U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-7) of Westfield has won reelection in New Jersey’s most competitive congressional district.
Kean defeated Democratic challenger Sue Altman, who ran a spirited campaign against the reclusive Republican.
Altman’s Somerset and Union incursions didn’t go deep enough to reverse Kean margins in Hunterdon, Morris, and Warren in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by 20K votes.
From InsiderNJ reporter Fred Snowflack, in Altman’s headquarters at 10:15 p.m.:
With now 82 percent of the vote counted, Tom Kean has moved out to a lead of about 15,000 votes.
This may be too much for Altman to overcome.
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In a closely watched race, Tom Kean Jr. has secured reelection in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Kean, a Republican, narrowly defeated his Democratic challenger in a race that was seen as a bellwether for the upcoming midterm elections.
Kean, who has represented the district since 2019, ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and economic growth. He touted his record of working across party lines to deliver results for his constituents, including securing funding for infrastructure projects and supporting small businesses.
His opponent, a first-time candidate, focused on issues such as healthcare and education, arguing that Kean’s policies were out of touch with the needs of working families in the district. Despite a strong grassroots campaign and endorsements from prominent Democrats, the challenger was unable to overcome Kean’s incumbency advantage.
The race was closely watched by political analysts and pundits, who saw it as a test of the political climate in New Jersey heading into the 2022 midterm elections. Kean’s victory is seen as a boost for Republicans in the state, who are hoping to make gains in Congress and potentially retake control of the House of Representatives.
In his victory speech, Kean thanked his supporters and pledged to continue fighting for the interests of the people of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation in Washington, saying that he would work with members of both parties to address the pressing issues facing the country.
Overall, Kean’s reelection victory is a significant win for Republicans in New Jersey and a sign that the political landscape in the state may be shifting ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. It remains to be seen how this result will impact other races in the state and across the country, but for now, Kean can celebrate his hard-fought victory and look ahead to another term representing his constituents in Congress.
