Bennett Wins NJ Democratic Primary to Challenge Absent Rep. Kean Jr.
8 verified1 unconfirmed1 contested
Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive, has won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. She will face Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the general election, a race that has drawn heightened attention due to Kean’s prolonged and unexplained absence from Congress. Kean, who was unopposed in the GOP primary, has not voted in the House or appeared publicly since early March, citing an undisclosed “personal medical issue.” In a statement released on primary day, Kean said he expects to return to in-person work “within a matter of weeks” and will be “completely transparent” about his medical condition at that time. The 7th District, which President Donald Trump carried by just one percentage point in 2024, is considered a critical battleground as Democrats seek to flip the House. Bennett defeated physician Tina Shah, former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth, and business owner Brian Varela for the Democratic nomination. The general election is expected to be highly competitive, with the Cook Political Report rating the contest a “toss-up.”
What’s verified
Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. was unopposed in the Republican primary and has been absent from Congress since early March 2026.
Kean’s last recorded House vote was on March 5, 2026.
Kean’s office has said he is dealing with a “personal medical issue.”
Kean released a statement saying he will return to the Capitol “within a matter of weeks” and will be “completely transparent” about his medical condition.
Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive.
The 7th District is a battleground district; President Trump carried it by 1 point in 2024, and Kean won re-election by about 5 points in 2024.
The district is considered critical for House control.
Where accounts differ
One source reported that a super PAC, Real Change PAC, spent more than $600,000 on the primary race. Another source reported that the same group spent about $650,000. No other conflicting reports were identified across sources.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that a super PAC attacking Bennett during the primary has not disclosed its donors, and some Democrats suspect it is Republican-backed. Another source reported that Kean has submitted five speeches under his name for the Congressional Record during his absence, though it is unclear how he submitted them since House rules require original signatures. It remains unknown what specific medical issue Kean is facing or exactly when he will return to public view.
Key figures
Rebecca Bennett: Democratic nominee, former Navy helicopter pilot, healthcare executive.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.): Incumbent, absent since March 2026.
Tina Shah: Democratic primary candidate, physician.
Michael Roth: Democratic primary candidate, former SBA official.
Brian Varela: Democratic primary candidate, businessman.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): House Speaker.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.): Former representative who carried the district in her 2025 gubernatorial race.
Sources: NBC News, foxnews.com, abcnews.com, rollcall.com
