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Vote Mama PAC, a national organization dedicated to electing Democratic moms (especially those with young children) to public office, is endorsing U.S. Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett in the crowded Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district.

“As a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and mom of two, Rebecca is the exact kind of candidate who can flip this must-win seat for Democrats to retake the House,” said Liuba Gretchen Shirley, a former congressional candidate from Long Island who founded Vote Mama in 2018. “New Jersey voters can trust Rebecca to fight for them because she is one of them, having to pay $3,500 a month to put two kids in full-time daycare so she could go to work.”

Bennett and her husband, also a Navy veteran, have two daughters, a six-year-old and a three-year-old. She said that, if elected to Congress, she’ll support policies like enacting paid family leave and lowering childcare costs to help other young parents like herself.

Bennett is one of at least three parents running for the Democratic nomination in the 7th district. Climate scientist Megan O’Rourke, who entered the race just last week, has three adult children, while businessman Brian Varela has a young daughter (though he is, importantly, not a mama).

Also running are physician Tina Shah, former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth, former Summit Councilman Greg Vartan, and attorney Vale Mendoza. The winner will go on to face Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) in what may be New Jersey’s most competitive congressional race of 2026.

Vote Mama PAC has made two other endorsements this cycle: Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) for the 10th congressional district.

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