate to earn that designation.

The NRCC immediately put a bull's-eye on Malinowski, targeting him with a barrage of negative ads that falsely depicted him as a defender of a sex offender during his earlier career as a human rights lobbyist in Washington, D.C.

The 2018 "blue wave" that swept Malinowski and three other first-time New Jersey Democratic candidates — Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Rep. Andy Kim and Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who subsequently defected to Trump-land —  into office and created false expectations for 2020.

That midterm election gave voters — including independents and disgusted Republican moderates — their first chance to register their fury with Trump by voting for Democratic candidates. In the 7th District, Malinowski routed veteran incumbent Rep. Leonard Lance by 16,200 votes.

'Major win for New Jersey commuters':Portal Bridge funding plan goes to Congress for review

More Movers and Shakers:Frelinghuysen donates to NJ GOP campaigns from his war chest | Stile

This year, those same moderate Republicans and independents could register their displeasure with Trump by voting for the Democratic victor, President-elect Joe Biden. What was different, though, was that these voters then reverted to their pattern of partisan loyalty by voting for congressional Republican candidates on the ballot.

This ticket-splitting took place in suburban swing districts all over the country and is one reason House Democrats' 35-vote margin shrunk to 10.

"So, I wasn't surprised when it was close,'' Malinowski said.

The 7th Congressional District encompasses all of Hunterdon County, and parts of Somerset, Union, Morris and Warren counties and Millburn in Essex County.

The former Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights during the administration of former President Barack Obama, Malinowski says he's not about to embrace the conventional wisdom looming for 2022. That midterm is likely to be a referendum on Biden's first two years in office. In most midterm elections, the sitting president's political party loses ground. 

In Malinowski's early forecast, the environment might be more favorable for Democrats in 2022 if the nation pulls out of the pandemic and the nightmare of the Trump presidency.

 "You know, we're gonna be recovering from Trump, and recovering from a terrible economic downturn,'' he said.

Story continues below gallery.

There is also the possibility of a rematch with Kean in 2022. Kean is taking time to mull the possibility over the holidays and announce his decision early next year.

"Obviously, we've got to deliver,'" Malinowski said. "And my job isn't to predict what happens in 2022. It's to try to deliver with a new administration so that we can earn reelection."

Malinowski said he hasn't decided on whether to support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for another term as House speaker when Congress reorganizes next month.

I keep my cards close to the vest,'' he said about the decision, but noted that he wants to "make sure" that Pelosi will help him deliver on New Jersey priorities, like the stalled Gateway tunnel and bridge project.

"She gave us the support that I asked her for in the last Congress.''  He added, "I don't see an alternative candidate out there."

Charles Stile is a veteran political columnist. For unlimited access to his unique insights into New Jersey’s political power structure and his powerful watchdog work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: stile@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @politicalstile