Somerset County Democrats Endorse Robinson and Bennett for Historic Veterans Ticket for House at Convention

Convention Also Supports Incumbents Senator Booker, Commissioners Drake and Graner for Reelection

For immediate release: March 18, 2026

Somerset, NJ — The Somerset County Democratic Organization (SCDO) held its annual nominating convention today at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Franklin Township. In both contested US House primaries, the party endorsed women who served in the United States Armed Forces: Air Force Veteran and Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson in the 12^th District and Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett in the 7^th District. The convention also endorsed incumbents Senator Cory Booker and Commissioners Paul Drake and Liz Graner for reelection by acclamation.

“Somerset County is ground zero in the battle to win back the Congress to hold Trump and his testosterone laden lunatics to account, and we are doing our part with Senator Booker and two women veterans in Director Shanel Robinson and Rebecca Bennett leading the fight,” said SCDO Chair Peg Schaffer. “We have never had a stronger ticket top to bottom, and Somerset County Democrats are going to deliver a Blue Tsunami from the smallest town to the United States Senate.

Commissioner Director Robinson was endorsed with 100 votes, 95% of those cast, a result borne out of her many years of delivering great government for her constituents no matter their zip code, background, or income. Robinson’s trailblazing career includes serving as the first Black woman to lead the Somerset County Board of Commissioners. Her tenure at the County has been marked by significant advancements in public health, infrastructure, education and job training and economic development. As a former Air Force Avionics Guidance and Control Specialist and a Flight Leader, she credits her military background for the discipline and "service before self" mentality she brings to every role and will bring to the US House.

“I want to thank the Somerset County Democrats for putting their faith in me once again, and I will do everything possible to return that faith,” said Director Robinson. “I have been proud to serve the residents of Somerset County as Franklin’s Deputy Mayor and the County’s Commissioner Director, and I look forward to bringing the same success, commitment, and service to the House when elected in November.”

CD7 candidate Rebecca Bennett of Bridgewater, NJ was recommended by the Somerset County Democrats’ screening committee, and won the endorsement with a decisive 80 votes. She was followed by Brian Varela with 29, Michael Roth with 25, Meghan O’Rourke with 12, and Tina Shaw with 2. Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare business leader with an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and is running for Congress to continue her lifetime of the service that began in high school ROTC.

“I am honored to have earned the support of Chairwoman Peg Schaffer and the Somerset County Democratic Committee,” said Rebecca Bennett. “Somerset County is my home. It’s where I’m raising my two girls, and where my family is facing the same challenges as families across this district. I’m grateful to have the Somerset County Democrats with us as we continue to build on this momentum and flip this seat in November.”

“We are extremely thrilled at our historic House ticket this primary with two women candidates who are Somerset County residents, US military veterans and committed leaders,” said Somerset County Federation of Democratic Women chair Roberta Walters.