Democrat Rebecca Bennett Wins NJ-7 Primary, Will Face Incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in Toss-Up Race

Rebecca Bennett won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, CBS News projects. She will face GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the November general election. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race a toss-up.

The outcome will help determine which party controls the House for the final two years of President Trump's second term. Kean won the seat in 2022 after redistricting made the district more favorable to Republicans. President Trump endorsed Kean on Monday, saying he is "working tirelessly" to achieve his priorities.

Kean has been absent from Congress since March. He last voted on March 5. " Kean's father, former New Jersey Gov. " "It took a real illness to knock him out," Kean Sr. said. "This won't linger. It's not some kind of disease that's going to incapacitate him in the future.

In a May 21 phone interview with the New Jersey Globe, Kean offered few details about the medical issue and reiterated that he is running for a third term. On Tuesday, his campaign issued a statement saying he was focusing on recovery and would return to Washington in several weeks. "I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks," Kean said.

Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, defeated three Democratic opponents to secure the nomination.