Swing-district Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) had another strong fundraising haul to close out 2023, raising $502,000 in the 4th quarter of the year and beginning 2024 with a warchest of $2.1 million.
“Residents of our district are deeply concerned about the issues our nation still faces – from the challenges of illegal immigration and securing our border, to unchecked government spending and the rising cost of living,” Kean said in a statement. “I am truly thankful for everyone who has rallied behind and supported our campaign so that we can continue to work hard on their behalf. The importance of this race cannot be overstated.”
Since taking office at the beginning of 2023, Kean has raised just over $2.7 million, a massive total in a district that will likely be key to determining control of the House this year. Kean has long been a formidable fundraiser; he raised $4.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively, for his 2020 and 2022 campaigns against Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes), the latter of which was successful.
Malinowski isn’t seeking a rematch this year, leaving two other Democrats, former New Jersey Working Families Party director Sue Altman and former U.S. State Department official Jason Blazakis, to run for the 7th congressional district in his stead.
Altman has raised $780,000 since launching her campaign, while Blazakis has raised $360,000. Whichever of them ends up winning the Democratic nomination will start out at an immediate and stark financial disadvantage against Kean.
Once the Democratic primary is settled, though, the fundraising floodgates could open. In their 2022 contest, Kean and Malinowski collectively raised more than $13 million, and another $8.5 million was spent by outside groups; with forecasters like the Cook Political Report rating the 7th district as a toss-up, this year’s race may end up witnessing similarly sky-high spending when all is said and done.