U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and challenger Rebecca Bennett debate Sunday evening in Rahway. Photo by Aidan Vanhoof/NJ State House News Service.
By Aidan Vanhoof
NJ State House News Service
RAHWAY, N.J. – Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett clashed over American aid to Israel, affordability and money in politics during their only scheduled debate in one of the nation’s most competitive house races Sunday night.
In stark contrast with Bennett, Kean, in one of few campaign appearances following his four-month absence to receive depression treatment, doubled down on his support for the Trump administration’s policies on tariffs, foreign wars, competition with China and immigration.
Although both candidates for the 7th Congressional District said they supported a two-state solution in the Middle East, Kean expressed explicit support for Israeli fighting in Palestine and said he was open to sending American troops to assist. Bennett disagreed with Kean, Netanyahu’s policy and the ongoing war.
“I have deployed to the Middle East, I have seen firsthand how important Israel is as an ally to the United States, certainly from an intelligence perspective,” said Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot. “I think we need to work towards long-term peace and stability in the region. I think what the Netanyahu administration is doing is not in the best long-term interests of Israel, just like what I think the Trump administration is doing is not in the best long-term interests of the United States.”
Bennett argued Kean’s policy positions stem from personal financial gain, often referencing his own investment history and corporate campaign donations. However, Bennett repeatedly declined to state her own net worth when asked, promising after the debate to release financial details on a later date.
Kean stated his net worth was about $10 million.
“He is choosing to put his personal financial interests and the interests of his donors over the interests of the people in his district,” Bennet said.
Kean also criticized a plan to build an ICE detention facility in Roxbury — his first time taking a stand on the controversial issue.
“I oppose that warehouse being located in that town,” Kean said.
The debate heated up over the Big Beautiful Bill. Bennett staunchly criticized it, framing the bill as a driver of high costs of living. Kean claimed the polar opposite, touting perceived economic growth through significant tax cuts.
“That bill jumpstarted the economy, focused on affordability, and made sure to stand up against foreign countries in a new and integrated way,” Kean said.
Bennett focused heavily on affordability, pushing against President Trump’s tariffs, tax cuts, the war in Iran, while drilling repeated support for a public healthcare option. Kean doubled down on support for ongoing Trump administration policies.
“Our healthcare system is not working. It is not working for patients, it is not working for providers,” said Bennett.
Both candidates said Iran should not be able to build a nuclear weapon. But Bennett said Kean and Congress have failed the voters of the district, and are putting service members at risk in a costly war with no clear endgame.
“This Congress has absolutely abdicated its duty … what this war is doing is making us less safe and less secure .. and raising the cost of living at home,” she said.
No other debates have been scheduled, as ballots have been mailed out and early voting begins Oct. 24 and Election Day is Nov. 3.
Aidan Vanhoof is a journalism major at Rowan University.
