New Jersey’s most competitive contest this fall will likely be the 7th District, where Republican Tom Kean Jr. is defending a seat that President Donald Trump only carried 50%-49%.
Kean Jr. won the Republican primary on Tuesday night, given that he ran unopposed for renomination.
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President Donald Trump endorsed Kean Jr. and argued that he would be a “strong fighter” for the MAGA movement.
“Congressman Tom Kean is a Great Representative for the People of New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“A Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda, Tom is working tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump added.
“Tom Kean has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election. Election Day is Tuesday, June 2nd. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR TOM — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump continued.
Kean Jr. responded to Trump’s endorsement, “Thank you for your support, President Trump! I am working every day to build a stronger America and a stronger New Jersey.”
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“We are making life more affordable for every family, safeguarding our communities, and working to achieve peace across the world,” Kean Jr. added.
“Thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. I will continue to deliver for a better future,” Kean Jr. continued.
New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he’s ‘energized’ but appears to push back timeline for return https://t.co/7UAKXdLBeC
— POLITICO (@politico) June 2, 2026
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB, small business advocacy) also endorsed Kean Jr.
“We are proud to endorse Tom Kean, Jr. today,” said Eileen Kean, NFIB New Jersey State Director (earlier cycle context, emphasizing small business support).
This comes as Republicans appear poised to enter November’s midterm elections with a significant advantage created by redistricting efforts across the country.
The fight began last year when Texas Republicans, encouraged by President Donald Trump, moved to redraw congressional districts to strengthen the GOP’s position in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Since then, both parties have engaged in an increasingly aggressive struggle over congressional boundaries, but Republicans currently have the advantage.
If ongoing efforts in Louisiana and Alabama ultimately survive legal challenges, Republicans could finish the cycle with as many as 10 additional House seats favoring the GOP compared to gains secured by Democrats through redistricting.
The battle intensified after a major Supreme Court ruling last month weakened a key remaining provision of the Voting Rights Act, allowing for additional map changes in several southern states.
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, with a 218-212 advantage.
Over the past 10 months, Republicans have redrawn congressional boundaries in six states, targeting 14 Democratic-held districts.
Louisiana lawmakers continue working on a map aimed at a Democratic seat and are expected to receive approval from Republican Gov. Jeff Landry.
Meanwhile, Alabama officials have also pushed for new congressional boundaries designed to target one of the state’s two Democratic House members.
A federal court recently blocked Alabama’s map, but state officials have already appealed to the Supreme Court.
Should Republicans ultimately prevail in both states, analysts estimate they would secure a net redistricting advantage of approximately 10 seats.
Adam Kincaid, president of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, said the strategy could prove critical.
“Republicans have added about 10 seats that will have moved the median district even further to the right,” Kincaid said. “It certainly will help hold the majority in the fall.”
This comes as Senate Democrats have unified in complete opposition to the voter ID requirement in the SAVE America Act, an election security measure supported by nearly four-fifths of the American people.
The U.S. Senate did not advance the SAVE America Act because a procedural vote to open debate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
