Jason Blazakis, a former U.S. State Department official running as a Democrat for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, received a significant endorsement today from the New Democrat Action Fund, the campaign arm of the House’s largest group of center-left Democrats.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of the American people and if elected, there’s no doubt Jason will work tirelessly to safeguard the security of our country and his constituents,” Rep. Annie Kuster (D-New Hampshire), the chair of the New Democrats, said in a statement. “While Republicans are holding up critical aid to our allies who desperately need support in their fights for freedom and democracy, we need more members like Jason who have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to meet this moment. NewDems look forward to working with Jason to win this key primary and flip this seat blue in 2024.”
97 House Democrats are members of the New Democrat Coalition, including three New Jerseyans: Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), and Donald Norcross (D-Camden). By endorsing Blazakis, the group is connecting him to a wide national network of potential supporters and donors.
That’s undoubtedly beneficial for Blazakis in his competitive primary fight against former New Jersey Working Families Party director Sue Altman and Summit Council President Greg Vartan. Altman, who’s been in the race the longest, has a substantial financial headstart against Blazakis; the national connections conferred by the New Democrat Coalition could help close that gap.
The endorsement also deepens the primary’s ideological angle. Since launching his campaign, Blazakis has positioned himself as a more centrist Democrat, while Altman has a long history in state progressive circles and has largely gotten endorsements from fellow progressives so far.
The next big test for all three Democratic candidates will be the 4th quarter fundraising deadline on December 31, though candidates won’t be required to release reports until the end of January. That will be the final fundraising benchmark before county convention season, when the six county Democratic committees in the 7th district meet to determine who will get their critical organizational lines.
Whoever ends up prevailing in the Democratic contest will go on to face freshman Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). Kean unseated Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) 51%-49% in 2022, and his fight for re-election is expected to be New Jersey’s most competitive congressional contest next year by far.
The New Democrats’ endorsement was first reported this morning by Punchbowl News.