Incumbent Thomas Kean Jr. (R) and Rebecca Bennett (D) are running in the general election to represent New Jersey's 7th Congressional District on Nov. 3.

New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein writes, "New Jersey’s 7th district is one of the most competitive in the nation and could be pivotal to determining which party controls the House next year.  Kean flipped the seat in 2022 by three points when he ousted two-term Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes); President Donald Trump won NJ-7 by one point in 2024, and [Democratic] Gov. Mikie Sherrill carried it by two points in 2025."

Heading into the election, the district has roughly 19,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. According to Politico, an advantage for Kean is name recognition; Kean comes from a family of prominent New Jersey politicians, with his father, Thomas H. Kean, serving as governor from 1982 to 1990. The outlet also says Democrats are confident they could pick up the district because of Kean's months-long, previously undisclosed absence from Congress, President Donald Trump's (R) endorsement of Kean, and Bennett's status as a moderate Democrat.

As of Aug. 11, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the district a Toss-up, while Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales and DDHQ/The Hill rated it Tilt and Lean Democratic, respectively.

Kean has represented the 7th District since 2023. Before being elected to Congress, he served in the New Jersey Senate from 2003 to 2022 and the New Jersey General Assembly from 2001 to 2003. Kean's campaign website says, "I am an independent leader standing up for what is right for New Jersey – working to lower the cost of living, protect healthcare, strengthen our communities, and ensure America is strong at home and around the world."

Bennett is vice president of strategic partnerships and network operations at Oshi Health and a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot. She was previously a Republican but registered as a Democrat in July 2016. Bennett's campaign website says of the switch, "But when the Republican party embraced Donald Trump for President in 2016, she knew she had to take action. ... In Congress, Rebecca Bennett will help bring down costs for New Jersey families, expand access to healthcare, and ensure America’s national security is prioritized."

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-212 majority with four vacancies in the chamber. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.