Democrats have unseated incumbent Republican U.S. House representatives Tom Kean Jr. and Jeff Van Drew, shifting New Jersey’s political representation in Washington.
The results signaled voters’ growing concerns about President Donald Trump and the Republican Party as Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress.
“This isn’t just a wave; it’s an absolute wipeout,” said Democratic strategist Joshua Henne. “I’m surprised Democrats didn’t win Greenland, too.”
Kean, whose family is a political dynasty in New Jersey, lost with 41.4% of the vote, according to the Associated Press. With 94% of votes counted, Democratic businesswoman Rebecca Bennett won with 57.1% to represent the 7th congressional district, which includes Hunterdon and Warren counties and parts of Union, Somerset, Morris, and Sussex counties.
In the 2nd congressional district, covering the southern-most part of the state, Cape May Mayor Zach Mullock beat Van Drew, 51.1% to 47.9%, according to the AP, with 89% of votes counted. Before the election, Cook Political Report had rated the race as Likely Republican.
The results leave New Jersey with just one Republican U.S. House representative, Chris Smith, for the 4th congressional district that includes parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties. With 96% of votes counted, Smith had 59.1%, beating his opponent by a margin of about 18 points. A congressman since 1981, Smith beat his opponents by at least 35 points in his most recent races, according to AP data.
Here are a few highlights from last night’s election in New Jersey.
Kean Versus Bennett
Kean’s run for a third term was shaken by a mysterious four-month absence. He later explained that he had been receiving treatment for depression. His support for Trump, who endorsed him, was also a likely negative.
Bennett is a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and former vice president of strategic partnerships and network operations at Oshi Health. A first-time candidate, she has drawn comparisons to Democratic first-term Governor Mikie Sherrill because of their military service.
The nonpartisan, D.C.-based Cook Political Report had rated the race a tossup, but changed that to lean Democrat in late September.
An early September survey of 498 likely voters in the district, sponsored by InsiderNJ and conducted by StimSight Research, had put Bennett in the lead. The most important issues for voters were Social Security and Medicare and illegal immigration, followed by grocery and goods affordability, healthcare costs, threats to democracy, standing up to Trump and lowering taxes.
From Cape May to D.C.
Van Drew said he wishes Mullock success. “His success is our success.”
Mullock is in his second term as mayor of Cape May. Born and raised in South Jersey, his family owns the historic Chalfonte Hotel and the Cape May National Golf Club. He is a former PGA professional who is the club’s golf director. A father of three, Mullock had vowed during his campaign to be an independent voice for working families.
Van Drew was first elected to Congress as a conservative Democrat, and then switched to the Republican party in 2020 and became a Trump loyalist. He operated a dental practice in South Jersey for 30 years before retiring.
The district covers Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties and parts of Gloucester and Ocean counties.
“I’m not going to blame Donald Trump,” Van Drew said last night. “I’m not going to blame anybody. I made decisions in my life, and I am proud of them. I have fought hard for South Jersey. For New Jersey. And for the United States.”
Collingswood liquor licenses
It looks like Collingswood is ending its status as a dry town.
Voters in the Camden County borough of about 14,000 approved a ballot question to lift a century-old ban on alcohol sales. With all precincts reporting, the measure won with 60% of the vote, according to results from the County Clerk’s office.
The vote comes as New Jersey’s restaurant industry faces rising costs for ingredients, labor and utilities. More than 200 restaurants have closed in New Jersey this year, according to RestaurantData.
About 30 towns still ban restaurant sales of alcoholic beverages, including Ocean City, Riverton and Saddle River.
Data centers
This election season, campaign ads were flooded with attacks on data centers or on an opponent who supported them. Two New Jersey towns, Belvidere in Warren County and Downe Township in Cumberland County, had the issue on the ballot.
In Belvidere, 75% of voters said the town should pursue prohibiting data centers as part of a reexamination of the town’s master plan, according to unofficial results posted on Warren County’s website. For Downe, 87% of voters said they did not support data centers in the township, according to results posted on Cumberland County’s website.
As AI has boosted demand for data centers, more than 100 towns across New Jersey have banned them, according to estimates from environmental groups worried about the centers’ impact on energy and water.
“Data centers have become a symbol for everything people can’t stand about this moment in politics,” said Ben Dziobek, executive director of Climate Revolution Action Network. “They want elected officials who are ready to stand up to Big Tech and special interests instead of giving them whatever they want.”
