Take Action New Jersey
Holds: NJ-03 (Kim), NJ-05 (Gottheimer), NJ-07 (Malinowski), NJ-11 (Sherrill)
New Jersey historically has been considered a Democratic stronghold; it has supported Democratic presidential candidates since 1962. But individual districts vary. Competitive races to hold onto four U.S. House seats are expected in the Midterms. Rep. Tom Malinowski NJ-07 won office in the 2018 blue wave, beating incumbent Republican Leonard Lance by 5 points. In 2020, he won over challenger Thomas Kean Jr. by only a 1 percent margin. Kean was a stronger candidate. His family is New Jersey political royalty, dating back generations. Kean is seeking a rematch and has qualified for the first round of NRCC ‘Young Guns’ program, giving him access to major fundraising. The Cook Political Report rates NJ-07 as Lean R. In 2018, Mikie Sherrill won the 11th Congressional District made vacant by the retirement of a Republican. Her victory was by more than 14 points. In 2020, her winning percentage had slipped to 6.6 points, but it’s unclear how much of that was due to the Trump factor. More than a half dozen Republicans have filed to run, though none with any strong name recognition. New Jersey 11th is rated Lean R by Cook. Second-term Congressman Andrew Kim represents New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, First elected in 2018 by 1.3 percentage points, Kim won by a larger margin – 7.7 percent – in 2020. One name floated as a possible Republican challenger is Randy Brown, Ravens football coach and self-styled “proud Trump supporter.” The fact that Cook rates Kim’s district as Lean R could indicate a tough race. Josh Gottheimer defeated a Republican incumbent in 2016 to represent New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District. He won reelection in 2018 by 13.7 points and in 2020 by 7.7 points. Holding a law degree from Harvard, Gottheimer worked as a speech writer for President Bill Clinton. His district is rated Lean R by Cook.
