Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and challenger Rebecca Bennett offered sharply different positions on gas prices, tariffs, health care and artificial intelligence in their only debate for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, held Sunday ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Bennett blamed higher gas prices on the U.S. conflict with Iran and called for ending the war; Kean linked them to reduced energy independence under President Joe Biden and called for fewer restrictions on domestic fuel production. Bennett urged rolling back President Donald Trump’s tariffs, creating a public health care option and reducing Medicaid cuts. Kean defended tariffs as negotiating leverage and said his vote for the “One Big Beautiful Bill” sought to deter health-program fraud through work requirements and limits on benefits for undocumented immigrants.
Bennett called for a federal framework to regulate AI and data-center development with local communities. Kean urged keeping humans involved in AI production while speeding development to compete with China. Early in-person voting runs Oct. 24-Nov. 1; the candidates have no further debate scheduled before the Nov. 3 election.
