Kean, Bennett Face Off in NJ-7 Race
Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett compete for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District seat on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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New Jersey's 7th Congressional District holds an election on November 3, 2026, pitting Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. against Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett. Polls close at 8 p.m., and election night coverage begins at 4 p.m.
Why it matters
The contest determines who will represent the New Jersey district in Congress, with Kean seeking another term after serving since January 2023. The race also reflects the candidates' differing platforms and backgrounds as voters weigh the choice for the state's congressional delegation.
The election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with Kean holding the seat since January 2023 and Bennett bringing 15 years of military service to the race. The result will not be known until votes are counted after the 8 p.m. poll closing.
The players
Tom Kean Jr.
Tom Kean Jr. is the Republican incumbent for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District and the son of former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean.
Rebecca Bennett
Rebecca Bennett is the Democratic challenger for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a former military veteran who earned an MBA from the Wharton School.
The details
Bennett's campaign centers on affordability, access to health care, veterans' services, and government ethics, and she has said she divested her personal stock holdings. Kean, the son of former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Timeline
January 2023: Tom Kean Jr. began representing New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.
June 2026: Kean returned to the House floor after an extended absence and publicly disclosed a diagnosis of depression.
November 3, 2026: Election Day, with polls closing at 8 p.m.
Political Context
The race extends a New Jersey political family's presence from Thomas H. Kean's governorship from 1982 to 1990 into his son's congressional career. Bennett's challenge centers on affordability, health care access, and government ethics as the contest approaches its November 3, 2026 vote.
Voters in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District will choose their representative in the House on November 3, 2026. The outcome determines which candidate's platform on affordability, health care, veterans' services, and government ethics will guide the district's federal representation.
The takeaway
Voters weighing this race can compare how each candidate addresses affordability, health care access, veterans' services, and government ethics before polls close on November 3, 2026.
What happens next
Polls close at 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026, when results in the New Jersey 7th Congressional District will begin to be reported.
Further reading
For more on the candidates and the broader contest, explore Elections coverage across New Jersey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 5 New York.
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