New Jersey Democrats pick House challenger in key 7th District
Why it matters: The race targets Republican Tom Kean Jr., whose monthslong absence has intensified a fight central to control of the House.
Democrats in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District are voting Tuesday to choose a nominee to face Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in one of the state's most competitive House races. The four-way primary pits Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah and Brian Varela against one another in a district Democrats see as critical to winning back the narrowly divided House. Kean, who last voted in early March, has been away from Congress for months while dealing with what he described on X as a personal medical issue. His aides have said he plans to seek a third term. The contest has drawn heavy fundraising, with each Democratic candidate bringing in seven figures, and outside spending including about $650,000 from a political action committee attacking Bennett.