Democrat Rebecca Bennett has defeated Republican Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. to win New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, flipping the seat from Republican to Democratic control. The Associated Press reported Bennett’s victory late on Tuesday evening, following an election-night projection by the Faytuks Network.

At the time of the Faytuks Network projection, Bennett held a commanding lead with 60.8% of the vote to Kean’s 37.9%, with approximately 65% of ballots counted. The result marked a significant defeat for the Republican incumbent, who had represented the district since taking office in January 2023.

Kean first won the seat in 2022, defeating Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski in a closely contested race. He went on to win reelection in 2024 against Democrat Susan Altman, receiving approximately 52% of the vote. His district includes portions of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties and has remained one of New Jersey’s most competitive congressional districts.

Bennett secured the Democratic nomination in June, defeating three other candidates in the primary. She entered the general election with the backing of a substantial campaign operation and raised approximately $8.8 million through the middle of October, compared with roughly $6.1 million raised by Kean’s campaign.

The race drew considerable attention because of its potential implications for the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. New Jersey’s 7th District was among the competitive seats Democrats targeted as they sought to gain ground in the 2026 midterm elections. The contest remained closely watched throughout the campaign, with election forecasts increasingly favoring Bennett in the final days before voting.

Kean’s defeat ends his time representing the district and gives Democrats another seat in the House. Bennett’s victory also reverses the Republican gains made in the district when Kean defeated Malinowski four years earlier.

The outcome represents a setback for Republicans in a district they had successfully defended in 2024. With Bennett’s win, Democrats have added another congressional seat to their win column as the many remaining House races will determine the balance of power in Washington.