RATINGS CHANGE: Inside Elections Shifts NJ-07 to Tilt Democratic As GOP Panics Over M.I.A. Tom Kean Jr.
June 11, 2026, 4:16 pm | in
🚨 RATINGS CHANGE: Inside Elections Shifts NJ-07 to Tilt Democratic As GOP Panics Over M.I.A. Tom Kean Jr.
Non-partisan race rater: “The longer his absence persists, the more difficult it will be for Republicans to hold on here”
Non-partisan race rater Inside Elections just shifted New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District in Democrats’ direction in the latest sign that career politician Tom Kean Jr. is more vulnerable than ever.
Inside Elections moved NJ-07 into their “Tilt Democratic” category, signaling for the first time that Democrats have taken a clear advantage – citing strong nominee former Navy helicopter pilot and mom of two Rebecca Bennett, and mounting questions surrounding Kean Jr.
Former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett led Kean by 4 points, 47-43 percent, in a poll conducted May 24-26 by Z to A Research on behalf of 314 Action, a Democratic super PAC.
Kean hasn’t been seen or cast a vote in three months, with little explanation from his staff other than to say he’s recovering from a medical issue.
[...] the longer his absence persists, the more difficult it will be for Republicans to hold on here. Move from Toss-up to Tilt Democratic.
DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin:
“Career politician Tom Kean Jr. has never been more vulnerable. He will be held accountable for betraying New Jersey families and for the damage he has inflicted when he’s actually been in Washington to vote.”