Tom Kean Jr., the Republican congressman from New Jersey, and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett participated in their first and only debate on September 27, 2026, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The debate addressed Kean's support for President Donald Trump's tariffs and military actions in Iran, as well as rising prices affecting constituents.
Kean defended Trump's protectionist economic policies and military actions, stating that Iran's leadership poses a threat to the U.S. and that military action is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He said, "I think when you look at what Iran's terrorist leadership says — they say death to America. They have as their goal a nuclear weapon."
Bennett, a Navy veteran, criticized the ongoing conflict in Iran and its impact on gas prices, asserting that the war is unnecessary and calling for an end to it. She stated, "We need to end the war in Iran. The reason that we are seeing this increase in our gas prices is because of this unnecessary war."
On the topic of tariffs, Kean maintained that they are within the president's authority, while Bennett argued that Congress should intervene.
Kean is seeking a third term in the 7th Congressional District, which has seen changing party control in previous elections. He returned to Congress in June after a four-month absence due to hospitalization for depression, during which he missed over 100 votes. Bennett, a political newcomer and former Navy pilot, won her primary in June and is viewed as a moderate candidate.
The race has attracted significant financial support, with a super PAC linked to Trump planning to spend over $3 million to assist Kean, while a Democratic PAC has allocated about $2.5 million for ads in the New York market to support Bennett.
Kean previously won his seat by defeating Democrat Tom Malinowski in 2022, who had taken the position from Republican Leonard Lance in 2018.