New Jersey Democrats to pick House nominee Tuesday in district with absent GOP incumbent

The district includes suburban communities and agricultural land. It was redrawn after the most recent census to favor Republicans.

Primary field and campaign issues The Democratic candidates are Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot; Michael Roth, a former Small Business Administration official; Tina Shah, an intensive care unit doctor; and Brian Varela, a businessman backed by progressive groups.

Each candidate has raised more than one million dollars. Democrats are focusing on rising costs of groceries and gasoline. They link those costs to the Iran war and tariffs, and they criticize the incumbent's support for tax-cut legislation.

Incumbent's absence The incumbent's last recorded vote was in early March.

Aides have confirmed the lawmaker intends to seek a third term despite the absence, which the lawmaker described last month on X as a personal medical issue. The district has changed party hands twice in the past decade.

Additional primaries Voters will also decide a Republican Senate primary featuring attorney Justin Murphy, surgeon Robert Lebovics, Army veteran Richard Tabor, and former TV reporter Alex Zdan. The winner will face Democratic Senator Cory Booker. Other House contests include a Republican primary in the 9th District and a Democratic primary in the 12th District, where Rep.

Bonnie Watson is retiring.