Former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett has won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, defeating four other candidates to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) in November. The Associated Press called the race at 8:56 p.m. ET, with Bennett securing 47.8% of the vote, more than 27 points ahead of the second-place finisher.
Kean, who has not appeared in public since early March, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. His prolonged absence—missing over 50 votes since March—has drawn scrutiny, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledging the mystery but deferring to Kean's promise of transparency. Kean released a statement before polls closed, pledging to disclose his medical condition "within weeks" but offering no further details.
The district, rated a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report, is critical to House Republicans' efforts to maintain their slim majority. Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) narrowly carried the seat in the 2025 gubernatorial race. Bennett's victory sets up a competitive general election, with Kean facing his toughest re-election fight yet amid questions about his availability and transparency.