Tom Kean Jr., the New Jersey Republican congressman whose four month absence of the House this year remained unexplained until he revealed he was being treated for depressionfaced a Democratic opponent on Sunday Rebecca Bennett in the battleground district for his support of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran.
Appearing on stage together for their first and only debate before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Kean focused on Trump’s controversial record, defending Trump’s protectionist economic policies that disrupted global trade and supporting Trump’s decision to launch attacks on Iran, saying the country could not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
Bennett, a Navy veteran, sought to exploit public discontent over rising prices, called for an end to the war and called on Congress to curb Trump’s use of tariffs on imports.
THE 7th Congressional Districtwhich includes Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club, has shifted party control in each of the last two midterm elections, making it a magnet for campaign spending and a political barometer. Republicans are trying to defend their narrow majority in the House at a time when Trump approval rating is deep underwater and gas prices are increasing because of his war with Iran.
Kean, who voted against resolutions to end military action in Iran, defended the war.
“I think when you look at what Iran’s terrorist leaders are saying, they’re saying death to America. They’re aiming to get nuclear weapons,” Kean said.
Bennett, a Navy veteran, called for an end to the conflict.
“We must end the war in Iran,” she said. “The reason we are seeing this increase in gas prices is because of this unnecessary war.”
Regarding tariffs, Kean said they were the president’s prerogative. Bennett said Congress should intervene.
Kean, a former state lawmaker from a deeply rooted political family, is seeking a third term. During his absence, he missed more than 100 votes.
He returned in June and said he had been hospitalized for depression and was a private person by nature.
Bennett, a former Navy pilot who also worked as a health care executive, is a newcomer to politics. She won a competitive primary in June and was widely seen as a more moderate and electable Democrat than some of her competitors.
Millions of dollars were invested in the race.
Last week, a super PAC linked to the Republican president indicated it would spend more than $3 million to help Kean in the race. Another Democratic-linked political action committee set aside about $2.5 million for television ads in the New York market to help Bennett and another Democrat in a New York district.
Kean’s district became slightly more Republican after redistricting following the 2020 census. Nonetheless, Democrats see it as a great opportunity for recovery.
Kean won in 2022 by unseating Democrat Tom Malinowski, who ousted Republican Leonard Lance in 2018.
Gn usa
