WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is turning Rebecca Bennett’s alleged reluctance to answer questions on controversial issues into a campaign issue of its own.
On Tuesday, the House GOP campaign arm launched a new microsite, “No Comment Bennett,” highlighting questions it says the NJ-7 Democrat has declined to answer as she campaigns against Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr.
Bennett won the Democratic nomination in June with 27,525 votes, according to official state results, and will face Kean in the November 3rd general election. The former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive has made national security, infrastructure, abortion rights, gun policy and environmental issues prominent parts of her campaign though she routinely provides few details as to what her policy proposals would look like.
Republicans are trying to make what Bennett hasn’t said part of the conversation.
According to the NRCC, Bennett has declined to answer questions involving left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, illegal immigrants voting in U.S. elections and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s approach to housing and homeownership.
The committee’s new microsite collects those instances in one place as Republicans attempt to portray Bennett as unwilling to break with controversial figures or positions on the Democratic Left.
“Rebecca Bennett won’t answer tough questions because she isn’t running for Congress to serve New Jersey; she’s running to advance her own career,” NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole charged, adding that Bennett would not “stand up to the radicals” on issues involving federal law enforcement, illegal immigration and Israel.
The attack comes as both national parties are investing attention in NJ-7. Bennett was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program following her primary victory, while the NRCC has repeatedly targeted her over her residency, campaign financing and other issues.
The NRCC is betting that its new “No Comment” campaign can make Bennett’s own answers — or lack thereof — a liability heading into the fall.
