District 7 General Election 2026: Tom Kean Jr.

DISTRICT 7, NJ —District 7's Congressional general election on Nov. 3 has three candidates running for one open seat.

Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. is running against Democrat Rebecca Bennett and Seamus Patrick O'Toole with the "Stop Israel's Genocide" party.

Are you running for office in District 7? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.

Tom Kean Jr.

Age: 58

Town of residence: Westfield

Position sought: Congress in NJ’s 7th District

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife, Rhonda and two daughters, Elizabeth and Meredith

Education: Dartmouth College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

Occupation: Member of Congress

Previous or current elected appointed office: Incumbent Representative for the 7th District, Member of the New Jersey General Assembly (2001-2003), Member of the New Jersey
State Senate (2003-2022)

Campaign website: tomkean.com

Why are you seeking election for Congress?

Throughout my time in Congress, I have delivered real results and worked tirelessly to make New Jersey more affordable and secure, but there is still work left to be done. I took action on property taxes and led the fight to quadruple the SALT deduction cap to $40,000 to deliver meaningful tax relief for our middle-class families. I have constituently stood up for our communities by safeguarding Medicare and Medicaid for all seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities, while fiercely supporting our first responders, law enforcement, and firefighters. I have secured millions in federal dollars for local community projects. These investments have supported public safety departments and efforts through communication upgrades and local infrastructure improvements to roads, sidewalks, and bridges. Projects also included funding for lead service line replacement to improve drinking water quality and stormwater improvement. By listening to local needs, working across the aisle, and running the best constituent services operation in the nation, I remain committed to lowering the cost of living, keeping our neighborhood safe, and ensuring America remains strong both home and abroad.

Costs associated with inflation and the cost of living continue to rise; how do you propose keeping taxes low?

In Congress, I am focused on policies that spur innovation, economic growth, and create good-paying jobs. To strengthen our economy and lower the daily cost of living, we must tackle affordability at its source. That starts with providing real tax
relief like quadrupling the SALT deduction to ease the burden on homeowners and cutting the red tape on the federal level so businesses can grow and keep groceries and goods affordable. Addressing rising costs also requires an all-of-the-above
domestic energy strategy. We must restore American energy independence and become a net exporter again. This will directly drive down costs for fuel and manufacturing, ensuring much needed long-term stability and relief for Americans.

Healthcare access can be a challenge for constituents. How do you propose making this easier for residents?

I am championing practical solutions that expand access and lower out-of-pocket expenses for New Jerseyans. I voted to safeguard Medicare and Medicaid to ensure vital care remains protected and affordable for all intended beneficiaries, including our seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities. I also introduced the Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act earlier this year to ensure that
insurance plans provide the same level of coverage for mental health and substance-use disorders as they do for physical health by empowering federal oversight to hold these companies accountable and guarantee equitable coverage. I
also co-led the bipartisan HELP Copays Act to prevent insurers from driving up prescription drug prices.

Energy concerns have been raised concerning AI data centers. How do you feel about this?

Deciding where large scale infrastructure like a data center belongs should always start from the ground up with local governments, ensuring that local residents and municipal leaders have the final say on what their towns look like. One-size-fits-all mandates do not fit the needs of all New Jersey towns, let alone the entire country. As demand grows, we must also safeguard our local energy grid so these facilities do not drain regional power supplies or drive up utility bills for homeowners.

What other issues do you feel need to be tackled in District 7?

I have made affordability a top priority throughout my time in Congress and will continue fighting to lower the cost of living for families. Hardworking New Jerseyans face some of the highest tax burdens in the country. As a member of the bipartisan SALT Caucus, we provided real relief for every middle-class family in thestate. I led the fight to quadruple the SALT deduction cap to $40,000, putting thousands of dollars back into the pockets of homeowners and families. I will continue to support legislation that cuts burdensome red tape for New Jersey businesses to lower operating costs and spur job creations and support common-sense energy, housing, and fiscal policies that lower everyday expenses.

What is your favorite thing about living in New Jersey?

My favorite thing about living in New Jersey is the people and the sense of community. From our small towns and local traditions to our farms, parks, and beautiful landscape, New Jersey has so much to offer. I love that you can find such a variety of places and experiences across our state, but what makes it special is the pride people have in their communities and the way neighbors show up for one another.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your campaign?

It has been the privilege of my life to serve as your voice in Congress and fight for New Jersey families every single day. As this election approaches, I humbly ask for your vote so we can continue delivering real results for our district. Our work is not
yet done - make your voice heard during early in-person voting from October 24 to November 1, or at the polls on Election Day, November 3.