The Hunterdon County Democratic Committee hosted a forum for candidates seeking the party’s nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District on Sunday.
The forum, held at the Stangle Factory, featured a roster of contenders vying to replace Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.
The moderator set a tone of inevitable succession, telling the crowd, “On this stage sits the next congressperson for the 7th District,” a statement met with applause.
Candidates, held to sixty-second answers, presented their credentials.
Beth Adubato identified herself as a former News 12 journalist and criminal justice professor, citing her nonprofit work and teaching job when questioned about less visible recent political activity.
Rebecca Bennett, a Navy helicopter pilot and Texas transplant with multi-million dollar investments in the fossil fuel and pharmaceutical sectors, declared herself a patriot.
Megan O’Rourke, a scientist, highlighted endorsements from former Rep. Rush Holt and current Rep. Ro Khanna.
Michael Roth, who said President Joe Biden asked him to help rebuild the Small Business Administration, spoke of confronting today’s “authoritarianism.”
Physician Tina Shah told a story of a man who could not afford diabetes drugs, saying she created a team of doctors to “fight insurance companies.”
Brian Varela presented himself as a first-generation American businessman and fighter, noting he knocked on more than 3,000 doors to help win local council seats in a previously unrepresented town.
Bennett cited a “cost of living crisis,” proposed banning institutional investment in housing, and noted “30% of our taxes subsidize red states.”
Roth said he was “heartbroken” that elderly residents cannot afford to stay and promised to work to “keep more of your paycheck.”
Shah pointed to her record of putting “insurance companies back in their box” and accused Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. of doing nothing.
Varela echoed the attack, saying “Kean is out there telling lies,” and pledged to roll back the SALT deduction cap.
Adubato pushed back on the district’s wealthy image, saying many residents work two jobs and highlighting the gender pay gap.
When addressing the affluent district’s concerns, answers varied.
On energy and the environment, Roth accused Kean of “literally ripping us off” as a decisive vote to cut energy investments.
Shah said Kean did nothing to push back on former President Donald Trump.
Varela pointed to historical models og government action like the Tennessee Valley Authority as examples of impactful investment.
Adubato stated simply she is against anything Trump supports. Bennett spoke of leadership opportunities while criticizing the PJM power grid.
O’Rourke, identifying as a climate scientist, framed environmental responsibility as a path to “good clean energy jobs.”
Immigration prompted a range of responses.
Shah, a daughter of immigrants, called it complicated, advocated for secure borders and a citizenship path, and said Trump is “terrorizing people.”
Noting his parents were immigrants, Varela said he has “seen the impact of immigration enforcement,” called to impeach South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and criticized Kean’s silence.
Adubato blamed Trump for derailing a bipartisan agreement.
O’Rourke described ICE slaying victim Alex Pretti as a union brother affected by the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration crackdown.
Roth returned to themes of authoritarianism, vowing to shame opponents via congressional committee.
On foreign policy, Adubato stressed being “strong NATO allies” and supporting Ukraine.
Bennett called for a new War Powers Act, noting the U.S. still operates under the 2001 authorization for use of military force.
O’Rourke warned of global realignment away from U.S. interests and advocated for multilateral negotiations.
Roth described a “second cold war with China” and said Trump’s policies are “destroying NATO.”
Shah offered a personal note, comparing her 3-year-old niece to the age of a child separated under Trump-era policies.
The discussion on firearms saw Adubato state ordinary citizens do not need semi-automatic weapons and lament low conviction rates for domestic abusers.
Bennett expressed fears her kids may not survive a school day.
O’Rourke, noting a background with guns and mental health issues, said she was not willing to fully remove access to guns, but she shot down rumors that she was not fully pro-choice on abortion.
Roth focused on hate and the role of social media companies. Shah and Varela broadly agreed with the concerns raised by the other contestants.
Healthcare elicited sharper contrasts. Roth accused Democrats of “fighting for the status quo” and pledged to fight for a universal public option.
Varela stated he is “a believer in Medicare for All.” Adubato contrasted her low-cost emergency care experiences abroad with thousands in bills in New Jersey.
Several candidates also briefly addressed concerns about the proliferation of AI data centers.
The event proceeded as a piece of political theater, carefully orchestrated and designed for the room alone.
The prohibition on external recording ensured the candidates’ messages remained within the walls of the old factory, a metaphor not lost on observers who see a party apparatus seeking to manage its narrative and its lineup. The notable absence from the stage, that of a certified progressive voice already on the statewide ballot, hung over the proceedings as palpably as the moderator’s stopwatch.
The Democratic primary for the competitive district, which spans parts of Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset and Union counties, will be held June 3.