AP: Democrats flip New Jersey House seat held by Republican Tom Kean

Eric, thank you. District 7, though, was the race that we were all watching tonight. The country was watching in terms of the money that was spent there and also the publicity that was received. Rebecca Bennett turns that district from red to blue. Thomas Cain Jr.'s time in Congress is over tonight. Let's get you to the victory celebration in Bridgewater tonight in News 12's Christine Qualey. Celebration mode certainly in full swing here at Bennett HQ Rebecca Bennett over behind me being congratulated by family, friends, supporters. She spoke just a couple of minutes ago and one of the things she said you know she has no political experience and she was able to take on a political dynasty of course referring to Tom Kane member of Congress and his father who was a governor of... New Jersey, and she spoke throughout her speech as well, a lot about what's next for her when she gets to Washington. These are points that she hit on throughout her campaign as well, talking about the cost of living, what she calls the affordability crisis, but also ending what she says is corruption in Washington, doing things like ending wars of choice is what she called them, as well as regulating members of Congress on doing things like stock trading. So we'll play a little soundbite for you now from her speech just a couple minutes ago. Let's be clear, it is not an accident that we find ourselves in this position. All of these costs have risen because we have an administration in Washington that is the most corrupt we have ever seen in the history of this country. And instead of working to make our lives better, they put special interests first and profit while we pay the price. But now you have spoken loud and clear. It's time for change. Let's take on the rampant corruption in Washington I'm going to go ahead and start putting families first. She's certainly considering herself somewhat of a bellwether for the country here in this swing district. When she spoke, she said, this is the moment we begin to turn the page on the Trump era. We have sent a message. We are not giving up on this country. And this is really a point throughout her campaign as well, that she would intend to reach across the aisle. the American dream accessible to everyone. She herself, a beneficiary of that, having been in the military as well. So, and we have other races to get to, but like I said, celebration mode in full swing here at Bennett HQ. People really excited about this somewhat of an upset, you know, here in a Republican district. Now it's going to be a bloom, at least for the next, until the next election cycle. In Bridgewater, I'm Christine Qualley, News 12 New Jersey. Christine, thank you. Much quieter tones, much different vibe at Tom Kane Jr. headquarters tonight. Tom Krasnowski there. Yeah, it's a sea change here in District 7, not necessarily just that a Democrat candidate won. The margin of victory, even when Democrats had won this Republican-leaning district in the past, the margin had never been as large as it was for Becca Bennett tonight over Tom Cain Jr. And that clearly says something about Republicans strategizing and what needs to be done on that front from their perspective to win over the independent voters that are here. that we're more comfortable voting for the Democrat candidate. Now, media was not allowed inside tonight. This was closed to press. We had to rely on voters and those that were inside afterwards. They said Congressman Cain was gracious in defeat, thankful to his supporters. He was not upset. In fact, we asked those voters. They really weren't surprised at the result. They said there's been more signage up locally for Bennett than Cain, which the margin was surprising to some. You're going to hear from them now saying, really, that more than anything, this became a federal issue more so than a matchup of local issues here in New Jersey. In my town, there were signs for Rebecca everywhere. And I had put up signs for Cain, and you didn't see very many. You have to get involved. And if you don't get involved, this is what's going to happen. Bring economic opportunity to average Americans. I don't think people in this district perceive that the federal Republican Party or the federal government is doing that. And so it will be a change here in Congressional District 7. Bennett with no political experience. Tom Cain Jr. had lots of experience. He was a two-term congressman here, a longtime state senator. His father, of course, a popular governor. His father was here tonight. And now the Cain family moving out of power here in District 7. And the change with Rebecca Bennett taking action in here. Cain committed to the peaceful transition of power, according to Bennett, and that will come in the coming months. A sea change here in District 7, turning blue here in Basking Ridge. Tom Krasnowski, News 12, New Jersey.