Dem in Trump district race scrubs social media of posts praising progressives
In a surprising turn of events, Democrat Rebecca Bennett, who is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, has come under fire for deleting several social media posts that showcased her support for progressive candidates and causes. Bennett, a Navy veteran and member of the Air Force National Guard, has been positioning herself as a moderate in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., in a district that has been described as pro-Trump by local media outlets.
A recent review of Bennett’s social media account revealed that she had deleted posts praising progressive figures such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Kamala Harris. In one now-deleted post, Bennett expressed her admiration for Warren, stating, “Love her,” while in another post, she praised a video featuring Warren set to a Taylor Swift song. Similarly, Bennett had deleted posts celebrating Harris’ selection as Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020.
Furthermore, Bennett removed a post where she lauded Sen. Cory Booker as the “best senator,” a statement that has since been taken down. Additionally, during the civil unrest following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Bennett shared a post supporting former Obama campaign strategist David Plouffe’s call for House Democrats to investigate law enforcement officials responding to the riots.
Bennett’s decision to delete these posts has raised questions about her political leanings and whether she is truly a moderate as she has claimed. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has accused Bennett of trying to distance herself from her progressive past and conceal her radical agenda. However, Bennett’s campaign team has dismissed these allegations, stating that she is focused on serving the country and highlighting Rep. Kean’s shortcomings in representing working families in the district.
The upcoming race in NJ-07 is expected to be closely watched in the 2022 midterm elections, as Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives. With the GOP holding 220 seats compared to 215 for the Democrats, the outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.
It remains to be seen how Bennett’s deleted social media posts will impact her campaign and whether voters in the 7th Congressional District will view her as a credible candidate. As the race heats up, both Bennett and Kean will likely face intense scrutiny as they vie for the opportunity to represent the people of New Jersey in Congress.
