Rebecca Bennett highlights gun safety in fight against Tom Kean
Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett joined former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords at a forum on gun violence, using the event to discuss what she…
A forum on gun violence in New Jersey, featuring Rebecca Bennett and Gabby Giffords, is a political pitch that writes itself. Giffords has a compelling personal story, and Bennett is hoping some of that moral gravity rubs off on her campaign. It’s a safe play in a district where the Democratic base wants to hear it, but it doesn’t change the fact that the conversation about firearms in this country has moved past the point of recycled slogans.
Commentary is separate from the original publisher's reporting.
NJ 7th District: Bennett highlights gun safety in fight with Kean Jr. - ABC7 New York POLITICS
NEW PROVIDENCE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett joined former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords at a forum on gun violence, using the event to discuss what she described as the need for sensible federal gun laws.
Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman who was shot while speaking to voters in 2011, came to New Jersey to support Bennett's campaign for the state's 7th Congressional District.
"I hope others are inspired to keep moving forward... no matter what, no matter what, no matter what," Giffords said.
Bennett is campaigning to unseat Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th District. Her campaign said she has raised more than $8 million as she seeks to flip the seat.
Bennett criticized Kean, arguing that he is not accountable to voters.
"When you look at why is it that Congress has been unable to get these things done, I think it's because we have people like Congressman Tom Kean Jr. in office that are putting their own personal interests over the needs of all of us," Bennett said.
The candidates also faced off in their only debate, giving voters an opportunity to compare their positions.
"My focus is something we can find common ground, even if you disagree with certain people. That is really different than my opponent," Kean said during the debate.
"Things are not working for people right now. We are living through a cost-of-living crisis right now," Bennett said.
According to the latest polls, New Jersey residents' economic concerns and household finances remain major issues in the race.
Kean's campaign has mounted what was described as a heavy media push to communicate his message to voters. Some voters have also raised questions about his absence from Congress while addressing a mental health issue.
The Bennett campaign said it is not focusing on Kean's diagnosis but argued that the district needs a dedicated representative in Congress.
"He has been failing this district long before that absence happened. You know, he was the deciding vote on the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which is why tens of thousands of people in our district are losing access to their health insurance," Bennett said.
The race for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District continues as both candidates make their case to voters ahead of the election.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
A forum on gun violence in New Jersey, featuring Rebecca Bennett and Gabby Giffords, is a political pitch that writes itself. Giffords has a compelling personal story, and Bennett is hoping some of that moral gravity rubs off on her campaign. It’s a safe play in a district where the Democratic base wants to hear it, but it doesn’t change the fact that the conversation about firearms in this country has moved past the point of recycled slogans.
Democrats keep returning to the well of “sensible gun laws” like it’s a novel idea rather than a talking point we’ve heard for a decade. The uncomfortable reality is that the cities with the strictest gun control in America are the ones setting records for shootings. A voter in West Orange or Livingston might feel good about this event, but feeling good isn’t the same as being safe. The focus should be on prosecuting the criminals who use guns, not adding more paperwork for the law-abiding homeowner.
Meanwhile, Tom Kean is running on the record of the suburbs, which is to say he’s talking about the actual quality of life concerns—schools, taxes, and public safety. Bennett wants to make this race about a national cultural wedge issue, but New Jersey voters are smart enough to see that Washington-style symbolism doesn't do much for Main Street. Giffords’ presence is a photo op, not a policy solution.
The real problem with this strategy is that it ignores the violent offenders and the mental health crisis that drives so many of these tragedies. It is easier to demand a vote on a bill than it is to fix a broken system. If Bennett wants points for sincerity, she gets them. But if she wants to win, she’ll need to explain how her plan stops the next crime in Newark, not just how it makes her feel better about voting. Kean’s focus on enforcement beats her focus on imagery..
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.