MOUNTAIN LAKES - Analilia Mejia is not running against Tom Kean Jr.

But she came to Wednesday night's Morris County Democratic fundraiser with a Tom Kean story.

Mejia got to the House after winning a special CD-11 election in April. That's when Kean was away from Congress suffering from what he later said was depression.

When Kean returned in late June, Mejia said she introduced herself to Kean, her new colleague from nearby CD-7.

She also asked him if he would support paid family leave, especially after he had just benefited from it. She said she told him he could be a "hero."

Mejia related that Kean "mumbled something" and then said nothing more.

In a partisan gathering, the 150 or so people on hand got the point - Tom Kean is not representing all the people of CD-7.

I reached out to Kean's office for his take on his interaction with Mejia. If there is a reply, I will report it.

More broadly, the event at The Mansion banquet hall was a highlight of the campaign season for the Morris Dems.

Rebecca Bennett, who is challenging Kean in CD-7, was in the house.

As were two national elected officials - Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota and Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois.

Underwood, not surprisingly, condemned Kean as someone who is a "rubber stamp" for Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump.

Smith, who is relinquishing her Senate seat, said both Mejia and Bennett are "fighters," which is what Congress needs.

She asked Bennett how she feels to be in the middle of one of the most consequential House races in the country.

That's not hyperbole.

CD-7, which ranges over six counties in northern New Jersey, is the most competitive race in the state.

As such, besides Smith and Underwood, we have seen appearances by Hakeem Jeffries, Jamie Raskin and Pete Buttigieg on Bennett's behalf.

Kean, who likes operating behind the curtain, has had Speaker Johnson visit the district at least twice for private events.

As for the national figures popping up, Bennett saId:

"They know what we know. The path to taking back the House runs right through this district."