Today, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3) – a candidate for the United States Senate in New Jersey – announced the endorsement of former House colleague and New Jersey U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-7).

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Congressman Malinowski, someone who truly understands what type of leadership is needed from New Jersey in the Senate during this moment of global crises and conflict,” saidKim. “Congressman Malinowski and I took on some of the toughest fights together in Congress. From securing our national security to rebuilding our state’s infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’ve been proud to have him by my side and to have his full support as we work to restore integrity and make sure New Jersey has a strong, experienced voice in the U.S. Senate.”

“I will not be running for the U.S. Senate or House in 2024,” saidMalinowski. “Instead, I will be enthusiastically supporting Congressman Andy Kim.

“New Jersey Democrats have a weighty responsibility this year. We are choosing a United States Senator at a moment when the world is on fire and our democracy is in danger.  We are also replacing a Senator who, before he lost our trust, exercised immense authority as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and as a fighter for New Jersey’s interests.

“Our next Senator must be a person who is prepared from day one to rise to the challenges our nation faces — from the wars in Ukraine to Gaza to the threat of a Trump victory. Our next Senator must be a leader who restores integrity to the office while maintaining its influence; someone who leaves behind the corruption without sacrificing New Jersey’s clout.

“Andy Kim has all the qualities we should be seeking in these difficult times. He is a person of unquestionable character who clearly has the experience to be an effective Senator. He has spent his entire career in public service, as a member of Congress and as a national security official in the Obama administration. Having worked closely with him in both capacities, I know he has earned the opportunity to represent us, and that he’s done so in all the right ways.

“How we choose our Senate nominee this year also matters. Given the stakes, I’m confident that the only consideration for Democratic voters will be to pick the person best qualified to defend our interests and ideals in Washington. That should also be the only consideration for those who award the party line on the primary ballot.

“Our local party leaders, including county committee members and municipal chairs will play a critical role in this year’s endorsement decisions. They know how the rank-and-file Democrats they represent feel about the Senate candidates. They should do what their constituents believe is right for our state and for our country, without fear or favor.”

Andy Kim currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He is currently the highest-ranking Democrat on the Military Personnel Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee where he works to improve the lives of servicemembers and military families stationed around the globe, and has regularly been a conferee in negotiations been the House and Senate on the critical annual National Defense Authorization Act. He says that partisan politics has no place in our national security, and says he lives that every day in his work on the Armed Services Committee, as well as his work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee where he is a leading voice on U.S. Foreign Policy and its value in shaping America’s global influence.

From working to get more military base contracts for local construction companies to introducing legislation to crack down on the influence of military contractors, limiting the revolving door between DoD officials and the defense industry, and banning senior DoD officials from owning stock in major defense contractors that receive more than $100 million from DoD contracts, Kim said he has been a champion for servicemembers and their families as well as making sure our country’s national security system works for Americans.

In 2018 and 2020, Kim defeated two self-funding millionaires in a district carried by former President Trump, and in 2022 Kim defeated his third self-funding millionaire opponent by 12 points. Kim said he is part of a new and younger generation of leaders stepping up in the Democratic Party.

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