The key facts

  • Rebecca Bennett defeated incumbent Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. in New Jersey's 7th district, according to the AP
  • The district flipped from Republicans to Democrats in the midterm elections
  • Vote counting continues; 218 of 435 seats are needed for a House majority

Democrats win a Republican-held district in New Jersey

Democrat Rebecca Bennett won the US House of Representatives election in New Jersey's 7th congressional district, the Associated Press reports. She defeated incumbent Republican Congressman Thomas Kean Jr., who had represented the district. The AP declared Bennett the winner of the race, meaning the district has flipped party control: the seat previously held by Republicans will now be taken by a Democrat.

Midterm election context

The result is a gain for Democrats seeking to strengthen their position in the House of Representatives. It was called while vote counting in the midterm elections was still ongoing across the country, and the outcomes of other races remained uncertain. All 435 House seats are up for election, and a party needs 218 seats for a majority. The final balance of power in the chamber remained unresolved at the time of publication.