New Jersey Congressional Candidates Clash Over Iran War, Tariffs
Republican Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Rebecca Bennett debated foreign policy and economic issues in their closely watched House race.
New Jersey Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett clashed Sunday over foreign policy and economic issues in their first and only debate before the November midterm elections. The race is in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a swing district that has changed party control in each of the past two midterm elections.
Kean defended President Donald Trump's tariffs and the administration's decision to launch attacks on Iran, stating that the country "could not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon." He has previously voted against resolutions aimed at halting military action in Iran. "I think when you look at what Iran's terrorist leadership says — they say death to America. They have as their goal a nuclear weapon," Kean said during the debate.
Bennett, a Navy veteran, criticized the economic impact of Trump's policies, urging an end to the conflict in Iran and calling on Congress to rein in the president's use of tariffs on imports. "We need to end the war in Iran," Bennett stated. "The reason that we are seeing this increase in our gas prices is because of this unnecessary war."
The district, which includes Trump's Bedminster golf club, is a focal point for campaign spending. Republicans are seeking to defend their narrow House majority amid an environment where Trump's approval ratings are low and gas prices are high.
Kean, a former state legislator, is seeking his third term. He faced scrutiny earlier this year for a four-month absence from the House, which he later explained was due to treatment for depression. He returned in June.
Bennett, a former Navy pilot and healthcare executive, is a political newcomer. She won a competitive primary election and is considered a more moderate candidate.
Millions of dollars have been invested in the race. A super PAC aligned with President Trump has pledged to spend more than $3 million to support Kean, while a Democratic political action committee has allocated approximately $2.5 million for television advertisements in the New York market to aid Bennett and another Democratic candidate in a New York district.
Following the 2020 census redistricting, Kean's district became slightly more Republican. Despite this, Democrats view it as a key pickup opportunity. Kean won his seat in 2022 by defeating incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski.