Over a year ago, I decided to step up and raise my hand to serve this nation again, in a new capacity. I decided to run for Congress.
I had spent over fifteen years in the Navy and the Air National Guard flying helicopters in some of the most unforgiving conditions imaginable: night missions over the open ocean and zero margin for error. I know what it means to commit to a mission and see it through. Running for office is an extension of this, just with a different uniform.
I’m so proud of the coalition and team that we have built around this campaign. People from every corner of this district, from Lambertville to Linden, brought their energy, their time, and their belief that NJ-07 deserves better. That’s what I’ve been thinking about this week, as we cross into the final few days of this campaign before the June 2nd primary.
What We’ve Built Together
We’ve raised over $3 million this campaign, including over $700,000 just in the first quarter of this year. Over 90% of our donations came in under $100, and every dollar came from people, with $0 in corporate PAC money and $0 in self-funding. That matters a lot to me because it reflects the kind of campaign I promised to run, and the kind of Congresswoman I intend to be.
Beyond the money, four of the six county Democratic committees in this district have endorsed this campaign. So have members of Congress, including Pat Ryan, Seth Moulton, Chrissy Houlahan, Jason Crow, and Chris DeLuzio. Labor groups like the Communications Workers of America and the NJ Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association are with us. Senate President Nick Scutari, Senator Joe Cryan, former NJ-07 candidates Sara Sooy, Megan O’Rourke, and Greg Vartan – over 100 local elected officials and leaders have stepped forward. Each endorsement is a relationship we’ve built along the way, and a set of voters who deserve a seat at the table.
What’s Happening This Week
I want to share something you may have seen happening in this primary. A MAGA Republican super PAC called Real Change PAC popped up about a week ago and, so far, has dropped over $600,000 in attack ads lying about my background to try to put their thumb on the scale for this primary. As Congressman Frank Pallone said: If Republicans are working this hard to stop me now, that tells you everything you need to know.
We launched a new ad responding to those attacks:
I’ve always opposed Trump and his agenda. My record, my service, and this campaign have made that abundantly clear. We’re going to keep saying that, loudly and proudly, all the way to Election Day.
The Countdown
The hard work of this final week is the same work we’ve been doing all year – knocking doors, making calls, showing up for the people of this district. The poll we released has us leading the field by 21 points. The only public poll released in this race also shows us leading the field by a wide margin. Every indicator is more recognition of what we’ve built here. We can push back against this MAGA disinformation and show them that they picked a fight with the wrong person and the wrong district.
Every volunteer who spent a Saturday afternoon canvassing, every donor who chipped in $25, every supporter who shared a post or made a call, you’re the reason we’re standing here, less than a week out, in the strongest position of this race.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re just getting started.
I would love to have you on the team. Please, come join us and let’s fight together for a better future for all of us.
– Rebecca
This campaign is powered by people like you — neighbors who believe we can build a better future for every family in New Jersey’s 7th District.
Every dollar you contribute helps us reach more communities, share our vision, and build the coalition needed to deliver real change for the people of this district
Whether it’s $5 or $500, your support makes a difference. Together, we can flip NJ-07 and fight for the working families of this district.
Paid for by Rebecca Bennett for Congress. Rebecca Bennett is a former member of the United States Navy and current member of the Air National Guard. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense or any other department, agency or service of the United States Government
Rebecca I support you for who you are and for what you have accomplished. In sharp contrast, Baby Kean has only the name, not the distinctive service, of his daddy, Thomas Kean.
Over 40 years ago I voted for Governor Kean, who served New Jersey and our country superbly. Without the Kean family name, Baby Kean would never have been elected in New Jersey. He was mediocre in the State Legislature and a Trump sycophant in the House.
Whatever the reason that he has neither voted in Congress nor physically appeared for nearly three months, I find it bizarre, for a congressman purportedly representing his constituents, not to be visible.