Rebecca Bennett and Tom Kean Jr. clash in New Jersey congressional race

Democratic candidate Rebecca Bennett is campaigning for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District with a focus on raising the national minimum wage to $25 per hour to address the cost-of-living crisis. While Bennett frames this as a necessity for families, critics point to economic studies suggesting such a mandate could result in the loss of millions of jobs nationwide.

In response to Bennett’s rising poll numbers, Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. is reportedly testing negative campaign strategies. A poll commissioned by the Kean campaign or allied PACs has been used to test various accusations against Bennett, including claims that her policies would increase childcare costs, reduce military and law enforcement funding, or implement a radical wage mandate that eliminates jobs. Bennett, a military veteran, has not indicated support for cutting law enforcement funding.