Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) has endorsed Jay Vaingankar in the race for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.
“In Congress, we need leaders who know how to get things done and who are ready to take on the challenges facing working families,” said Krishnamoorthi on April 13. “From his track record expanding clean energy and working across the federal government to lower costs, Jay Vaingankar has the experience and the drive to deliver results. I am proud to endorse Jay Vaingankar for Congress, and I look forward to his leadership in our nation’s capital.”
According to a statement from Vaingankar’s campaign, the candidate, a former official in the Biden White House and the Department of Energy, played a role in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, helping deliver millions of dollars in clean energy tax credits to New Jersey.
The campaign noted that Vaingankar has centered his platform on addressing the cost of living, advancing universal health care, and ending prolonged military engagements. “He has built his campaign around tackling the cost of living, achieving universal health care, and putting an end to forever wars. Vaingankar will fight to undo Trump’s cuts to clean energy investment to lower families’ utility bills while creating good-paying jobs,” the statement added.
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Krishnamoorthi’s endorsement comes as the campaign gains national attention, including in response to attacks from Laura Loomer. The campaign said Vaingankar has remained steadfast despite receiving death threats, framing the moment as indicative of his willingness to confront extremism while continuing to build a broad coalition focused on lowering costs for New Jersey families.
“I’m honored to have Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s support,” said Vaingankar. “He has built a reputation in Congress for delivering results, strengthening our economy, and standing up for working families. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we need more of in Washington. I’ve shown in this campaign that I won’t back down from MAGA extremists like Laura Loomer, and I’ll bring that same willingness to stand up and fight for NJ-12 in Congress.”
The campaign also highlighted its recent momentum, noting it has raised more than $260,000 and is among five candidates in a 13-person field to qualify for the nationally televised debate on April 26. It added that Vaingankar has received prior endorsements from former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, as well as the Indian American Impact Fund and the AAPI Victory Fund, both of which support Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates nationwide.
