Recent polling and race ratings have positioned Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett as the clear frontrunner in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. A mid-September StimSight survey showed her ahead of incumbent Republican Thomas Kean Jr. by five points among likely voters, prompting the Cook Political Report to shift the contest from toss-up to favoring Bennett. Kean’s extended spring absence from Congress for depression treatment, during which he missed more than 100 votes, has weighed on his standing in the swing district. Bennett’s campaign has secured labor endorsements, including a firefighters union flip, and strong fundraising, while outside spending continues on both sides ahead of the November election. The September 27 debate produced competing victory claims but has not yet altered the underlying polling or rating trends.