MONTCLAIR - There's no doubt Brendan Gill can handle rain.

The Essex County Commissioner officially launched his CD-11 campaign Monday outside his childhood home - and where his parents still live - on Rydal Place.

A cold rain fell throughout the kickoff event as about 100 or so supporters huddled under umbrellas and two tents. The less than ideal weather did nothing to dissuade a lengthy series of speakers who praised Gill. They included state Sen. Britnee Timberlake, Montclair Mayor Renee Baskerville and Assembly members Michael Venezia and Alixon Collazos-Gill, the candidate's wife.

"If the rain is a blessing, we're in good shape," Brendan Gill said.

There are now five Democrats officially in the race to replace Mikie Sherrill in Congress. The date of the special primary and subsequent general election won't be determined until Gov-elect Sherrill formally resigns her congressional seat.

Gill spoke about how the "American Dream" is becoming harder and harder to reach, primarily because traditional democratic norms are under attack.

For that he blamed the president, whom he did not identify by name, and his cronies.

Clearly, all Democrats seeking this seat are going to agree with that sentiment. As is often the case with primaries, the race likely will turn on personalities, alliances and intangibles, one of which may be where the candidates' live.

Also in the race is Tom Malinowski, who served four years in Congress representing the Seventh District just to the west.

Congressional candidates do not have to live in a district they want to represent and Malinowski, as of now, doesn't. He did say last week that he plans to move to CD-11.

Not surprisingly, Gill seems to be making it clear he has longstanding ties to the district.

His announcement, as noted, was outside his parents' home, and the various speakers talked about what Gill has done for the community as an elected official.

Gill himself said, "You need folks who know the communities that they're seeking to represent."

Elaborating, he said a good representative needs to have a "foundation" of familiarity when conversing with mayors, state lawmakers and the like.

So that when you pick up the phone to call someone, "You're not talking to them for the first time."

At today’s press conference, Gill also highlighted the broad and diverse community support powering his campaign for Congress. He announced new endorsements from Debra Kagan, Mitch Heisler, Melissa Walker, and Anne Mernin, community leaders fighting for safe streets, youth sports, arts education, and food security. Their support reflects Gill’s deep roots in the community and commitment to delivering results for working families, strengthening local services, and uplifting the arts and social programs that make our towns thrive. These endorsements build on the growing momentum behind Gill’s campaign and underscore the wide coalition of residents, advocates, and leaders uniting around his vision for effective, compassionate leadership in Washington.

Grammy Award Winner Melissa Walker, founder of Jazz House Kids, offered, “Brendan has also been instrumental in securing funding that supports our music education programs and helps us plan for the future. Brendan does this work because he knows the arts are under attack. He wants our young people to have great opportunities, he wants to make sure our arts community remains vibrant, and he wants to make people’s lives better. I can think of no one better to represent us in Congress than my dear friend, Brendan Gill.”

Debra Kagan, longtime Montclair resident and community leader in the field of active transportation and safe streets, explained, “Brendan is a rare elected official who makes our problems his problems, who takes the advocacy personally, who knows all the players personally, and makes connections that deliver results for our communities. He has lived here his whole life, knows these communities like the back of his hand, and has the exact skill set we need in Congress right now.”

"That was what today was all about - the community leaders that I've worked with and delivered for over my many years of service," Gill said.

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