By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-flip-new-jersey-house-seat-held-by-republican-tom-kean Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Democrats flip New Jersey House seat held by Republican Tom Kean Politics Nov 3, 2026 10:22 PM EST 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE: Watch Live | Poll Closing Times | All Live Results | Live Updates | Live Fact Check Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, on Tuesday defeated two-term Rep. Tom Kean, who missed four months of votes in Washington this year as he underwent treatment for depression, a diagnosis he did not disclose until his return. Bennett sought to tap into public discontent over rising prices, urged an end to the Iran war and called on Congress to rein in President Donald Trump's use of import tariffs. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Kean represents a battleground district that includes Trump's Bedminster golf…
Democrats flip New Jersey House seat held by Republican Tom Kean
In short
Bennett built her winning platform around calls to curb consumer prices, end the war in Iran, and restrict presidential authority regarding import tariffs. Her opponent, Rep. Tom Kean, faced political headwinds after missing four months of congressional votes this year while receiving treatment for depression, a condition he disclosed only upon returning to Washington. The loss ends the tenure of a lawmaker hailing from a prominent state dynasty that includes a former governor, a congressman, and a senator. This critical New Jersey district has now changed party control across three consecutive midterm election cycles.
Key points
- The victory by Rebecca Bennett marks another partisan turnover for a battleground seat th…: The victory by Rebecca Bennett marks another partisan turnover for a battleground seat that flipped in the two prior midterm cycles.
- Economic concerns and trade policy served as central pillars of Bennett's successful chal…: Economic concerns and trade policy served as central pillars of Bennett's successful challenge against the incumbent representative.
- The defeat unseats a member of an established New Jersey political family spanning four g…: The defeat unseats a member of an established New Jersey political family spanning four generations of elected officials.