Representative Thomas Kean Jr., a Republican incumbent from New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District, sought to moderate his alignment with former President Donald Trump during a debate on Sunday in Rahway, N.J., amid a competitive reelection campaign against Democrat Rebecca Bennett. The race, seen as a key battleground in Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the House in November, has grown increasingly contentious, with both candidates highlighting sharply contrasting policy positions.
In his opening remarks, Kean distanced himself from Trump on several local issues, notably opposing the administration’s plan to convert a warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey, into an immigrant detention center. He also expressed opposition to Trump’s proposal to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Kean emphasized his commitment to securing funding for the Hudson River Gateway tunnel project, a critical infrastructure initiative, asserting he would challenge anyone, including Trump, who sought to block financing.
Despite these divergences, Kean maintained support for key Trump policies. He defended the former president’s use of tariffs, arguing they were justified measures to reduce consumer costs. On foreign policy, he signaled continued alignment with Trump’s stance, particularly regarding the situation in Iran.
Kean’s Democratic opponent, Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, challenged his long-standing loyalty to Trump, highlighting his votes to cut Medicaid funding and raise tariffs. Bennett also scrutinized Kean’s financial transparency, referencing his active stock portfolio and critique over failing to place his assets in a blind trust, as he had pledged upon entering Congress. She acknowledged selling her individual stocks before campaigning but declined to disclose her net worth.
The debate marked Kean’s first public forum since returning from a four-month absence due to treatment for depression. When questioned about his lack of public communication during his hospitalization, he characterized it as an unplanned medical emergency. Bennett expressed support for his recovery but did not press for further details regarding his fitness for office.
On foreign policy, Bennett called for a clear strategy to end the conflict in Iran, underscoring concerns over the impact on gas prices and the economic burden on constituents. She linked increased fuel costs directly to ongoing hostilities, framing her campaign’s focus on lowering living expenses. After the debate, Bennett criticized Kean’s effectiveness in preventing Trump’s obstruction of Gateway tunnel funding.
Kean, 58, underscored his political experience and bolstered his pro-Israel credentials, including support for deploying U.S. troops if necessary. He sought to portray Bennett as a predictable Democratic party-line voter, suggesting she lacked independent judgment as a first-time candidate.
Both campaigns have attracted significant outside spending, with Republican-aligned groups investing heavily in Kean’s advertising efforts. According to ad tracking data, Kean and his allies have recorded nearly $17.4 million in ad buys compared with approximately $4.9 million from Democratic groups.
Following the debate, Kean departed swiftly with family members and aides, declining to elaborate on his stated differences with Trump amid the closely watched House contest in a district that has shifted between parties multiple times since 2018.