WASHINGTON, N.J. — Washington, D.C. is undoubtedly the center of gravity in American politics, but another Washington over 100 miles away could help decide the fate of Congress for the latter half of President Donald Trump's term. It's a small town in New Jersey where Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged GOP supporters to help get Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., re-elected to the House in November.
Kean is seeking a third term representing the Garden State's 7th Congressional District, which is notably home to Trump's Bedminster golf course where he spends a significant amount of time. "We consider this a top three race, not just a top ten. That's how important it is to us.
It has a target on its back," Johnson told the room at Hawke Point Golf Club, Fox News Digital heard. "They're investing tons of money to try to take [Kean] down, but they are not going to be successful." The district happens to be one of the most critical battlegrounds in the country this year. Trump narrowly won the area by two points in 2024, though it flipped for Democrat Gov.
Mikie Sherrill by the same margin in 2025. HOW ONE NYC SUBURB COULD DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE HOUSE Democrats are now betting they have a real opportunity to score another victory in November by sending former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett to the House. And with such a small number of House seats still considered politically neutral, it could prove decisive for which party controls the House next year.
DEMS PICK CHALLENGER FOR GOP CONGRESSMAN WHO VANISHED FROM PUBLIC VIEW AMID HEALTH MYSTERY If Republicans win, that means enacting Trump's agenda for another two years. Johnson told Fox News Digital the GOP has "aggressive" plans to tackle government waste and excessive spending. But if Democrats win the district — and potentially the House — Trump's goals could grind to a halt.
Kean, for his part, told Fox News Digital that he's confident he can win again. "I've been a really effective legislator who's brought things back to the district, who's listened to my constituents on their needs and their concerns, in contrast to my opponent, who has really been a very abject partisan," Kean said on the sidelines of his event. "She's actually stopped going to church because there are Republicans [there].
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