By Megan O’Rourke, former NJ Congressional District 7 Candidate

On Wednesday night, I watched the NJ Globe’s Congressional District 7 Democratic Debate replayed on YouTube. Until about six weeks ago, I had been in the race myself. I ran because we don’t need more out-of-touch politicians. 

Unfortunately, out-of-touch was on full display during the debate except for one candidate: Rebecca Bennett. 

Around the 30-minute mark, the moderator pushed candidates to reveal something new about themselves and how they see the world. He asked them, “What should a household of four be earning a year to be considered middle class in New Jersey and be able to afford to live a middle-class lifestyle?”

Brian Varela answered, “I’d say about $300,000.” Michael Roth estimated, “About 200 to $250,000.” Tina Shah guessed, “My number is 250.” Finally, Rebecca Bennett, a mom like myself who budgets for her family, quoted a number closer to the lived experience in District 07. She said, “In the 150 ballpark.” 

I learned that I was supposedly not in the middle class according to the majority of our Congressional District 7 Democratic candidates. But, the truth is, I live a good life and can afford what I need. I was appalled by the perceptions of three quarters of our candidates.

NJ Congressional District 7 is one of the wealthiest districts in the country, but not that wealthy. As a kid growing up in Warren County in the 90’s, I thought anyone making above six figures was rich. These days, a median household income in the district is around $132k; half of households make more and half make less. Only 31% of households in the district make more than $200k.

What Brian, Michael, and Tina quoted represents the experiences of typical representatives in Congress, not the people they represent. In 2021, over 50% of our congressional representatives had net worths over $1 million. Their average net worth is over $9 million because a handful of extremely wealthy individuals skew the average up, including our very own Congressional District 7 Representative, Tom Kean Jr., whose wealth clocks in around $14 million.

We need more congressional representatives on both sides of the aisle who understand what it means to be poor, working class, and middle class. I’d prefer that they have lived experience. After all, that’s most of us.

The NJ Globe debate reinforced that most of our Democratic candidates are out of touch with financial realities. Rebecca Bennett with her 2010 Honda Accord showed us that she gets it.