Former New Jersey governor appears in ad to boost son’s tight congressional race

Tom Kean Sr., a two-term former Republican governor of New Jersey, has entered the campaign trail for his son, Rep. Tom Kean Jr., by appearing in a new television advertisement. The spot emphasizes Kean Jr.’s efforts to protect Medicare and Medicaid for seniors, children and disabled residents, and frames him as a steadfast advocate. After a spring break from the House floor to address depression, Kean Jr. resumed his duties and is now campaigning vigorously, including joint events with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The race for the state’s 7th Congressional District, long considered a swing seat, pits him against Democratic Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, who is running on a platform of affordability, gun-control reform and veteran issues. Although Kean Jr. flipped the district in 2022 and won re-election in 2024, the district was narrowly carried by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill in her 2025 gubernatorial bid, while Donald Trump carried it in the 2024 presidential election. Political trackers such as the Cook Political Report list the contest as a toss-up, making the father-son ad a strategic move to leverage Kean Sr.’s lingering popularity.