Freshman Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Rocky Hill) has raised nearly $1.78 million since taking office six months ago and has $1.49 million in his warchest as he prepares to seek a second term as the congressman from New Jersey’s 7th district.

Malinowski raised $603,000 during the 3rd quarter of 2019, putting him in strong financial shape as one of the top GOP targets in 2020.

Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) has raised nearly $1 million since announcing his challenge to Malinowski in April, including $430,000 in the 3rd quarter.

Another Republican candidate, former U.S. Senate staffer Rosemary Becchi, has not yet released her fundraising numbers. This will be her first quarter as a House candidate.

Malinowski beat five-term incumbent Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Township) by 16,400 votes, 52%-47%, becoming the first Democrat to win the 7th district seat since 1956.

As a first-time candidate, Malinowski raised nearly $6.3 million – more than double what Lance raised. Those totals do not include independent expenditures made for or against either candidate, or spending made by candidates’ political action committees.

The 7th district has 3,004 more Republicans than Democrats. Malinowski defeated Lance by a 52%-47% margin in 2018.

Hillary Clinton carried the district by 4,139 votes, 48%-47%, against Donald Trump in 2016. Four years earlier, Mitt Romney won the 7th by 21,033 votes, 53%-47%, against Barack Obama.