South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum Endorses Tom Malinowski for Congress; Announces January 10 Forum on Defending Our Democracy with Malinowski and Senator Andy Kim

South Orange, NJ — South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum today announced her endorsement of Tom Malinowski in the race for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District to succeed Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill. Mayor Collum also announced that she will host a Community Forum on Defending Our Democracy featuring Malinowski and U.S. Senator Andy Kim on Saturday, January 10, from 4:30–6:00 PM. The event will take place in South Orange, with the specific location provided upon RSVP at tinyurl.com/DEMOCRACY1-10.

Mayor Collum, the longest-serving woman mayor in Essex County, has previously supported both Malinowski and Kim and underscored the urgency of experienced, principled leadership at a pivotal moment for the nation and New Jersey.

“Tom Malinowski has already delivered real results for our region—securing critical federal funding for the Gateway Program, fighting to restore the SALT deduction, and protecting access to affordable health care,” said Collum. “He served with distinction as a senior member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and as Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, bringing deep experience as a former diplomat and Washington Director for Human Rights Watch. Just as importantly, Tom has shown independence and moral courage—standing up against authoritarianism, fascism, and extremism-even when it came at personal and political cost in a swing district. That proven integrity and effectiveness are exactly why he’s the right leader to send back to Congress.”

“I am honored to have Mayor Sheena Collum’s endorsement and deeply grateful for her leadership in South Orange and across Essex County,” said Malinowski. “Sheena has been a trailblazing leader as the first woman to serve as Mayor of South Orange and through her work championing smart growth, economic development, and community investment. Her support means a great deal as we continue building a broad coalition across NJ-11 working to protect our communities from Trump’s agenda.”

The Community Forum will provide residents with an opportunity to hear directly from Malinowski and Kim, ask questions, and engage in a timely discussion about protecting democratic institutions, strengthening civic trust, and charting a forward-looking path for New Jersey and the nation.

“Defending our democracy isn’t only about what happens in Washington—it’s also about restoring faith in public service here at home and weeding out corruption wherever it exists,” said Senator Andy Kim. “This moment calls for leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, and service. Tom Malinowski exemplifies those values, and I’m proud to support him as we work together to build a future worthy of the public’s trust.”