Summit, NJ – Today, Michael Roth for Congress announced endorsements from proven leaders in Summit who know how to win and deliver results: Nora G. Radest, Former Mayor of Summit, 2016-2024; Claire Toth, Incoming Summit Council President; David Naidu, Former Summit City Council President and Council Member; Andrea J. Stein, Former Chair, Summit Municipal Democratic Committee, 2019-2023; and Terri Tauber, Former Chair, Summit Municipal Democratic Committee, 2008-2015, and Treasurer, Summit Municipal Democratic Committee.

The endorsements from a former Mayor, two Council Presidents, and two Democratic Municipal Chairs represents the largest slate of endorsements from Union County in the primary to date, signaling growing momentum across one of the most pivotal areas in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Together, these leaders bring decades of experience governing, organizing, and winning elections in Summit and across NJ-07.

Former Mayor Nora G. Radest has been an active volunteer in Summit for over 30 years. After moving to Summit in 1989, she quickly became involved in PTO activities, ultimately serving on the PTA/PTO Legislative Committee. In 1996, Ms. Radest was a founding member of Speak Up Summit, an advocacy group for the Summit public schools, and served as president for three years until stepping down in 2001. Mayor Radest was a member of the Board of Education from 2001-2006 and was president of the Board in the 2003/2004 academic year. Ms. Radest joined the board of trustees of the Summit Educational Foundation in 2007 and served as president for three years. Along with a group of dedicated volunteers, Ms. Radest spearheaded the establishment of an endowment fund for SEF. This was and still is one of the few public school endowments in the state. Ms. Radest served on the board of The Connection for 11 years. Her term as mayor began in January 2016 and it ended in January 2024.

Recognizing the moment of urgency the 2026 elections must address, Ms. Radest said, “I am supporting Michael because his message and concerns about affordability in this country are very real and accurate. Our Congress is not concerned about working class Americans, nor is our president. I believe that Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. should not be re-elected. He was Summit’s state senator during COVID, when I was mayor, and I can assure you that he did nothing to help us.”

Claire Toth is the incoming Summit Council President, with a distinguished background as a tax lawyer and financial planner. Positions include: former Treasurer for Summit Downtown Inc. and Summit Educational Foundation; Finance Committee member for Family Promise, Impact 100 Garden State, St. Teresa of Avila parish; former board member, SAGE Eldercare; former member of the City of Summit Historic Preservation Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment. She is also the recipient of the Boy Scouts’ Distinguished Citizen Award, NJBiz’s Leader in Finance Award, and the Suburban Chamber of Commerce’s Silver Service Award.

Underscoring their shared experience, Ms. Toth said, “Michael and I share deep experience with small business; his work to support them during the pandemic and its aftermath is nothing short of heroic. Michael listens and collaborates; he will serve NJ-07 well and is the right candidate to flip the district.”

David Naidu is a partner at an international law firm. In addition to serving six years on Summit Common Council, including two years as Council President, David served on Summit’s Planning Board and Environmental Commission. He founded a non-profit, the Summit Conservancy, and has served or still serves on the boards of Great Swamp Watershed Association, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, and Elevate Plus.

Mr. Naidu highlighted Michael Roth’s experience as his qualifications to effectively address the affordability crisis, and said, “The residents of NJ-07 pay some of the highest taxes in the country, which makes it harder for people to afford to live here. We need someone in D.C. who will bring federal dollars back into the district to help relieve local tax pressures. Michael’s work as head of the federal Small Business Administration, providing financial support to thousands of New Jersey businesses, means he knows how to deliver. As the former CEO of his own company, Michael knows what it takes to run a business and understand the need for fiscal responsibility. His background makes Michael uniquely qualified to tackle the affordability crisis in NJ-07.”

Andrea J. Stein is an active member of her community, having served on the executive board of the Summit Municipal Democratic Committee for six years, including four years as chair. She also co-founded three grassroots organizations in the wake of the 2016 election and served on the steering committee of former congressman Tom Malinowski’s re-election campaign. Her involvement has also included serving on her synagogue board, PTO boards, and as scholarship committee co-chair for a local organization.

Ms. Stein, who uplifted Michael Roth’s ability to deliver results for people and communities from within the federal government and across the aisle, said, “From my first meeting with Michael Roth, I knew he had the right message and qualifications to serve in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional district. His experience delivering funds to small businesses here in the district and across the country, his leadership at the Small Business Administration, and his work with elected officials at all levels and of all party affiliations speak volumes to what he can achieve in Congress. Michael is a do-er who will get things done, and equally importantly, he is an empathetic listener who cares about people and truly hears what they say. I have no doubt that he is the best candidate not only to flip this seat, but to deliver what our communities need.”

Terri Tauber has been deeply committed to her community for decades, having served as Chair of the Summit Democratic Committee, after running for Summit Common Council in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Terri is currently serving as Treasurer for the Summit and New Providence Municipal Democratic Committees, the Berkeley Heights Democratic Club, and numerous local and Assembly campaigns. She has been a leader in several grassroots organizations, organizing rallies and canvassing events, helping Mikie Sherrill, Tom Malinowski, Andrew Macurdy, and numerous local campaigns win.

Acknowledging the rising cost of living and Michael Roth’s hands-on approach to leadership, Ms. Tauber said, “I’m proud to support Michael Roth because he understands this community and the real pressures families are facing every day — from rising housing costs to childcare, healthcare, and taxes. Michael has built his campaign the grassroots way, by listening to people and showing up, and he has the experience to take that fight to Washington and stand up to Donald Trump and his allies. We need leaders who know how to deliver results, not just talk about them, and Michael is that leader."

Groundswell of Support

With this round of endorsements from a major municipality within the district, Michael Roth is ending the year strong with momentum-building grassroots support. As one of the top swing districts across the country to win in order to regain a Democratic majority for the US House, Michael’s leadership in the public and private sectors, strong message within the district, and expanding campaign infrastructure distinguish him as the best Democratic contender to defeat Tom Kean Jr. in November 2026.