New Kean ad claims Bennett is a millionaire who doesn’t go to church

A new TV ad for two-term Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in New Jersey’s 7th district repeats prior claims about Democrat Rebecca Bennett but uses two volunteers to get the point across.

In “Conversation,” a man and woman at a restaurant having coffee relitigate two claims already made about Bennett: that she’s made millions working for health care companies; that she stopped going to church because she didn’t like sitting near Republicans.

Script: “(Woman) Have you seen this ad about Rebecca Bennett? (Man) Yeah. Did she really make millions working with health care companies that hurt patients? (Woman) Uh. Huh. One patient died. Kids were abused. (Man) That’s terrible. (Woman) Bennett even stopped going to church because she couldn’t stand sitting next to Republicans. (Man) I’m a Democrat, but come on.  I have friends who aren’t. (Woman) The last thing we need right now is a greedy millionaire like Rebecca Bennett. (Kean) I’m Tom Kean Jr., and I approve this message.”

The Kean campaign contends that Bennett’s healthcare career included brokering deals involving hospital chains accused of patient abuse and working with insurers criticized for denying coverage and putting profits ahead of patients.

The four companies Bennett worked for, however, provide healthcare services or products rather than insurance. Oshi Health offers virtual gastrointestinal care and bills major health plans; Noom provides digital health and weight-management programs through employers and insurers; Midi Health offers virtual women’s healthcare covered by many major PPO plans; and Johnson & Johnson makes pharmaceuticals and medical devices whose coverage and reimbursement are negotiated with insurers.

Bennett told a campaign audience in February that discomfort worshipping alongside Trump voters had led her to step away from church while serving in the military in a conservative community. “I cannot sit in this church full of people who voted for Trump,” she recalled in a recording published June 3 by the Washington Free Beacon in a story actively shopped by the National Republican Congressional Committee.   But she later concluded that political opponents should not define her faith or patriotism.

When Kean brought up the remarks at their September 27 debate, Bennett called his criticism “insulting” and said her family remained active in their church community.

Bennett has repeatedly declined to state her net worth; her personal financial disclosure lists her financial assets at between $449,000 and $1.8 million.  Kean has said he’s worth about $10 million.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Bennett have falsely accused Kean of personally trading stocks while he was hospitalized earlier this year.