WASHINGTON — House Democrats rushed to fill the coffers of former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett after the New Jersey primary, shoring up the finances of one of their best hopes of capturing a Republican-held seat this fall when control of the chamber is at stake.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who returned to Capitol Hill last month after being gone from Washington for four months after being hospitalized for depression.
and missing 140 roll call votes, continued to raise money during his absence.
Bennett brought in $74,000 last month from her fellow Democrats, including $7,000 apiece from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.). he House Democrats’ political arm also spent $221 on an event for her.
She entered July with $1.4 million the bank after winning an expensive primary for the Democratic nomination in the state’s most competitive House race. She raised $4.3 million through June 30.
Kean (R-Westfield) raised $4.9 million for his re-election in the 7th Congressional District, but since he didn’t have a primary, reported $3.6 million in the bank. He, too, was helped by his party, receiving $5,000 from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the House Republicans’ super PAC.
Here are some other highlights from the midyear campaign disclosure reports:
Not there yet. Republicans have named Rep. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) as a potential target. Democrats have their eyes on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
But their challengers have struggled to raise money so far.
In the 2nd District, Van Drew has brought in $1.9 million for his re-election and reported having $1.5 million in the bank. Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock had just $120,210 to spend after raising $462,863. And almost one-fourth of his campaign funds — $110,000 — came out of his own pocket.
It’s the same story in the 9th District. Pou raised $2.7 million through June 30 and banked $1.8 million. Clifton Councilwoman Rosie Pino, who won the Republican primary, brought in just $437,828 and had $39,623 cash on hand.
One eye on 2028? When U.S. Sen. Cory Booker first ran for president in 2020, he got a head start by transferring $2.7 million sitting in his Senate campaign committee. He had almost 10 times that amount entering July of this year, $23.1 million, after raising $33.5 million for his fall Senate campaign.
His Republican challenger, lawyer Justin Murphy, had $122.51 to spend at the end of June after winning the GOP primary at the start of the month. He raised $27,315 for his campaign.
Among U.S. senators mentioned as potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates. Jon Ossoff of Georgia led the park with $42.6 million in his campaign bank account, but he has the toughest road to re-election this fall. Mark Kelly reported a bank account balance of $24.3 million and Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy had $11.5 million.
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, not up for re-election until 2030, raised $1.7 million and had $1.2 million in the bank.
Heavy hitters. Three of New Jersey’s Democratic House incumbents, none of them facing serious challengers, have put away millions of dollars just in case they eventually do.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer of Tenafly led the way with $11.9 million in his campaign bank account, followed by Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. of Long Branch with $3.1 million and Donald Norcross of Camden with $2.4 million.
Compare that with Republicans Damon Galdo, running against Norcross in the 1st District, who banked $5,055 through June 30; Sean Kirrane, who is challenging Gotthemer in the 5th District, with $8,033; and Hillary Herzig, Pallone’s opponent in the 6th District, who reported $1,866 in the bank.
Empty coffers. Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge) had just $27,475 to spend in the 11th District after winning a special election. But her Republican opponent, Joe Hathaway, had even less cash on hand, $5,036.
And in the 12th District, Adam Hamawy survived a hotly contested Democratic primary to win the nomination but entered July with $91,930. The GOP nominee, Gregg Mele, was in worse financial shape with just $3,083.
And the rest. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-Newark, saw her bank account balance swell to $814,119 from $163,212 three months earlier as she seeks re-election in the 10th District.. She raised $2.1 million from Jan. 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
McIver, who was indicted on charges that she assaulted and impeded federal immigration officers at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, reported spending $1.5 million, with one-third of that, $537,667 going to legal fees. McIver said she was carrying out her congressional oversight facilities at the controversial facility.
Republican Carmen Bucco brought in $2,270 and had $1,018 to spend.
Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), who repelled a primary challenge from progressive Mussab Ali in the 8th District, raised $2 million through June 30. Even after spending $1.6 million, he had $679,736 to spend.
There is no Republican candidate in the race, though GOP leaders are supporting Aristotle Eliopoulos, who is running as an independent and did not report raising or spending any money.
In the 3rd District, Rep. Herb Conaway (D-Delanco) brought in $934,659 and had $439,328 to spend. Republican Michael McGuire raised $79,190 and had $807 to spend.
And in the 4th District, Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) reported raising $592,016 and had $488,316 to spend. Democrat Rachel Peace brought in $34,351 and reported cash on hand of $5,363.