Democrat Rebecca Bennett has won a highly competitive primary in New Jersey’s seventh congressional district and will face Republican incumbent Thomas Kean in the November general election, according to projections by U.S. media outlets.
Bennett emerged from a crowded field of candidates, securing a 28-point lead over her closest rival, Tina Shah, with about 48% of votes counted, according to The Associated Press.
Kean ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He is currently seeking re-election after a period of absence from Congress due to an undisclosed medical condition, which has prevented him from casting more than 100 House votes in recent months.
The district, which stretches from Staten Island to the Pennsylvania border, is considered a critical battleground in the fight for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Political analysts currently rate the contest as a toss-up.
Former President Donald Trump narrowly carried the district in the 2024 election, edging out then–Vice President Kamala Harris by just over one percentage point.
Kean, 57, comes from a prominent New Jersey political family. His father served as governor for nearly two decades, and his lineage includes multiple generations of public officeholders.
Hours before polls closed, Kean released a statement addressing his health, saying he remains focused on recovery and expects to transition back to in-person duties in the coming weeks.
Bennett, 39, a healthcare executive and former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, has been viewed as the Democratic frontrunner throughout the race. She benefited from strong fundraising and endorsements from major county Democratic organizations.
The race is expected to be one of the most closely watched congressional contests in the upcoming U.S. elections.
