Rebecca Bennett Defeats Tom Kean in New Jersey House Race

Democrat Rebecca Bennett defeated Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, according to projections by NBC News and CBS News. The victory gives Democrats an important pickup as they compete for control of the US House of Representatives, while ending Kean's second term after months of controversy surrounding his absence from Congress.

Kean, who represented the district after winning election in 2022, was among the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in this year's congressional contests. His extended absence from Capitol Hill and the political criticism that followed became major issues during the campaign, according to NBC News.

The congressman missed 140 votes between March 5 and June 30, when he returned to Washington and disclosed that he had been hospitalized and diagnosed with depression. His office had previously described his absence as a "personal medical issue" without providing further details.

During his return to the House floor, Kean addressed the challenges associated with his diagnosis and explained the impact of the condition on his life.

"When people hear the word 'depression,' many think it simply means feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that. It is physical.

It is emotional. Until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be," Kean said.

In another statement delivered during his return, Kean acknowledged the uncertain nature of recovery. CBS News reported that he told lawmakers:

"There is no timeline for recovery," Kean said.

The prolonged absence also raised questions about transparency surrounding the health of elected officials. During the period, Kean's office continued publishing updates on social media, introducing legislation and submitting remarks for the Congressional Record. One June 2 entry commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Jewish Federation of West Central New Jersey.

Bennett, a healthcare executive and former Navy helicopter pilot, built her campaign around healthcare policy and Kean's voting record. She criticized his support for President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," arguing that its Medicaid reductions would affect thousands of residents in New Jersey's 7th District.

She also challenged Kean over his votes supporting Trump's war with Iran. Kean, meanwhile, attacked Bennett's connections to healthcare companies, with his campaign advertisements accusing those companies of denying patient coverage and overbilling taxpayers.

Financial disclosures provided another indication of the campaign's competitive balance. According to the latest quarterly Federal Election Commission filings cited by CBS News, Bennett raised approximately $3.9 million between July and September, compared with less than $1 million for Kean.

Across the entire election season, Bennett collected nearly $8.2 million, while Kean raised nearly $5.9 million. Her fundraising advantage gave the Democratic challenger greater financial resources during the final stages of the contest.

Republican support for Kean also weakened toward the end of the campaign. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson, redirected resources from the district to other competitive races. Other major Republican political groups also reduced their spending in support of Kean, according to NBC News and CBS News.

Johnson had previously campaigned alongside Kean in New Jersey and publicly defended the incumbent's candidacy. During one campaign appearance, the House speaker urged voters to support the Republican representative.

"This election is common sense versus crazy; go with the commonsense guy," Johnson said.

Bennett's victory also reflects the importance both parties placed on the district. Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigned with their respective candidates there beginning in August, highlighting the race's significance in the broader contest for House control.

Kean entered Congress in 2022 after defeating Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski, flipping the district for the second time since the 2018 election. His defeat now returns the seat to Democratic representation.

Kean's political background includes a prominent New Jersey Republican family. His father, Tom Kean Sr., previously served as the state's governor, giving the family a longstanding presence in state politics.

Bennett's campaign also received public recognition following the result. EMILYs List issued a congratulatory announcement on November 3, 2026, recognizing her victory in flipping New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.