Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) endorsed Joe Biden for president, becoming the first prominent New Jersey Democrat to take sides following the withdrawal of Cory Booker from the race on Monday.
“We need a nominee who can calm partisan divisions, unify the country, and, once elected, rebuild our government institutions and leadership in the world,” Malinowski said. “Joe Biden will run the campaign we need to win in November; defend the middle class, and restore decency, honesty, and respect for the rule of law to the White House.”
Malinowski joined the rest of the New Jersey congressional delegation in endorsing Booker last February.
The freshman 7th district congressman said that Biden “already enjoys diverse support within our party and that he knows how to lift up the voices of all Americans.”
“As a former Assistant Secretary of State, I am also eager to support a nominee with the experience to restore the place of respect America once occupied on the world stage,” Malinowski said. “Joe Biden can do that.”
Malinowski praised Booker for running a “principled, positive and unifying campaign.”
“There are many other extraordinary candidates still in the race,” the congressman said. “But with our democracy at stake, we need to come together around a candidate who will unite Americans who believe we can do better.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which is seeking to pick up the 7th district House seat Malinowski flipped in 2018 after 62 years of GOP control, criticized his endorsement.
“Tom Malinowski’s decision to back Joe Biden’s job-killing agenda will cost him dearly,” said Mike McAdams, an NRCC spokesman.
This story was updated at 10:59 AM to include comment from McAdams.
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