Union County Republicans back Tom Kean for Congress

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) easily won the Republican organization line in his home county, Union, tonight in his bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kean defeated Summit businessman Rob Trugman by a vote of 198 to 1,  99.5% of the vote.

Another candidate, Tom Phillips, did not receive any votes.

Kean had been the front runner for the 7th district seat since 2018, when Democrat Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) unseated five-term Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Township).

His path became clear two weeks ago when Rosemary Becchi, a former U.S. Senate tax counsel, dropped her primary challenge to Kean and instead switched to the 11th district against Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

“My wife, Rhonda, and I have been standing on the soccer sidelines and raising our family in Union County for almost 20 years,” said Kean. “Political analysts might call this portion of the Congressional district Tom Malinowski’s stronghold, but I call it home. I am incredibly proud to stand with the UCGOP and I am confident that together, we will deliver victories up and down the ticket.”