| As Tom Kean Jr. prepares to hit the debate stage on Sunday, New Jersey Republicans aren’t exactly giving him a boost of confidence.
The Gothamist / WNYC reports that “local Republicans have started to voice concerns that their party may lose the seat come November.”
Asked if he is worried about Kean Jr.’s reelection odds, Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said: “No doubt about that.” Republican state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon offered these inspiring words for Kean Jr. when asked about his chances: “it’s a tough race, there’s no denying that” (before proceeding to compliment his opponent’s bio).
Read more about how even Republicans are panicking over Kean Jr.’s cratering campaign ahead of debate night:
- New Jersey Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick is worried about his friend Rep. Tom Kean, Jr.’s reelection chances.
- “No doubt about that,” Bramnick told Gothamist.
- […] Donald Trump’s unpopularity in the state and what some have called Kean’s reclusive approach to campaigning, has left the two-term incumbent locked in one of the country’s most contested midterm races, and some local Republicans have started to voice concerns that their party may lose the seat come November.
- Kean is running against first-time Democratic candidate Rebecca Bennett. The contest could help determine which party will control Congress in the final two years of Trump’s term. A recent StimSight Research poll placed Bennett up by five points against Kean.
- The StimSight Research poll also showed 39% of voters viewed Kean as “very unfavorable.”
- “It’s going to be really tough for him to overcome that,” said professor Dan Cassino, executive director of polling for Fairleigh Dickinson University.
- Kean’s campaign declined to comment directly on the worries of fellow Republicans over his reelection chances.
- But Republican state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon acknowledged that Kean is in a difficult position this year.
- “Tom’s a good guy, and he’s got a lot of loyalty from constituents up there. So we are hopeful that Tom will prevail. But it’s a tough race, there’s no denying that,” said O’Scanlon, who serves as his party’s budget officer in the legislature.
- According to O’Scanlon, one of Kean’s challenges is the strength of his opponent. Bennett has a background in the healthcare industry and, like Sherill, is a former Navy helicopter pilot.
- “ The candidate he’s up against, that formula has worked for Democrats in the past,” he said.
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