Democrat Rebecca Bennett defeats incumbent Tom Kean Jr in New Jersey

Democrat Rebecca Bennett has defeated incumbent Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race for Bennett at 9:48 p.m. Eastern, according to the Washington Examiner. NBC News, Reuters, WHYY, the New Jersey Monitor, and the New York Post also reported that Bennett defeated Kean. The victory flips a key seat for Democrats as they seek control of the House of Representatives. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

The Washington Examiner and the New York Post reported differing vote totals as the results came in. The Washington Examiner said Bennett held roughly 60% of the vote to Kean's 38% with 65% of ballots counted. The New York Post reported that Kean trailed Bennett by 37% to 62% as of 9:45 p.m. Eastern. [1][2]

The race was highly competitive following Kean's prolonged absence from Congress earlier in the year, according to the Washington Examiner, the New York Post, and NBC News. The Washington Examiner and NBC News reported that Kean was absent for months due to treatment for depression. The New York Post reported that Kean disappeared for four months without explanation before later stating that depression was the cause. [1][2][4]

Bennett is a 39-year-old former Navy pilot, the Washington Examiner reported. Kean, who is 57 years old, has served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 7th congressional district since 2023. He previously served in the New Jersey Senate from 2003 to 2022 and in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2001 to 2003. According to the New York Post, Kean is part of a political dynasty dating back to William Livingston, who served as the first governor of New Jersey in 1776. [1][2][8]