Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett faced off Sunday night in their first and likely only debate in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, drawing sharp contrasts on tariffs, presidential power, foreign policy and the role of Congress.
The debate, hosted by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University, came in one of the state’s most closely watched congressional races. NJ-7 has changed party control in each of the past two midterm elections and remains one of New Jersey’s most competitive districts.
Tariffs Expose a Clear Divide
One of the clearest differences came over President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs.
Kean defended the administration’s current approach, saying his focus was on whether the president was using tariff authority appropriately.
“My focus is saying the president right now is using it appropriately, and I support his use in that regard,” Kean said during the debate, according to video circulated afterward by American Bridge.
Bennett took the opposite position, arguing that tariff authority belongs with Congress.
“Congress is the one who should be levying tariffs,” Bennett said during the exchange, according to viewers following the debate live.
The dispute reflected a broader disagreement over how much economic authority Congress should leave in the hands of the executive branch. Bennett has campaigned against the administration’s tariff policies, while Kean has supported Trump’s approach.
Trump Looms Over the Debate
Although Trump was not on the stage, his policies repeatedly shaped the discussion.
Kean defended several elements of the president’s agenda, while Bennett sought to frame the race around congressional independence and the economic consequences of administration policies.
The district itself includes Trump’s Bedminster property, and the president’s policies have become an important dividing line in the campaign.
Iran and Presidential War Powers
Foreign policy also produced significant differences.
Discussion during the debate included the ongoing war with Iran and the circumstances under which U.S. forces should be deployed abroad.
Live reactions to the debate indicated that Kean defended the administration’s approach to Iran and expressed willingness to support U.S. military involvement under certain circumstances, while Bennett emphasized a stronger congressional role in major decisions involving war and executive authority.
The issue is particularly relevant after Congress recently debated war-powers resolutions related to Iran, reflecting a broader national dispute over how much authority the president should exercise without additional congressional approval.
Kean’s Record and Bennett’s Challenge
The debate also gave voters a direct comparison between a two-term incumbent and a first-time congressional candidate.
Kean returned to Congress earlier this year after a four-month absence during which he missed more than 100 votes. He later disclosed that he had received medical treatment during that period. Bennett, a former Navy pilot and healthcare executive, entered politics this year and won a competitive Democratic primary in June.
Their different backgrounds became part of the contrast throughout the evening: Kean repeatedly pointed to his congressional experience and record, while Bennett presented herself as an alternative to the incumbent and emphasized congressional oversight and independence.
An Important Debate in a Closely Watched District
Sunday’s event may be the only time Kean and Bennett appear together on a debate stage before Election Day.
The 7th District includes portions of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. Kean won the Republican primary in June, while Bennett emerged from a multi-candidate Democratic contest.
With the candidates offering sharply different approaches to tariffs, presidential authority and foreign policy, the debate gave voters one of their clearest opportunities yet to see how each would approach major decisions in Washington.
Rather than producing agreement, the evening underscored the central choice in the NJ-7 race: how closely a member of Congress should align with the White House — and how aggressively Congress should exercise its own constitutional powers.
Sources: New Jersey Globe, Associated Press, American Bridge 21st Century debate video, Guides.vote, New Jersey Division of Elections
By NJ RADAR Team
[…] The 90-minute debate was hosted by the New Jersey Globe and Rider University. NJ-7 remains one of New Jersey’s most closely watched congressional districts heading into the November election. […]