New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is where all eyes are this election season.
The race between Republican incumbent Representative Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Sue Altman is one of the most closely watched in the country.
What makes this race so important is that it could influence which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, which has major national consequences.
The district itself covers parts of Central and Northern New Jersey, including counties like Hunterdon, Warren, and parts of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union.
It’s an area known for being suburban and mostly affluent, with a history of leaning Republican.
Initially, political analysts saw the race as a toss-up, but now it’s leaning slightly in favor of the Republicans.
Still, with so many undecided voters, things could go either way.
Tom Kean Jr. comes from a well-known political family in New Jersey.
His father was a former governor, and his grandfather served as a congressman.
Kean grew up in Livingston, attended Dartmouth College, and later earned a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from Tufts University.
His political career began with a role at the Environmental Protection Agency under President George H.W. Bush.
Kean was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2001 and, by 2003, became a state senator.
He served in the state senate for 14 years as the Republican minority leader.
Kean has a reputation for addressing issues like budgeting, healthcare, and education during his time in state politics.
He also served on various committees and worked on initiatives related to the arts and international relations.
In Congress, his focus has been on local issues like public safety, making life more affordable for New Jersey residents, and supporting U.S. allies abroad, especially Ukraine and Israel.
Kean’s key campaign issues for this election include reducing inflation, supporting energy independence, and improving affordable housing.
Kean has received endorsements from several groups, including the N.J. State Police Benevolent Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
His supporters see him as someone who knows how to balance local concerns with national policy, particularly on economic issues and safety.
On the other side, Sue Altman is running a strong campaign to challenge Kean’s seat.
She’s positioned herself as a progressive candidate, appealing to younger voters and women in particular.
One of Altman’s strongest campaign issues is women’s reproductive rights and abortion policy, where she holds a clear advantage over Kean, especially with college-educated women in the district.
This issue is a central focus of her campaign, and it has helped her gain significant momentum.
Altman has not hesitated to criticize Kean, accusing him of being disconnected from voters and avoiding important public discussions.
She has attacked his association with Donald Trump and the broader MAGA agenda, saying that Kean portrays himself as a moderate but aligns himself with more extreme Republican figures.
Altman is working hard to present herself as a candidate who will stand up for the people and offer a fresh perspective for the district.
The only debate between the two candidates highlighted their differences.
Altman criticized Kean for dodging the spotlight and avoiding real conversations with the public, while Kean stuck to calling Altman a far-left extremist who’s out of sync with the district’s values.
He’s particularly focused on painting her as a spender who’ll raise taxes and push policies like defunding the police.
Altman, for her part, dismissed those claims, but Kean isn’t letting that narrative go.
He continually ties her to progressive groups like the Working Families Party, even though Altman has distanced herself from those positions.
What makes this race even more interesting is how divided voters in the district are.
A recent Monmouth University poll shows the race is extremely tight, with Kean holding a slight two-point lead over Altman.
However, that’s well within the poll’s margin of error, meaning it’s essentially a toss-up.
Kean has an edge on economic issues, crime, and immigration, but Altman is ahead on abortion, which is a major concern for many voters in this district.
According to polling, men in the district are more likely to support Kean, especially because of his focus on economic issues like job creation and growth.
On the other hand, women, particularly college-educated women, are rallying behind Altman because of her strong position on abortion and personal freedoms.
But many people still haven’t made up their minds, and with the district’s mix of suburban professionals and working-class voters, it’s hard to predict which way they’ll go.
Third-party candidates could also affect the outcome, potentially taking votes away from Kean more than Altman.
One of the biggest questions leading up to election day is which issues will matter most to voters.
Will it be in terms of economy and public safety that Kean has the advantage?
Or will voters be more focused on personal freedoms, like abortion rights, where Altman shines?
Both candidates are pushing hard to get their messages out, and with so many undecided voters, there’s still a lot of room for movement.
This race isn’t just important for New Jersey; it could help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.
Voters in the 7th District understand that their choice could have a national impact, so they’re weighing their options carefully.
In the final days leading up to the election, both campaigns are ramping up their efforts.
Kean relies on his long-standing ties to the community and his track record in local and national politics, while Altman is betting on her fresh perspective and focus on progressive issues to attract new voters.
The outcome of this race could very well come down to the wire, and it’s clear that New Jersey’s 7th District will be a key battleground in the 2024 elections.
Whether voters choose the experienced incumbent or the newcomer pushing for change, one thing is certain: this is a race with high stakes, not just for the district but for the whole country.