Democrats in New Jersey's pivotal 7th Congressional District will select their nominee on Tuesday to challenge Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent from Congress for months due to an undisclosed medical issue. The primary is the state's most high-profile, with four candidates vying for the chance to unseat Kean, whose aides confirm he intends to seek a third term despite his prolonged absence.
The district, which includes suburban communities and agricultural land, has a history of volatility, having ousted two incumbents in midterm elections over the past decade. Kean's last recorded vote was in early March, and his continued absence has intensified focus on the race, which Democrats view as crucial for gaining control of the narrowly divided House.
The Democratic field includes Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot; Michael Roth, a former Small Business Administration official; Tina Shah, an intensive care unit doctor; and Brian Varela, a businessman backed by progressive groups. The campaign has been fiercely contested, with each candidate raising substantial funds, often exceeding seven figures.
Bennett's campaign has faced scrutiny from a political action committee that has spent approximately $650,000 in the primary, launching attacks from the left. Bennett has suggested the group, whose donors remain undisclosed, is Republican-backed, aiming to undermine her candidacy out of concern for her general election prospects.
Democrats are focusing their campaign on rising costs of groceries and gasoline, which they attribute to the Iran war and the president's sweeping tariffs. They are directing blame at Republicans, specifically at Kean, arguing he is ill-suited for the district and citing his support for the president's signature tax-cut legislation.
Kean addressed his absence last month on X, stating he is dealing with a 'personal medical issue' and expects to return soon, but provided no further details. The district was redrawn after the most recent census to be more favourable to Republicans, but its electoral history remains unpredictable. Kean defeated incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski in 2022, who had previously unseated Republican Rep. Leonard Lance in 2018.
