Bennett wins Democratic nod in New Jersey primary to face US House Republican Kean

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) – Democrat Rebecca Bennett emerged from a highly competitive primary on Tuesday to take on Republican U.S. Representative Thomas Kean in the November general election in New Jersey’s seventh congressional district, U.S. media projected.

Bennett ​emerged from a crowded field as the winner with a 28 point-lead over ​her closest rival, Tina Shah, with 48% of the vote counted, according to ⁠the Associated Press. Kean, who has been absent from Congress with a mystery medical issue ​since early March, ran unopposed.

Kean and Bennett will now square off in November for a seat ​that has changed party hands twice within the past eight years and now ranks as a key target for Democrats hoping to capture the House of Representatives. Independent analysts rate the contest as a toss-up.

The swing district ​of suburbs and small towns stretches from Staten Island to the Pennsylvania border and includes ​President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course. Trump carried the district in 2024, edging out Democrat Kamala Harris by ‌just ⁠over a percentage point.

Kean, 57, is the scion of a storied New Jersey political family. His father, Thomas, was governor for nearly two decades. His great grandfather was a longtime congressman. And he is descended from the state’s first governor, William Livingston. Most recently, Kean has been ​prominent for missing more ​than 100 House votes ⁠due to an undisclosed medical condition.

Hours before polls closed, Kean released a statement promising to be transparent about his health but pushing his ​return to work further into the future, after saying on May 21 ​that he ⁠would be back in “a couple of weeks.” “Right now, I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual to in person work within a ⁠matter of ​weeks,” Kean said.

Bennett, 39, a healthcare executive and former ​U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, has been seen as the Democratic frontrunner, with a fund-raising advantage and endorsements from Democratic parties ​in the district’s four largest counties.