Politics & Government

Somerset County Dems Will Stand With Malinowski Amid Accusations

Democrats say the accusations that Malinowski was profiting from the pandemic made by Republicans are a way to "mislead the public."

Tom Malinowski, House Foreign Affairs Committee Member walks down the spiral staircase in the basement of the U.S. Capitol in 2019 in Washington, DC.
Tom Malinowski, House Foreign Affairs Committee Member walks down the spiral staircase in the basement of the U.S. Capitol in 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Liz Lynch/Getty Images)

SOMERVILLE, NJ — The Somerset County Democratic Committee said they will be standing in support of Congressman Tom Malinowski after an Associated Press article highlighted accusations that he profited during the coronavirus pandemic.

"To be clear, we are standing with Tom Malinowski and fighting to preserve every Democratic seat in New Jersey," the SCDC stated in a letter Tuesday.

The Committee claims that "President Obama's ethics czar looked at the facts and concluded that Malinowski did nothing wrong and is now going above the law to be transparent with the public."

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Additionally, the SCDC says the "Republican attacks on Congressman Malinowski are an attempt to mislead the public because they can't win on the issues, or without redistricting."

The article published last Friday says that Malinowski has purchased or sold as much as $1 million of stock in medical and tech companies that had a stake in the virus response — such as companies that were developing COVID-19 testing, or therapeutics to combat illnesses caused by the disease, according to the Associated Press.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Additionally, the article accuses Malinowski of not properly disclosing as much as $3.2 million in trades as required by Stock Act, a 2012 law intended to curtail congressional stock trading.

See below to read the SCDC's full letter:

"The idea that we would be willing to give away Congressman Malinowski’s seat for 10 years is categorically absurd. President Obama’s ethics czar looked at the facts and concluded that Malinowski did nothing wrong and is now going above the law to be transparent with the public.

To be clear, we are standing with Tom Malinowski and fighting to preserve every Democratic seat in New Jersey.

As the Democratic leadership of the 7th Congressional district, we have no intention of relinquishing this seat to any Republican, let alone Tom Kean Jr. who not only holds pharmaceutical company stock but is dependent on their contributions and votes their interests.

Republican attacks on Congressman Malinowski are an attempt to mislead the public because they can't win on the issues, or without redistricting.

We will not allow Republicans to pick up seats in New Jersey and doom every meaningful change Congressman Malinowski and the Democrats have been fighting for; healthcare, campaign finance reform and critical infrastructure. The stakes are too high."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.