There’s no New Jersey congressional election more competitive this year than the one for the 7th District, where incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski is hoping to fend off a challenge from Republican Tom Kean, Jr.

That’s despite Kean nearly ousting Malinowski two years ago, and a redistricting that shifted 30,000 more Republicans into the district, extending its boundaries to include all of Warren County and more towns in Sussex County. As of Wednesday, the Cook Political report had New Jersey's 7th District rated as “leans Republican.” Roll Call considers Malinowski the second-most vulnerable incumbent in the House. Yet the Malinowski camp says its internal polls show the race is extremely tight.

What we learned about polarization
Kean has attempted to draw a clear link between his opponent and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (In the only televised debate between the two candidates, Kean mentioned Pelosi 11 times). Malinowski ties Kean to former President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (one Westfield resident, Carole Cooke, said outside the nearby Trader Joe’s that Kean’s campaign promise to have Trump’s back is a “no go for me&quot .

Democratic strongholds like Rahway could prove to be essential to Malinowski’s strategy in the run-up to the election. The town was pulled into the 7th District through the same redistricting process that upped the count of Republicans overall.

“Malinowski has not been their representative, and so they're used to voting for Donald Payne [the Democratic incumbent seeking re-election in the 10th Congressional District],” Solomon said. “So it'll be very interesting to watch whether Malinowski can get turnout in Rahway. That is key.”