NJ Spotlight News

Questions about Biden make NJ Republicans hopeful for fall elections

Democrat Sue Altman was dragged out of a legislative committee hearing almost five years ago. Now that viral moment is at the center of a new Altman campaign ad as she tries to keep the pressure on Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. in a tight race for the 7th Congressional District House seat.

“I think it speaks volumes that [Kean] doesn’t meet with reporters, doesn’t answer press questions … Doesn’t hold town halls. He won’t meet to debate me,” says Altman, the former state director of the Working Families Party. “It’s disrespectful to people in this district and people are sick and tired of it and I will continue to hammer him on his cowardice.”

It’s true that Tom Kean Jr. (R-7th), the incumbent serving his first term, generally avoids the state press, but in a district that turned a bit more Republican before the last election cycle, the strategy appears to have worked for him so far. Even his embrace of former president Donald Trump has become less of an issue since questions about President Joe Biden’s cognitive ability  has changed the landscape dramatically.

The likely top issue for anyone tuning into the fall elections is the state of the top of the ticket, with some Republican polls suggesting that New Jersey may actually be in play come November. That’s got some Democrats, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th), calling for the president to step aside.