Local polling station during Tuesday's statewide primary election New Jersey Monitor
House of Representatives Election
JUNE 23, 2026
New Jersey voters cast their ballots in statewide primary election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, finalizing the Democratic and Republican nominees for all 12 seats in US House of Representatives ahead of the upcoming November general election.
The primary elections established several highly competitive matchups that political analysts expect will impact the narrow partisan balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Election officials finalized the tallies this week, solidifying the battlefield for what is expected to be a contentious autumn campaign cycle.
The most closely watched race in the state was in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, which national political observers widely labeled a toss-up. Democratic challenger and former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett secured her party's nomination after defeating three primary opponents by capturing 45.4% of the vote. Bennett will face incumbent Republican Representative Thomas Kean Jr., who advanced unopposed to the general election ballot. Federal Election Commission filings from mid-May indicated that Kean held a substantial financial advantage, reporting over $3.3 million in cash on hand compared to Bennett's $764,068.
EBHS sophomore Merolla Girgis said, “I think this election season will be pretty intense because both parties are trying hard to gain control of the House. Even though primary elections don’t always get a lot of attention, I think they matter because they decide who ends up on the ballot in November.”
In the southern 2nd Congressional District, Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock emerged victorious from a crowded Democratic field, securing 39.6% of the vote to defeat civil rights attorney Tim Alexander and two other challengers. Mullock is now set to challenge incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, who ran unopposed in his primary.
Meanwhile, in the 3rd Congressional District, former New York City police officer Michael P. McGuire won the Republican nomination with 57.9% of the vote. McGuire will challenge incumbent Democratic Representative Herbert C. Conaway Jr. in November.
A highly competitive open race emerged in the 12th Congressional District following the retirement of long-serving Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. The vacancy drew a field of twelve active candidates to the Democratic primary. Army veteran and surgeon Adam Hamawy ultimately secured the Democratic nomination with 28.6% of the vote, defeating notable opponents including former state director Sue Altman and East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen. Hamawy will face Republican Gregg Mele, who ran uncontested.
EBHS sophomore Mingshan Lee said, “Personally, I think voters should pay attention to these races because the results could affect national politics, not just New Jersey.”
The election results highlighted how local races can contribute to national outcomes. While the general election remains months away, New Jersey voters have already determined which candidates will compete for seats in Congress this November.
