Tom Kean Jr. has secured re-election in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District and defeated Democratic challenger Sue Altman in a highly competitive race.
With a campaign focused on taxes, public safety, and national issues like supporting Ukraine and Israel, Kean resonated with voters in this swing district.
With some added drama, like mailers being dumped, it was a race full of twists and turns.
Here’s what happened and why it’s important.
- Tom Kean Jr. won re-election by focusing on taxes, safety, and national issues like supporting Ukraine and Israel.
- Restoring the SALT deduction was a big promise that grabbed voters’ attention in this high-tax district.
- A campaign flier controversy involving dumped mailers added a dramatic twist, but Kean still won.
Kean Jr.’s Victory in a Tight Race
Tom Kean Jr., a Republican, won re-election in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, beating Democrat Sue Altman in a hard-fought contest.
With a five-point lead by 10:45 p.m., Kean declared victory.
Shortly after, Altman conceded.
“We had a message that resonated with voters: affordability, restoring the SALT deduction, standing with Ukraine, standing with Israel, energy independence, having the back of cops, and securing our southern border,” Kean said after his win.
That message included fixing taxes, public safety, and national security, all of which hit home for many people in the district.
Why Did People Vote for Kean?
1. The SALT Deduction Problem
One of the biggest issues in this election was the SALT deduction cap.
A new federal tax law limited the amount people could deduct from their state and local property taxes to $10,000 in 2017.
In high-tax areas like New Jersey, this has been a huge burden for homeowners.
Kean promised to push for removing the SALT cap, which many voters loved.
This tax issue affects many people in the district, where property taxes can easily exceed the $10,000 limit.
Trump, who introduced the SALT cap, has said he would lift it if he runs for president again, and the current cap expires next year anyway.
But for now, Kean’s promise to fix this hit the right note with voters.
2. Crime and Public Safety
Crime is always a top concern.
Kean leaned hard into reducing crime and backing law enforcement.
He promised to “have the backs of cops,” and that message stuck with voters who prioritized safety.
Meanwhile, Altman focused on gun control and tackling violence but didn’t make as much of a splash with this crowd.
3. The Kean Family Legacy
If the name “Kean” sounds familiar, it’s because Tom Kean Jr. comes from a well-known political family.
His father, Tom Kean Sr., was a two-term governor and is still one of New Jersey’s most respected leaders.
And having a name that voters trust gave Kean Jr. a big advantage.
Sue Altman’s Campaign: Fighting for Change
Sue Altman ran a strong campaign focusing on progressive issues like abortion rights and gun control.
She highlighted protecting reproductive rights, which resonated with many voters, especially after national debates on the issue.
But Altman faced some hurdles.
Old social media posts where she used a “defund the police” hashtag came back to haunt her.
She distanced herself from those posts, but Kean’s campaign used them to paint her as extreme, likely hurting her chances.
Campaign Drama: The Mailer Dumpster Incident
Both campaigns sent tons of mailers and ran ads throughout the district.
But things got heated when a video showed someone throwing hundreds of Kean’s mail flyers into a dumpster in Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Postal Service quickly launched an investigation, but the damage was done.
Kean called it “deeply troubling” and said it raised concerns about election integrity.
While it didn’t seem to affect the results, it added some extra drama to an already intense race.
Did Redistricting Play a Role?
This district has always been competitive, but redistricting after the 2020 Census made it slightly more Republican-leaning.
In 2022, Kean flipped the seat red by narrowly defeating Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski, who admitted that the new lines gave Republicans an edge.
The district includes suburban areas near New York City and more rural western parts of the state.
While there are slightly more Republicans than Democrats in the district, it’s still a swing district that voted for Biden in 2020 by over three points.
What’s Next for NJ-7?
With Kean back in office, voters will watch to see if he keeps his promises, especially on taxes and public safety.
His win also helps Republicans hold onto their narrow control of the House of Representatives.
Altman’s campaign may not have won, but it brought attention to important issues like abortion rights and gun control.
Her strong showing suggests we haven’t seen the last of her.
Final Thoughts: A Race to Remember
Tom Kean Jr.’s victory wasn’t just about winning a seat but addressing what mattered most to voters.
Whether fixing the SALT cap, keeping communities safe, or advocating for national issues, Kean struck a chord with the district.
At the same time, Sue Altman’s campaign showed the power of progressive ideas, even in a swing district.
The NJ-7 race reminded us how much every vote and every issue matters.
It’ll be exciting to see what comes next for this key district in New Jersey!
