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Rebecca Bennett wins New Jersey Democratic primary, to face Trump ally Kean
TL;DR
Rebecca Bennett has won the New Jersey Democratic primary, defeating three rivals with 47.2% of the vote. She will face Republican Tom Kean Jr., a Trump ally, in the November midterm elections.
Key points
- Rebecca Bennett won the New Jersey Democratic primary
- She received about 47.2% of the vote
- Bennett will face Republican Tom Kean Jr. in November
- The district has changed party hands twice in eight years
- The contest is rated as a toss-up by analysts
Mentioned in this story
Rebecca BennettTom Kean Jr.Democratic PartyRepublican PartyNew Jersey
2023 Midterm Elections
Rebecca Bennett has won a high-stakes Democratic Party primary in the US state of New Jersey, setting up a contest against Republican Tom Kean Jr, backed by President Donald Trump, for one of the most competitive seats in the upcoming midterm elections.
Bennett, a former US Navy helicopter pilot, defeated three Democratic rivals in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, securing about 47.2 percent of the vote, according to projected results on Tuesday.
Her nearest competitor, Tina Shah, received 20.2 percent.
Kean and Bennett will now square off in November for a seat that has changed party hands twice within the past eight years and ranks as a key target for Democrats hoping to capture the House of Representatives.
Independent analysts rate the contest as a toss-up.
Rebecca Bennett holds her daughter, Rosie, during a primary election night watch party in Bridgewater, New Jersey, on June 2, 2026 [Ryan Murphy/AP]
The race has attracted heightened attention because of Kean’s prolonged absence from Congress.
The Republican incumbent has missed more than 100 House votes since early March due to an undisclosed illness.
Despite his absence, Kean ran unopposed in the Republican primary with Trump’s backing.
Kean said on Tuesday that he remained focused on his recovery and expected to return to in-person work within weeks.
Hours before polls closed, Kean released a statement promising greater transparency about his health while suggesting his return to in-person work could take longer than previously anticipated.
On May 21, he said he expected to be back within “a couple of weeks”.
“Right now, I am focused on my recovery and, under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual to in-person work within a matter of weeks,” Kean had said.
Bennett targets cost of living, Kean’s absence
At an election night gathering in Somerville, New Jersey, Bennett sharply criticised Kean’s record and absence from Washington.
“You are failing us, and you do not deserve to represent us in Washington,” she told supporters, calling the congressman a “coward”.
Bennett built her campaign around her military service and economic issues, arguing that higher grocery and gasoline prices during the US-Israel war on Iran, combined with Trump’s tariffs, were squeezing working families.
Q&A
Who is Rebecca Bennett and what is her political background?
Rebecca Bennett is a former US Navy helicopter pilot who recently won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.
What percentage of the vote did Rebecca Bennett receive in the primary?
Rebecca Bennett secured approximately 47.2% of the vote in the New Jersey Democratic primary.
Who is Tom Kean Jr. and what is his connection to Donald Trump?
Tom Kean Jr. is a Republican candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, competing against Rebecca Bennett in the upcoming midterm elections.
What are the stakes for the New Jersey 7th Congressional District in the midterm elections?
The New Jersey 7th Congressional District is considered a key target for Democrats, having changed party hands twice in the past eight years, making the contest a toss-up.
