Rebecca Bennett wins Democratic primary in New Jersey to take on Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MIKE CATALINI
Updated 9:51 PM CDT, June 2, 2026

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic primary in a battleground New Jersey congressional district to take on Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has been absent with an unspecified illness for months.

Bennett’s victory over three other Democrats on Tuesday sets up the state’s premier contest in November, when the party hopes it can flip the onetime Republican stronghold that has proven competitive in recent years. The district includes bedroom communities and farm towns as well as President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club.

Kean’s absence — his last vote was in early March — has supercharged interest in the seat, which Democrats view as key to winning control of the narrowly divided U.S. House. Voters in the 7th District have ousted two incumbents during midterm elections over the past decade.

Addressing supporters in Somerville, Bennett called Kean a “coward.”



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/primary-new-jersey-house-kean-756e7b7d87a80eefe4b68481b33f69c4

[0rganism]

1. She'll have to find him first

Where has he been hiding? This mysterious invisible representative

[Akakoji]

2. Good News. He is a coward

If people saw what he looked like I believe they would not even have voted for him today. He is a place marker. I can't confirm he is even alive at this point. Do you believe he actually called anyone recently? I don't.

[pat_k]

3. Great interview and pitch for Rebecca Bennett.

I don't often make a pitch for donations here, but this one means a lot to me.

I lived in Westfield NJ from 1990 to 2015. Up until redistricting in 2000, it was an extremely competitive district. Even when Repubs gained a big advantage, we worked our heads off for Democratic candidates, and even came close with Linda Stender in 2008. It became even less competitive in 2010, so, even though I no longer lived there, I was delighted with Malinowski's win!

Anyway, I think Rebecca has a serious shot. Simon Rosenberg's Hopium Chronicles just started a fund-raising drive for her.

Here's a link to her interview with Simon:

And here's a link to the Hopium donation page.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hopium4bennett

And her "MAGA lies" video: