SPRINGFIELD, NJ — February 7, 2018 — Lisa Mandelblatt announced tonight that she was dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District and endorsing Tom Malinowski.

Mandelblatt, a first-time candidate for elected office who had raised the most money in the race through the fourth quarter of 2017, said after much soul searching, she decided it was best to withdraw from the race.

“It is time to put changing our country over my own candidacy and do what is best for our shared goal in November,” Mandelblatt said. “I want to ensure that the candidate who is best able to take out Congressman Leonard Lance has a clear field to do so. I urge the other candidates to consider the consequences of a bloody primary.”

Mandelblatt, who grew up in Springfield, announced her decision at a candidates’ forum at Jonathan Dayton High School, her alma mater, where she was named “Most Likely to Succeed” and worked on the school newspaper.

A graduate of Cornell University and Fordham Law school who left the legal profession for the classroom as an elementary school teacher, the Westfield resident said she decided to enter the Congressional race because there are not enough women in elected office.

“I firmly believe that behavior and conversations will not change until women have a seat at the table and make our voices heard directly,” Mandelblatt said. “But being a woman is not enough of a qualifier. We need women who will fight for and amplify the voices of other women.”

She said she also threw her hat into the ring because she was concerned democracy was in danger following the election of Donald Trump as president.

“We must flip the House if we are going to stop this assault on our most fundamental values,” Mandelblatt said. “We need to win 24 seats to flip the house and CD7 is one of these must-wins.  This is a daunting and awesome responsibility.”

Mandelblatt said she is endorsing Malinowski because he shares her values.

“He’s not a woman and he tells terrible dad jokes,” Mandelblatt said. “But I have heard him in forum after forum state his eagerness to fight for women and stand up for progressive values in Washington.”

Mandelblatt said she plans to hit the campaign trail for Malinowski.

“There is nothing more important than beating Lance in November, and I will do everything I can on behalf of Tom or whoever it may be to do so,” Mandelblatt said.