Bennett: 'They Know I'm Going to Kick His Ass'
HACKETTSTOWN - Rebecca Bennett had just finished her stump speech at a Friday evening "Meet and Greet" here when the first question got to the point.
"What about all that crap I'm getting in the mail?" someone asked.
The four-person Democratic primary in CD-7 has turned nasty with Bennett under attack on two fronts - a group called Real Change PAC and one of her opponents, Tina Shah.
A recent mailing from Shah's campaign links Bennett to, of all people, Ted Cruz. That's because she grew up in Texas and originally registered as a Republican.
Another from Real Change alleges that Bennett "stands with ICE."
Bennett told about 25 people gathered in a private home in this Warren County town that:
"It is ridiculous. It's not true."
She said the PAC, which she defined as a Republican group, and Shah, a Democrat, were basically coming at her for the same reason - polls show her leading the race.
Bennett said that her campaign website now includes a "check the facts" section that rebuffs the attacks against her.
The other two candidates in the June 2 primary, Michael Roth and Brian Varela, have so far stayed away from any attacks.
Bennett said she needs her supporters and other fair-minded individuals to push back against the negativity coming her way. The audience included Charles Boddy, the Warren County Democratic chair.
Shah aside, Bennett said she has no doubts why a Republican PAC is meddling in a Democratic primary. She said, a bit boldly:
"They are terrified of me being the general election candidate running against Tom Kean Jr in November, because they know I'm going to kick his ass."
