The last-minute investment by House Majority PAC, or HMP, is the first major investment by a national Democratic organ in Altman’s bid to unseat first-term Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R), the son of a popular former governor of the Garden State.
The group’s decision to jump in ― aided by a $500,000 contribution from the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s main teachers union ― speaks to Democrats’ confidence in their other candidates’ standing in neighboring New York, where many of the country’s most pivotal House races are.
“Sue Altman is proud of her pro-choice record, proud to stand with working families and proud to push back against the hate and harm of Project 2025,” Sean Spiller, president of the NJEA, said in a statement. “Her opponent is hiding from voters because he knows the Trump agenda is not what voters in CD7 want but he’s too scared to stand up for them. That’s why we are proud to partner with the House Majority PAC to help make sure CD7 elects Sue Altman.”
The election in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District between incumbent Kean, Jr. and challenger Altman is extremely close according to the Monmouth University Poll. Kean has the edge on a number of issues, including the economy, immigration, and crime while Altman has a large advantage on abortion policy.
Among all registered voters in the district, 46% will definitely (31%) or probably (15%) vote for Kean and 44% will definitely (32%) or probably (12%) vote for Altman. [Note: Just over 1 in 10 voters report already casting their ballots. They are included among “definite” supporters for their chosen candidate.] Another 10% of registered voters do not have a preference between the two. Also, just 37% say they will definitely not vote for Kean and 38% will definitely not vote for Altman – which gives both candidates the potential to pick up support in the final weeks of the campaign.
“The level of support for each candidate may be equal right now, but there is more than enough room for one of them to break away. There is a sizable undecided vote and both candidates have relatively high ceilings for their potential vote share,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Last week, Altman for Congress released new internal polling showing a statistical tie in the race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional district, with Altman trailing incumbent Republican Congressman Kean, Jr. by only two points.
You get the feeling Tom Kean Jr. believes polls that say the CD-7 race has gotten very close.
His most recent TV ad is a full-scale attack on opponent Sue Altman, an individual he is now calling “Radical Sue.”
The point here is easy to digest:
Altman, who rose to public visibility as a leader of the left-leaning New Jersey Working Families Party, is too extreme for a mostly suburban district that covers at least parts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.
To gist of the ad is the following voiceover:
“What is the definition of a radical? In New Jersey, it’s Sue Altman. Radical Sue backed tax hikes, defunding the police, and supports decriminalizing all drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. Radical Sue attacked cops and firefighters – even moderate Democrats. Because Sue Altman’s no centrist. She’s a radical, liberal activist, who threatens your future. “
Insider NJ recently reported that National Democrats are throwing their support behind challenger Amy Kennedy in an effort to unseat incumbent Republican Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District. This move comes as a surprise to many, as Van Drew famously switched parties last year to become a Republican after previously being a Democrat.
The decision to support Kennedy over Van Drew is seen as a strategic move by National Democrats, who are eager to regain control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming election. Kennedy, a former teacher and mental health advocate, has been gaining momentum in the race and is seen as a strong contender against Van Drew.
One of the main reasons for the National Democrats’ support of Kennedy is their dissatisfaction with Van Drew’s decision to switch parties. Many Democrats feel betrayed by Van Drew’s decision to align himself with the Republican Party, especially after he had previously been a vocal critic of President Trump.
In addition to their support for Kennedy, National Democrats are also backing Brigid Callahan Harrison in her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Chris Smith in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District. Harrison, a professor and political commentator, is seen as a progressive candidate who could help Democrats gain ground in the traditionally conservative district.
Overall, the support of National Democrats for Kennedy and Harrison signals a shift in strategy as they seek to flip key congressional seats in New Jersey. With the election just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how these endorsements impact the outcome of the races in November.
