Kean confident Republicans have spent enough money to win

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) said Saturday that Republicans have the financial resources to outspend Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett in the final two weeks of the midterm elections, but sidestepped a question about whether he would put any of his own money into his bid for a third term in Congress.

“We have enough to outspend in the closing days of this race,” Kean said when asked whether he would contribute personal funds to his campaign.

Kean’s comments come just days after two major Republican super PACs pulled their remaining television advertising investments from New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, redirecting millions of dollars to defend Republican incumbents elsewhere.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson, and President Donald Trump’s Affordability and Safety PAC have both withdrawn from the district.

But Kean dismissed concerns about losing their support, pointing to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s investment in his reelection.

“Number one NRCC-funded target in the country with over $6.2 million,” Kean said. “We’re on track to raise $7 million dollars this entire campaign.”

“We will outspend our opponent on network TV,” he added.

Despite Bennett’s fundraising advantage, Kean entered the final month of the campaign with more money in the bank, reporting approximately $2.3 million in cash on hand, compared with $1.7 million for his Democratic challenger.

Kean’s assurances come as Bennett has dramatically outraised him in recent months, collecting nearly $3.9 million during the third quarter, more than four times the $974,612 raised by the Republican incumbent.

Since entering the race, Bennett has raised more than $8 million, compared with approximately $5.9 million for Kean.

Kean had a full day of campaigning Saturday, including a stop at the 105th annual Far Hills Race Meeting, one of New Jersey’s premier fall social events. Held at Moorland Farm in Somerset County, the annual steeplechase horse racing event attracts tens of thousands of spectators for a day of racing, tailgate parties and charitable fundraising.

Bennett also spent Saturday on the campaign trail, with both candidates maintaining busy schedules as the race entered its final two weeks.