Democrat Rebecca Bennett will take on GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from Congress
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive, won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District and will challenge Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. in the general election.
- The district is highly competitive, having been narrowly carried by President Trump in 2024, and Kean won re-election by over 5 points despite running ahead of Trump.
- Kean has been absent from the Capitol and public appearances since March due to a “personal medical issue,” but plans to return soon and provide transparency about his condition.
- Bennett criticized Kean for his voting record and absence, emphasizing her military and healthcare background as strengths to flip the seat, while Kean’s campaign highlighted his record on taxes and safety.
- The primary campaign saw attacks on Bennett regarding her past Republican registration and immigration stance, with concerns about undisclosed donors influencing the race through a super PAC.