Bloomfield Councilwoman Tracy Toler-Phillips Endorses Tom Malinowski for NJ-11

Millburn, NJ— Today, Bloomfield Councilwoman Tracy Toler-Phillips released the following statement announcing her endorsement of Tom Malinowski in the Special Democratic Primary to succeed Mikie Sherrill in the House:

“As the granddaughter of an immigrant who escaped Nazi Germany, I was raised with a

deep understanding that democracy is fragile. We must stand up to hate and authoritarianism the moment they appear. Today, I feel a profound sense of urgency— we need leaders who don’t just talk about our values, but who have lived them. This is why I am proud to support Tom Malinowski for Congress.

Tom Malinowski and I share a personal connection to this fight. Having escaped communist Poland as a child, he knows firsthand what is at stake when freedom is under threat. He has spent his career defending the institutions that make America a refuge for so many.

But I am also supporting Tom Malinowski because his record matches my own platform of expanding transit enhancements and flood mitigation. We are perfectly aligned on the issues that matter most to our daily lives in NJ-11:

• Protecting Democracy & Immigrant Rights: Tom Malinowski is a tireless champion for those seeking the American Dream. In Congress, he fought to protect Dreamers, and he continues that work today on the board of Refugees International. From leading the effort to end the use of torture to defending our democratic norms, Tom Malinowski has the experience and the backbone we need.

• A Champion for Transit: My platform prioritizes a modern, reliable transit system, and Tom Malinowski has already delivered. As a former member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he helped secure the federal funding for the Gateway Program. He knows that better NJ Transit service is essential for our families and our economy.

• Serious Flood Mitigation: We agree that "awareness" isn't enough—we need infrastructure. Tom Malinowski has committed to bringing federal dollars back home to protect our neighborhoods from rising waters. He understands that flood mitigation is a matter of safety and property value for every resident in our district.

We need Tom Malinowski— a leader who knows that our democratic freedoms and our local infrastructure must be actively protected and invested in. Tom has done the work before, and I know he is the partner we need to get it done again.”

“Councilwoman Toler-Phillips has been a powerful advocate for her community, and I am so proud to have her on our team,” said Malinowski. “Her commitment to protecting democracy and delivering real solutions on transit and flood mitigation reflects the exact leadership NJ-11 needs right now.”

Toler-Phillips’s endorsement adds to a growing list of Essex County elected leaders backing Malinowski, including South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum and Belleville Councilmembers Frank Velez and Tracy Juanita Muldrow, and local Board of Education trustees in Belleville and Nutley.