Rebecca Bennett Wins Democratic Primary for NJ’s 7th Congressional District
On Tuesday, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. This seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Keene, who, interestingly, has been absent from congressional activities.
Bennett, 37, overcame three other candidates to secure her nomination, positioning the party to potentially gain a seat in the upcoming midterm elections on November 3.
“NJ-07 deserves representation that actually shows up in every home,” she stated in a Substack post just before the election.
“If I have the honor of representing this district, I’ll wake up every day to work harder than ever, and I’ll fight for you and your families just as fiercely as I fight for my own children. We will continue this effort until November. I’m ready, and I hope you will be too.”
Bennett brings over 15 years of military experience to the table as a helicopter pilot, experimental test pilot, and aircraft commander in the Air National Guard. Polls indicate that she has a considerable lead over her opponents.
“Having defended this country before, I’m prepared to do it again,” Bennett remarked. Some of her latest ads even highlight her as the sole Democrat capable of stopping Donald Trump.
A Cornell University and Wharton School graduate, Bennett reportedly raised more than $2.6 million for her campaign, which is significantly more than her Democratic rivals.
During her campaign, she emphasized the rising cost of living, promising to address these issues, including efforts to repeal the Trump tax cuts for affordability reasons.
Interestingly, voters in the expansive 7th Congressional District, which includes Trump’s Bedminster Country Club, had leaned slightly in favor of Trump by two points during the 2024 presidential election. However, they supported Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill over Republican Jack Ciatarelli by the same margin in last year’s gubernatorial race.
Keene, who hasn’t voted in Congress since March 5, is now running as an independent in the Republican primary. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report categorizes this district as a “toss-up.”
During late April, Keene mentioned on social media that he was facing “personal medical issues.” In a more recent interview, he refrained from providing specific details about his health but mentioned plans to return to Congress soon.
“Doctors are optimistic about my recovery,” he stated, acknowledging the public’s desire for transparency and thanking his constituents for their support.
When asked about Keene’s absence, Bennett expressed her concerns, saying, “I certainly wish him well and hope he recovers quickly. However, looking at his record, I believe he has let this district down.”
“If I were in Congress, I’d prioritize being transparent about what’s happening.”
