Debate Highlights Bennett’s Refusal to Disclose Net Worth

During a debate on Sunday, New Jersey Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett repeatedly avoided revealing her net worth, despite her campaign promises to eliminate money’s influence in politics and her criticisms of the financial actions of her opponent, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ).

Bennett has made a commitment to “get money out of politics” and has accused Kean of not being transparent with voters in New Jersey. However, when a moderator asked her three times about her net worth during the debate, she did not provide a specific answer.

“What is your net worth?” the moderator inquired. Bennett replied, “I don’t know the exact number. I’m happy to follow up later, but I will say that ultimately, I think what I hear loud and clear from people is that we need to get money out of politics.”

She elaborated on her views, stating, “I think you can draw a line from the Citizens United decision to where we are as a country right now. I want you to know that I am going to work to get dark money out of politics, to end Citizens United, and to ensure that I’m not taking any corporate PAC money because I am here to serve all of you, not any special interests.”

Bennett contrasted herself with Kean, claiming he has traded over $3 million in stocks and accepted large sums of corporate PAC money. The moderator pressed for a specific figure again, asking for a rough estimate of her net worth. Bennett responded, “My net worth is very similar to what we see of a lot of families around here. My husband and I work, and we’re lucky to have built a life we want.”

When further pressed, the moderator asked if she was worth over a million dollars. Bennett hesitated, leading to laughter from the audience, and continued talking about her hard work and education, mentioning her ROTC scholarship and how she used the GI Bill for her MBA.

Her reluctance to disclose her net worth coincides with Kean’s campaign questioning her past in the healthcare industry. Kean accused Bennett of facilitating profitable contracts that prioritize profits over patient care during her time as a healthcare executive.

Kean denied Bennett’s claims about his stock trading during the debate, stating, “I have not traded an individual stock since I’ve been a member of Congress. Every three months, it’s reported.” He emphasized his strict approach to investing, expressing that he has no involvement in his financial dealings.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Bennett, saying, “Lying Democrat Rebecca Bennett talks a big game, but when the spotlight is on her, the act falls apart.”

In other points discussed, Bennett supports raising the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, a move that could potentially result in millions of job losses according to some estimates. She has also voiced opposition to a comprehensive tax relief bill that she claims would benefit wealthy Americans more than those in need.