Rebecca Bennett comes in strong, raising over $425k in two months

Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot running as a Democrat for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, raised more than $425,000 during her first two months in the race, an enormous sum for the first-time candidate that starts her campaign off in a formidable position.

According to Bennett’s campaign, the fundraising total came from 1,839 individual donors, more than 80% of whom gave less than $100.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received. This early momentum makes it clear: people in NJ-7 are ready for fresh perspectives and leadership that truly understands the challenges they’re facing,” Bennett said in a statement. “From reducing the high cost of living to protecting access to healthcare, we need strong leadership and bold solutions. I’m running because I believe we deserve leaders who are focused on getting things done and making life better for all of us, and that’s exactly what I’ll do every day in office.”

Bennett – who spent over a decade in the Navy before moving to New Jersey and entering the health care industry – launched her campaign against Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) on February 4. She announced shortly afterwards that she had raised more than $125,000 during her first 24 hours in the race, one of the strongest one-day hauls in New Jersey House campaign history; the fundraising total she’s announcing today covers the day of her launch through March 31, the final day of the first quarter.

Bennett currently faces one Democratic opponent in the 7th district primary, former Summit Councilman Greg Vartan, who announced his own campaign shortly after Bennett. Other candidates are also looking at the race, among them James Filippatos, a Disney executive whose campaign deliberations were reported yesterday by Politico.

Whoever does win the Democratic primary – and it’s still far too early to predict who that might be – will face a tough fight against Kean, who unseated Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) 51%-49% in 2022 and beat Democrat Sue Altman 52%-46% to win a second term last year.

The 7th district, though, voted for Donald Trump by just one percentage point, making it one of the least conservative seats held by a House Republican anywhere in the country and setting Kean up for another expensive, competitive race in 2026.

“This campaign is built on integrity, empathy, service, and a deep commitment to representing the voices and needs of our constituents,” Bennett said. “I’m so grateful for everyone’s support and couldn’t be more excited for the road ahead.”