Rebecca Bennett

A former Navy helicopter pilot and Naval Test Pilot School graduate, Bennett won the June 2 primary to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr., whose roughly four-month absence from Congress has become a central campaign issue. Mid-October reporting describes the race as tilting her way.

On the ballot against Tom Kean Jr. (R)

Why it matters: Kean's seat narrowly backed President Trump in 2024, and this close race is being watched as part of the fight for control of the House.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingLean DCook Political Report, Sep 25 source

Latest poll Bennett 47% 42% Kean 11% undecided or other Bennett +5StimSight Research, Sep 14. Checked 32 min ago. Every poll

Money raised (through Sep 30) Bennett$8,193,416 Kean$5,867,419 $1,729,652 cash on hand. source

Every poll in this race

Pollster	Date	Sample	Bennett	Kean	Margin
StimSight Research	Sep 14	498 LV · Margin of error ±4.7%	47%	42%	D +5

LV = likely voters, RV = registered voters. Polls listed by 270toWin. Each pollster name links to its own release.

In Rebecca's own words

In Congress, I am committed to fighting to pass commonsense legislation to keep our kids safe and get weapons of war off of our streets

Rebecca Bennett, at a gun safety roundtable with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in Somerville, Oct 8 source

I deployed to the Middle East and put my life on the line for this country.

Rebecca Bennett, in a campaign statement on Kean's vote on the Iran war, Sep 16 source

Where Rebecca stands

Cost of living: She wants to ease the strain that inflation and rising living costs put on working families. source
Health care costs: She wants to bring down health care costs and opposes efforts to take coverage away from New Jersey families. source
Gun safety: A former Navy pilot, she says weapons of war do not belong on American streets and backs commonsense gun laws. source
Veterans: Drawing on more than a decade as a Navy helicopter pilot, she pledges to advocate for veterans and military families. source
Environment and energy: She wants to address climate change by investing in renewable energy, which she says will create jobs and lower energy costs. source

The record

Navy helicopter pilot for more than a decade; attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
Former Air National Guard officer and health-care business leader
Won the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary with about 45% in a four-way field

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Tom Kean Jr.

At the Sept. 27 debate, Kean defended President Trump's tariffs, saying the president is using them to reduce costs for consumers. source
Kean was absent from Congress from March through June while hospitalized and treated for what he has said was depression. source
Kean has kept strong support for President Trump's policies on the war with Iran, while opposing a plan to turn a Roxbury, N.J., warehouse into an ICE detention center. source

Endorsed by

NJ State AFL-CIO NJEA VoteVets National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare Adam Kinzinger

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3

Race data checked Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.