BRIDGEWATER - A victory by Rebecca Bennett tonight in the CD-7 Democratic Primary quadrupled a sense of consternation among Republicans who tried hard through a PAC to prevent it from happening, while hoping Democrats would finish off the D's best shot to flip this battleground congressional district.

Bennett triumphant deepened a sense of their own nominee's mind-boggling truancy, which had turned into a national story, magnifying the fortunes of an already critical swing district. U.S. Rep. Tom Kean was a nice man, or so ran the conventional wisdom, but "What the hell is he doing?" an angry Republican asked InsiderNJ.

Insider, in fact, had hoped the Republican could clarify would Kean was up to, the extent of his health troubles, and if there was any truth to the rumor that if Bennett won tonight, Kean would simply retire to the family manse and indulge a hobby of bookbinding or butterfly collecting while the rest of the world continues to get its ass kicked.

The GOP source had no ready answer, even as the absent presence that has come to be the substitute of the substance of Kean, issued the following statement: “I am more energized than ever to keep fighting for the people of New Jersey’s 7th District. Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks. At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition. Once again, I appreciate all of the prayers and patience from my constituents and colleagues. I understand the need for transparency on this matter and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public.”

A short time after the issuance of that remark, which hardly gushed with the power or potency of the Great Falls at the Doris Duke estate, Democrats descended on the Green Knoll Grill, a blue collar watering hole, and whooped it up with CD-7 winner Bennett, who early in the campaign season got a rousing hand when she referred to Kean as a coward.

"[Tom] Malinowski blew it, running in CD-11, instead of CD-7," the Republican told InsiderNJ. "Who advised him?"

On the same night, Sue Altman, who ran unsuccessfully against Kean in 2024, was in fourth place in neighboring CD-12 (but it was still volatile over there). Malinowski zigzagged to 11 and Altman leapfrogged to 12, when either one would have stood a better chance sticking it out in 7, the GOP source argued.

But he also conceded that Bennett had unique skills and probably presented Democrats with their best chance at dusting off either Kean or his replacement (because no one knew if Kean would actually run in the general) in a district essentially handcrafted for Kean, with a Republican registration advantage of 20K. President Donald J. Trump was too toxic and already wrapped around Kean like a radioactive octopus, only complicating matters for the absentee incumbent congressman.

"Tom Kean has my complete and total endorsement for reelection," the president said on Monday.

Things were already crummy enough.

Kean needed that endorsement like a toxic mudslide.

Bennett, meanwhile, was partying at the Green Knoll Grill, a boot-stomping romp of a local bar, where just a few months ago, a couple of Trump caddies from his Bedminster golf course complained to InsiderNJ that lugging clubs for the President had become a thankless chore. "The ego's simply out of control," one of the caddies confessed.

The terror among the GOP was that the ego of Kean - whom they wished a full recovery, obviously - would not surmount that of their former golf cart-manic boss, now the supposed leader of the free world, on a landscape positively noxious with the consequences of his presidency.

“Self-serving career politician Tom Kean Jr. has completely betrayed New Jersey by putting himself, Donald Trump, and his D.C. party bosses ahead of his own community," said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene. "Kean Jr. promised one thing on the campaign trail to get elected, but has instead come to embody the very same Washington corruption that he once swore he’d fight against. New Jersey deserves a servant leader like former Navy helicopter pilot and mom Rebecca Bennett, who knows what it means to put the mission first. Rebecca will fight to root out corruption in Washington, expand access to health care, and lower costs for families just like hers. New Jersey voters are ready to fire Kean Jr. and elect Rebecca because they know she will fight for them and their families."