Malinowski picks up support in Maplewood, Rockaway

Former Rep. Tom Malinowski has picked up a handful of new endorsements in Maplewood and Rockaway Township, two towns in the 11th congressional district where a rival canddiate, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair), had previously banked support.

Yesterday, Malinowski was endorsed by two former Maplewood mayors, Frank McGehee and Fred Profeta, and former Committeeman Greg Lembrich; McGehee ran for State Assembly in 2023, winning both Maplewood and neighboring South Orange in the primary. Gill has the backing of the entire current Maplewood Township Committee, including former 11th district candidate Dean Dafis, who suspended his campaign earlier this month.

And today, Malinowski announced that he’s been endorsed by brand-new Rockaway Township Councilwoman Susan Fahrman Royek, who flipped a council seat from red to blue last November. Gill already got endorsements from Jonathan Sackett and Manny Friedlander, the two Democrats serving on the council prior to this year.

“Tom has already proven he can deliver for Essex County,“ the three ex-Maplewood elected officials said in a joint statement. “At a moment when extremism and corruption threaten our institutions, Tom is exactly the kind of experienced, battle-tested leader we need back in Congress.”

Malinowski and Gill are two of 11 Democrats competing in the February 5 special primary election to succeed Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Malinowski has official county party support in Morris County (home to Rockaway Township), while Gill has it in Essex County (home to Maplewood).