BERKELEY HEIGHTS - Before Friday night's CD-7 Democratic forum began, a moment of silence was held for Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.

That certainly captured the mood of Democrats these days in the aftermath of Wednesday's incident. And not surprisingly, the first question for the seven Dems seeking to challenge Thomas H. Kean Jr. this fall was about immigration.

In alphabetical order, the CD-7 candidates are Beth Adubato, Rebecca Bennett, Megan O'Rourke, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, Sara Sooy and Brian Varela.

The forum in the cafeteria of a local office building attracted more than 100 people, a good turnout on a Friday night. It was sponsored by the Democratic Clubs of Berkeley Heights and Springfield. Democratic committees from Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, New Providence, Springfield, Summit, and Watchung were co-sponsors.

Perspective is tough in these polarizing times. You often hear talk of "Comprehensive immigration reform," but attempts to fashion such a thing have gone nowhere.

Still, it's not an issue that can be ignored. The candidates spoke in an order determined by draw.

First up was O'Rourke, a climate scientist. She stressed the need for overall reform, but more specifically condemned the practice of ICE agents wearing masks.

Abubato, a former journalist and now criminal justice professor, went further. She said ICE should be abolished.

Roth, a former Small Business Administration (SBA) head during the Biden Administration, noted that his grandparents came to the U.S. as refugees who survived the Holocaust. He said, "We need to be a country of heart."

He also criticized reports - so far not detailed - about a possible ICE holding facility in Roxbury, which is in the district.

Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, spoke of the Minnesota incident as being "beyond the pale." proving that ICE needs better oversight. She also used her opening statement to present some humor, saying it may seem the case, but it really is not a requirement for Navy helicopter pilots to run for political office in New Jersey.

Varela, a businessman and party activist, said simply that Kristi Noem should be impeached as head of the Homeland Security Department. He, too, brought up the Roxbury facility and said he was one of the leaders of a recent protest in the township against it.

Shah, a physician, said ICE needs to be scaled back, She also said that the nation's current climate is causing stress for many.

Sooy, a Somerset County commissioner, spoke about the "blatant racism"

that envelopes some of what ICE does.

As the forum moved on to such things as health care and climate change, a familiar pattern developed.

Everyone agreed - at least on the basics, meaning there was support for universal health care and a strong commitment to reversing the anti-environmental policies of the Trump administration.

This is common. The candidates, after all, share the same basic philosophy. One often sees a similar phenomenon at Republican gatherings of primary candidates.

That made one of the last questions a good one. Just how fo you plan to beat Kean, who for the record has been elected twice.

Again, the following in the order in which the candidates spoke.

Sooy said she can win tough races, pointing to her success in Somerset, adding that the county is 20 percent of the district. (CD-7 covers at least parts of Somerset, Union, Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris counties, an awfully large swath of territory by NJ standards).

O'Rouke, who hails from very "red" Warren County, said she can appeal to Republicans and that her team includes operatives skilled in helping Dems win on GOP terrain.

Adubato said Kean can be an easy target, describing him as a "nepo-baby" who has never had a real job.

Roth said he would rely on what he did working for the SBA, a record of delivering millions of dollars in aid to small businesses.

Bennett said her military background would be a big plus, noting that it can be worth as much as six points in an election.

Varela said he's already doing what is needed to win, mentioning his support from 38 local Democratic leaders.

Shah said that as a doctor, she's accustomed to helping people regardless of political affiliation. She will do the same in reaching out to voters.

One other note.

During the forum, Bennett said that of all the congressional districts in the country represented by Republicans, New Jersey's CD-7 has the most college graduates.

That's something to chew on.