Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Rocky Hill) raised $568,000 during the second quarter of 2019 and has $1,020,000 cash-on-hand — a strong showing for a freshman congressman in the highly competitive 7th district.

Malinowski raised $562,384 during his first three months as a congressman.

“I am so grateful for the enthusiastic support our campaign continues to receive,” said Malinowski. “The voters sent me to Washington to fight for the Gateway Tunnel, affordable, high quality healthcare, and restoration of their SALT deduction. That’s what I will continue to do as long as I am privileged to represent the people of New Jersey’s 7th congressional district.”

Republicans view Malinowski as a top target next year as they seek to regain control of the House.

Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) announced in April that he would challenge Malinowski and said yesterday that he raised $500,000 in the first three months of his candidacy.

In a poll released last week by the National Republican Congressional Committee, an unknown Republican later identified as Kean leads Malinowski 44%-42% — a statistically insignificant 2% margin.

There are 4,985 more Republicans than Democrats in the 7th, which supported Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election by a 48%-47% margin – a 4,139-vote plurality.

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, nor do they include spending made by candidates’ political action committees.

Former U.S. Senate tax counsel Rosemary Becchi and human resources executive Tom Phillips are also seeking the GOP nod to challenge Malinowski.

Malinowski has secured seats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has made funding for the Gateway tunnel and the restoration of New Jersey’s SALT deduction key priorities during his first six months in Congress.