Tom Malinowski Will Run For Re-Election In 2022 For 7th Congressional District Seat

DISTRICT 7 — Democrat Tom Malinowski announced he will be running for re-election for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District seat in a very short seven-word statement Monday.

"'Once more unto the breach, dear friends...'" said Malinowski quoting King Henry V in Shakespeare’s "Henry V".

If re-elected this would be Malinowski's third term in the seat. He previously faced Republican state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. in a very close race in 2020. Read More: Kean Concedes 7th Congressional District Race Against Malinowski

Kean also declared he will face off again against Malinowski in 2022 along with John Isemann, 27, of Long Valley, who has also thrown his hat into the ring.

Isemann said he sees what's happening around the country in terms of polarization of politics, with his Millennial generation voting "five times for left than right," where he especially sees the impact on New Jersey. Read More: Long Valley Resident Puts Hat In The Ring For Malinowski's Seat

During his tenure, Malinowski recently came under fire after the Associated Press released a scathing article accusing him of using inside information to profit during the coronavirus pandemic.

"The charge that Congressman Malinowski abused his office is categorically false," according to a statement released by Malinowski's Office. Read More: Profiting From The Pandemic? Malinowski Faces Accusations

The House Ethics Committee has not yet determined if Malinowski conducted any wrongdoings and his office disputed the claims.

"Tom Malinowski is going to deny, deflect and play dumb every step of the way to cling on to this seat. Here are the facts; Tom Malinowski chose to break the law, chose to hide his pandemic stock trades, chose to rubber stamp 100 percent of Joe Biden's agenda and there is nothing he can do to hide from it," said Dan Scharfenberger, a Kean campaign manager.

The New Jersey Republican Party (NJGOP) also pointed to these allegations when commenting on Malinowski's decision to seek re-election.

"For all of Tom’s insider trading skills, it’s a shame that he hasn’t been able to score New Jerseyans a better deal under the inept Biden agenda during his thoroughly unremarkable tenure in Congress. While Tom skirted ethics rules to enrich himself, he stuck New Jersey families with inflated prices at the pump and grocery store. New Jersey families deserve better than Tom Malinowski," said Alex Wilkes, NJGOP Communications Director.

This election will differ from previous years as New Jersey's congressional map recently shifted last month. The Redistricting Commission adopted the Democrats' proposed congressional map for 2022-2031.

District 7 now represents all of Hunterdon and Warren counties along with parts of Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union Counties. The new map can be seen here.

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