Democrats Nominate Bennett, Hamawy in New Jersey House Primaries

Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic primary for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. The district is considered a battleground seat currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. News projected Bennett's victory shortly after polls closed.

Multiple outlets reported the outcome within hours of the projection. Bennett previously served as a Navy helicopter pilot.

7th District Race She will face Rep.

Tom Kean Jr. in the November general election. The 7th District race has drawn attention because of its competitive status. >"Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, has won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, NBC News projects, setting up a general election campaign against Republican Rep.

Hamawy locked down the nomination for the seat, which covers a large area of central New Jersey from Trenton to Plainfield, with 28.1 percent of the vote, per DDHQ. His closest opponent, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, came in at 14.9 percent. The nominee previously served in the New Jersey Army National Guard, spending time in Iraq as a combat trauma surgeon.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth wrote on social platform X that Hamawy is "Army Veteran. Former combat surgeon. " Beyond an endorsement from Duckworth, Hamawy has garnered support from many progressive stalwarts, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen.

Bernie Sanders. The winner in November will replace outgoing Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who has served in her seat since 2015.