Former Navy Pilot Rebecca Bennett, 39, has defeated incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, flipping a key seat for Democrats as they seek to retake control of the House.
The Associated Press called the race for Bennett at 9:48 p.m. With 65% of ballots counted, Bennett had roughly 60% of the vote, compared to 57-year-old Kean Jr., who had 38%.
Kean Jr.’s loss comes after his monthslong absence from Capitol Hill due to depression earlier this year. Kean was absent from Capitol Hill for roughly four months and missed over 100 votes; Few details were shared with the public during that time regarding his condition. President Donald Trump narrowly carried this suburban New York district in 2024.
Bennett and Democrats sought to use his absence against him on the campaign trail, with Bennett telling reporters following the pair’s only debate that she would have been more transparent if she were in Kean Jr.’s position. Bennett also tied Kean Jr. to Trump, who has been plagued by low approval ratings in his second term.
The flipping of New Jersey’s 7th District marks a significant victory for Democrats’ efforts to gain control of the House in the 120th session of Congress. Recent polling had Bennett leading Kean Jr. by 5 points.