New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District incumbent Rep. Tom Kean, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Sue Altman engaged in a lively debate on Sunday night, discussing various issues including abortion, tax policy, the Gaza conflict, Ukraine, and the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.
Kean is seeking to maintain his seat that he has held since January 2023. He attempted to portray Altman as aligned with radical elements within the Democratic Party while Altman tried to associate Kean with what she described as an exclusive club of wealthy Republicans.
Altman accused Kean of supporting a national abortion ban even in cases where it would endanger the life of the mother. However, Kean denied this claim and stated that he is pro-choice with a long record of supporting pro-choice positions.
The candidates also disagreed on fiscal and tax policy and who better represented the interests of New Jersey’s entrepreneurs. Altman described the district as one of the wealthier and more educated in the nation but highlighted its suffering due to the capping of a tax break known as the state and local tax (SALT) deduction during Trump’s administration.
Former President Donald Trump recently vowed to “get SALT back” if reelected. Altman promised to fight for bringing back this deduction in her district where prices are high and wages are low.
Kean countered by pointing out that Altman had opposed this deduction just two years ago by calling it a giveaway to the rich. He emphasized his commitment to restoring SALT deduction during future negotiations on tax packages.
Altman criticized how today’s Republican Party serves big corporations instead of fostering competition among small businesses like it used to do in her memory. She argued that small family-run farms in New Jersey’s District Seven have suffered under this economic reality where major corporations dominate pork and beef production while receiving tax incentives.
Kean responded by blaming Democrats’ support for Green New Deal policies for negatively impacting local entrepreneurs. He claimed that these policies would increase costs for New Jersey families over ten years.
Both candidates expressed strong support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas. Kean accused Altman of not taking an independent stand on foreign policy while he advocated providing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with requested military assistance against Russia’s aggression.
Altman defended herself by stating her knowledge from teaching history about standing up against bullies like Russian President Vladimir Putin.