Shah says she knows ‘how to stop the bleeding’ in first NJ-7 ad

Tina Shah is out with her first campaign ad in New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, a spot that leans heavily into her background as a medical doctor and an official in the Biden and Obama administrations.

“One thing you learn in the ICU: how to stop the bleeding,” Shah says in the ad, which began airing today and which will be backed by a six-figure buy on cable, CTV, and digital platforms. “And let’s face it: with Trump, our democracy and health care are in critical condition.”

One of four Democrats running to defeat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (Westfield), Shah recently gave her own campaign $650,000, an infusion that will allow her to spend more than $1 million in the primary’s final two-month sprint. Unlike her opponents, Shah largely bypassed the county convention process, instead promising to focus on appealing to voters directly through advertising and campaign outreach.

A poll sponsored by Shah’s campaign in February argued that such a strategy could work; according to the poll, while voters started out with few strong opinions on any of the candidates, they flocked to Shah after hearing each candidate’s biography and message.

Another Democrat running for the 7th district, Rebecca Bennett, put up an ad last week that emphasizes her biography as a former Navy helicopter pilot and a mother of two; Bennett has the additional advantage of having most of the district’s Democratic establishment behind her. Also in the race are businessman Brian Varela and former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth.

Script
Shah: “One thing you learn in the ICU: how to stop the bleeding. And let’s face it: with Trump, our democracy and health care are in critical condition. I’m Dr. Tina Shah. I fought insurers protecting lifesaving treatments here in New Jersey, and was asked by three presidents to improve health care for families and veterans. In Congress, I’ll stop Trump’s lawlessness and the corrupt politicians who help him raise our costs and terrorize our communities.”