Kean Returned to Congress After an Unexplained Absence. Now It's Time for His First and only Debate
The race has drawn millions in outside spending as Republicans try to protect a narrow House majority.
- Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Rebecca Bennett will meet Sunday night at 7 p.m. for their first and only campaign debate in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a closely contested race that may help determine House control.
- Democrats view the swing district as a prime pickup opportunity; Stimsight Research polling last week showed Bennett holding a 5-point lead over Kean, while the race has attracted millions in outside spending including more than $3 million from a Trump-aligned PAC for Kean.
- Returning from a 116-day absence from the House, which he disclosed was for depression treatment, Kean is seeking a third term while his family traces 250 years of public service to the nation's founding.
- With gas prices reaching roughly $5 per gallon, affordability will dominate the 90-minute debate, where Bennett plans to critique Kean's support for Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and Kean will defend his SALT deduction record.
- Micah Rasmussen of the Rider University Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics noted this debate is a rare unscripted opportunity for candidates, as the district—which includes President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club—remains a key political barometer.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Kean returned to Congress after an unexplained absence. Now it’s time for his first and only debate – WTOP News
Tom Kean Jr., the Republican congressman from New Jersey whose four-month absence from the House this year went unexplained until he disclosed that he was being treated for depression, and Democrat Rebecca Bennett are readying for the first and only campaign debate Sunday night in their closely contested race. The 7th Congressional District, which includes...
Kean returned to Congress after an unexplained absence. Now it's
Tom Kean Jr., the Republican congressman from New Jersey whose four-month absence from the House this year went unexplained until he disclosed that he was being treated for depression , and Democrat Rebecca Bennett are readying for
Kean returned to Congress after an unexplained absence. Now it’s time for his first and only debate
Tom Kean Jr., the Republican congressman from New Jersey whose four-month absence from the House this year went unexplained until he disclosed that he was being treated for depression, and Democrat Rebecca Bennett are readying for the first and only…
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