RANDOLPH - Rebecca Bennett has won the endorsement of the Morris County Democratic Committee.

The party's convention was Sunday, but vote totals for the CD-7 endorsement were not announced until Monday afternoon.

This was no landslide.

A winner must get a majority of votes, and voting continues until that happens with the candidate with the lowest vote total dropping out along the way.

Bennett won on the fifth round, besting Michael Roth.

Bennett had about 52 percent of the vote to 48 percent for Roth.

Others competing at the convention at County College of Morris were Brian Varela, Tina Shah and Megan O'Rourke.

With no more "county line," party endorsements are not as important as they were just a few years ago, but candidates still love to have them.

In what is part of her usual campaign speech, Bennett called incumbent Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr., a "coward" for not standing up to Donald Trump.

The organization's full release below:

Morris County Democrats Announce Convention Results for June 2026 Primary Election

Morristown, NJ — The Morris County Democratic Committee (MCDC) would like to announce that its members have endorsed:

• Cris Russo for Morris County Commissioner (uncontested)
• Rebecca Bennett for the 7th Congressional District
• Analilia Mejia for the 11th Congressional District (uncontested)
• Cory Booker for US Senate

The convention followed a comprehensive screening process conducted by MCDC Screening Committees, including candidate questionnaires, interviews, and public forums.

"Our members heard from an exceptional field today. With ranked choice voting, our endorsements reflect not just enthusiasm, but consensus," said MCDC Chairwoman Darcy Draeger. "We are united, we are energized, and we are proud to endorse Cris Russo, Rebecca Bennett, Analilia Mejia, and Cory Booker."

CD7 Summary:

• Voting period: March 22-23, 2026 (1pm-1pm Eastern Time)
• CD7 Ballots cast: 128 of 144 eligible (89%)

• After 5 rounds of ranked-choice voting, Rebecca Bennett won the Morris County Democratic Committee endorsement for CD7 for the June 2026 primary election.