Brian Varela Archives - New Jersey Globe

A tale of two Democratic primaries

June 4, 2026 5:03 pmJune 5, 2026 4:51 pm

A few ballots from 2026’s primary elections still remain to be counted, but the two biggest contests of the night have been firmly decided: Rebecca Bennett and Adam Hamawy are the Democratic nominees in the 7th and 12th congressional districts....

Bennett resoundingly wins NJ-7 primary, besting three Democratic foes – and GOP-linked super PAC

June 2, 2026 9:03 pmJune 2, 2026 10:55 pm

In one of the nation’s most competitive House districts, Democratic voters have nominated Rebecca Bennett to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), the New Jersey Globe projects. Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot touted by many Democrats as a top...

Outside groups have spent more than $12 million on this year’s Democratic primaries

June 1, 2026 4:45 pm

For decades, the most important question one could ask of a New Jersey candidate was: do you have the county line? Now, a new question has dethroned it: do you have a super PAC? While super PACs have been a...

Delaney Hall has become a stop on the New Jersey campaign trail

June 1, 2026 12:41 pmJune 2, 2026 1:43 am

Over the last week, the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center in Newark has become a powderkeg, with a hunger strike inside the facility’s gates and clashes between protesters and law enforcement outside of them. New Jersey’s Democratic members of Congress...

NJ-7 Democrats wrap up primary with eyes on Kean

May 31, 2026 8:21 pmJune 1, 2026 11:53 am

Two Democrats looking to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) descended on Rahway on Sunday as primary day in the 7th congressional district approaches. Rebecca Bennett and Michael Roth each launched a canvassing session with about 10 volunteers and supporters...

Sherrill says ‘Republican dark money groups’ need to stay out of Dem primaries

May 27, 2026 4:29 pm

As a pair of shadowy super PACs with possible GOP ties spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in two New Jersey Democratic primaries, the state’s top Democrat, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, says any Republican meddling needs to stop. “Republicans should stay...

Bennett, Hamawy pull further away in fundraising, per pre-primary reports

May 22, 2026 4:48 pm

The last FEC reports before New Jersey’s June 2 primary election were due last night, and among other things, they show two leading Democratic candidates in competitive House primaries pulling further away from the pack. In the 7th district, Rebecca...