There already are a number of Democrats seeking the privilege of challenging Thomas H. Kean Jr. in CD-7.

But it is the most recent entry that has gotten Kean's attention.

"Biden–Obama insider just jumped into the race for NJ-07," is the alarming headline on Kean's latest fundraising appeal.

The candidate prompting that response is Tina Shah, a physician who has served as a senior advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Director of Clinician Wellbeing at the VA. during the Obama and Biden administrations.

Shah, who is triple board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonology, and critical care medicine, now practices at RWJ Barnabas Health.

"Meanwhile, career politicians like Tom Kean Jr. are doing nothing to lower healthcare costs or improve access to care. Instead, Kean Jr. is dodging his constituents while casting the deciding vote to cut Medicaid and attacking access to essential care, including abortion, in New Jersey," is part of what Shah said in announcing her candidacy.

That type of rhetoric is expected and does not raise eyebrows.

What got the attention of Team Kean was this social media message from Shah.

"WE ARE DOING IT!!! Just feeling humbled here. We blew our wildest expectations out of the water and raised $260K in 24 hours. Thank you ... for all your support, comments and DMs. You just helped place me as the likely frontrunner in the race, and that is one step closer to bringing science and sanity to Congress."

Kean's take was a bit different. On Shah's day one fundraising prowess, his campaign said:

"On DAY ONE, she raked in $260,000 from the Radical Liberal machine. That’s not grassroots momentum - that’s a warning shot: National Democrats are coming for NJ-07."

Of course, national Democrats have been coming for CD-7 since Kean was elected in 2022. The sprawling district that ranges over at least parts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties remains the only true competitive district in the state. Kean beat then-incumbent Tom Malinowski in 2022 and challenger Sue Altman last year.

In his appeal for money, the Kean campaign added:

"This is the opening bell. The fight starts NOW."

Others seeking the Democratic nomination in CD-7 are Michael Roth, Brian Varela, Rebecca Bennett and Greg Vartan.

The midterm election is more than a year away, but OneNJ7, a progressive leaning group, plans to hold a series of virtual meetings with the Democratic hopefuls beginning next week.