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Former Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski announced Thursday his bid to return to Congress, seeking the soon-to-be vacant seat in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. The seat will open when Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who decisively won Tuesday’s gubernatorial election in New Jersey, is inaugurated as governor on January 20, 2026.
“I’m running to deliver again what New Jerseyans need — better and lower cost health care, housing, and transportation — and to take on Trump’s corruption, abuse of power, and attacks on democracy. I will be ready for the fight from day one,” Malinowski declared in his campaign launch video.
The former congressman specifically targeted President Donald Trump’s economic policies in his announcement, stating, “I’m running for Congress again to pick up where my friend left off, to repeal these mindless tariffs that are raising prices for every New Jerseyan.”
Malinowski brings significant political experience to the race. He previously served two terms in Congress representing New Jersey’s 7th District, having first flipped the seat from Republican control in 2018 when he defeated incumbent GOP Rep. Leonard Lance. He narrowly won reelection in 2020 against New Jersey Senate Republican leader Thomas Kean Jr. before losing a rematch to Kean by nearly two points in 2022.
Beyond his congressional experience, Malinowski’s resume includes service as a diplomat and State Department official during President Barack Obama’s administration, giving him substantial foreign policy credentials.
The 11th District, located in northern New Jersey, has evolved from a swing district to a more reliably Democratic seat in recent years. Sherrill first flipped the district in 2018 and won reelection by 6 points in 2020 before securing more comfortable double-digit victories in 2022 and 2024. This trend suggests favorable conditions for Democratic candidates, though special elections typically feature lower turnout and can produce unexpected results.
Malinowski enters a growing field of Democratic contenders aiming to succeed Sherrill. The timing of the special election remains uncertain, as Sherrill has not yet announced when she will resign her congressional seat. When asked about the timeline, Sherrill told Fox News Digital on Tuesday, “We’ll be in touch with the leadership of the House to make sure that we’re doing that as smoothly as possible for the people of New Jersey.”
The special election represents an opportunity for Democrats to maintain their presence in a district that has become increasingly favorable to the party. It also offers Malinowski a chance at political redemption following his 2022 defeat. His entry into the race brings a high-profile name with established fundraising connections and previous electoral success.
The contest in NJ-11 will be closely watched as part of the broader political landscape following the 2024 elections. With control of Congress often decided by just a few seats, special elections can take on outsized importance in the balance of power in Washington.
For Republicans, the race presents a challenging but not impossible opportunity to flip a seat. While the district has trended Democratic in recent cycles, special elections can sometimes produce surprises when voter turnout patterns differ from general elections.
Malinowski’s focus on economic issues like healthcare costs and Trump’s tariff policies suggests he will run a campaign centered on kitchen-table concerns while also emphasizing democratic values and institutional integrity. This dual approach mirrors strategies that have proven successful for Democrats in suburban districts similar to NJ-11 in recent election cycles.
As the field continues to develop and the timing of the special election becomes clearer, political observers will be watching to see if Malinowski can leverage his previous congressional experience and name recognition to stand out in what is expected to be a competitive Democratic primary.
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7 Comments
This race in New Jersey’s 11th district could be a closely watched one. The former congressman has political experience, but will need to appeal to a wide range of voters to secure the victory.
Interesting that a former Democratic representative is making a comeback bid and targeting Trump’s policies. Curious to see if he can reclaim the seat and how his campaign message resonates with voters.
Targeting Trump’s record is a bold move, but it remains to be seen if that messaging will resonate with voters in this district. Campaign promises around healthcare, housing and transportation could also be key.
The economic policies and tariffs under the Trump administration were certainly controversial. It will be worth watching how this former congressman positions himself on those issues in his campaign.
As an energy and mining enthusiast, I’m curious to hear the candidates’ positions on issues like commodity tariffs, infrastructure investment, and environmental regulations in the sector.
It’s an interesting political dynamic with the governor’s race and this congressional contest happening concurrently. Voter turnout and enthusiasm will be critical for both Democratic candidates.
I wonder how the transition of power in New Jersey’s governorship will impact this congressional race. The outgoing Democratic rep’s victory could provide some momentum for Malinowski’s comeback bid.