Jon Corzine has not exactly been a visible face on the state’s political scene of late.
That said, the former governor is scheduled to appear Monday evening at an Election Eve event in Flemington to benefit Sue Altman.
Corzine will be joined by former CD-7 Rep. Tom Malinowski, who is also the Democratic chair in Hunterdon County, and Andy Kim.
This is billed as the launch of the final Get Out The Vote effort of the Altman campaign.
On Saturday, Altman held a rally in Rahway – her third in this Union County town – that included Cory Booker
This is not a coincidence.
There are about 20,000 more registered Republicans in CD-7 than Democrats. The district ranges over six counties, including the very Republican bastions of Sussex and Warren.
Union County in general and Rahway in particular represent the most fertile ground for Democrats. So, Altman needs a big turnout there.
Back in 2022 when then-incumbent Malinowski lost to Tom Kean Jr., he did not do well enough in Union.
The thinking, or perhaps the spin, of some Dems is that many voters were not involved in that election because they did not know Rahway was in CD-7 after redistricting.
Previously it had been in the very Democratic leaning CD-10. So, voting in a House race was not that important.
This year. Team Altman wants to make sure voters far and wide know they live in the competitive CD-7, which explains the rallies in Rahway, where Altman also held a town hall.
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As for Kean, in the waning days of the campaign, he’s been contending with some apparent hanky-panky.
His website links to a report and video of about 300 Kean campaign mailers ending up in a supermarket trash bin in Pennsylvania. The postal service is said to be investigating.
The video is kind of unclear, but you do see an individual – a purported post office employee – get out of a car and dump something. Presumably, supermarket employees checked the bin and found the Kean mailers.
“With so much at stake this year, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. is up against a lot,” is what his campaign says about this.
Of course, even if true, politics may not be involved. The person who dumped the mailers may have just wanted to get rid of some political mail, regardless of who sent it.
It’s a serious violation, but maybe not an overtly political one.
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So, what do the numbers say so far?
Republicans have made a concerted effort to get their supporters to vote by mail, or to vote early.
Looks like they met 50 percent of that goal.
Democrats are still winning the vote-by-mail game by almost 3-1 statewide, and by 2-1 in CD-7.
Early in-person voting is another story. The Dems hold a slight lead statewide – 418,000 to 400,000. But in CD-7, Republicans lead in this category by about 18,000 votes.
Keep in mind that there are more Republicans in CD-7 than Democrats.
And also keep in mind that if Altman wins, she is going to need much support from those registered as unaffiliated.
Some 57,000 of them in CD-7 have voted either by mail or early in-person.
They will decide things.
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As for Kean and Altman, they already voted – early in-person.
It used to be common for candidates to trudge to the polls early on Election Day, sometimes trailed by family members and supporters.
Some Election Day color and a nice photo opportunity.
That tradition seems to be disappearing. A pity.
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As the race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District heats up, all eyes are on the closely contested battle between Republican Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Tom Malinowski. With just days left until Election Day, both candidates are pulling out all the stops to secure victory in what has become a true flashpoint in the state’s political landscape.
Kean, a member of one of New Jersey’s most prominent political families, is no stranger to the world of politics. As a former state senator and the son of former Governor Thomas Kean, he has deep roots in the state and a strong base of support. His campaign has focused on issues such as job creation, economic growth, and national security, appealing to voters who are looking for a candidate with experience and a proven track record.
On the other side of the aisle, Malinowski is a former Assistant Secretary of State under President Obama and a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in foreign policy. His campaign has centered around healthcare, gun control, and climate change, resonating with voters who are looking for a progressive voice in Congress.
The race between Kean and Malinowski has been closely watched by political observers and pundits alike, with polls showing a tight race and both candidates within striking distance of victory. With the stakes so high, both campaigns have been working tirelessly to mobilize their supporters and get out the vote in what is expected to be a nail-biter of an election.
As the finish line approaches, all eyes will be on New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District to see which candidate will emerge victorious. Will it be Kean, with his deep ties to the state and strong political pedigree? Or will Malinowski, with his progressive platform and extensive foreign policy experience, be able to pull off an upset? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – this race is far from over.
