Rebecca Bennett

Rebecca Bennett served in the U.S. Navy. She earned a high school diploma from the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. She earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School. Her career experience included working as a healthcare executive.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m running because Washington needs fewer career politicians and more leaders who understand the challenges we are facing in this country. As a Navy helicopter pilot, healthcare leader, and mom of two, I learned that real leadership means showing up, listening, and delivering.

I grew up in a small town and earned an ROTC scholarship to study chemical engineering at Cornell University before commissioning into the U.S. Navy.

I served more than 15 years in uniform as a helicopter pilot, experimental test pilot, aircraft commander, and officer in the Air National Guard. After graduating flight school at the top of my class, I flew the MH-60 Seahawk and was the number one pilot in every squadron I served in. I was selected as the only MH-60S helicopter pilot in my class to attend U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, becoming just the 18th female Navy test pilot in the Navy's history.

I used the GI Bill to get my MBA from The Wharton School at Penn. When it was time to leave active duty, my husband and I, who is also a Navy veteran and union member, chose to move to NJ to raise our family.

I built a career in healthcare because I wanted to continue mission-driven work to focus on increasing access to care, improving patients’ outcomes, and decreasing costs. I started my career in healthcare working for J&J and continued working in digital health, obesity, and gastrointestinal care.

My husband, Alex, and I live in Bridgewater with our two daughters and our dog, Sourdough.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Holding the current Administration accountable. The current Congress has completely abdicated its responsibility to be an equal branch of government. Right now flipping the House is critical to provide some form of accountability to the current Administration. I’m a pragmatic, common sense leader who looks for common ground to work with people to make life better for all of us.Affordability. As a mom raising two daughters attending public school, I fully understand the challenges of balancing work & family while navigating inflation and the rising cost of living. I want to pursue policies in Congress that will help bring down costs for families in New Jersey. You can read more by visiting: rebeccabennettforcongress.com/priorities.

Healthcare. After I left the Navy, I started working in healthcare. I’ve worked at early-stage startups and Fortune 50 companies, and I’m ready to stand up to anyone who tries to strip away healthcare from New Jersey families. We have to expand access and bring down costs for patients, and I’m excited to bring my experience in healthcare to Congress.National security. I served in the Navy for over a decade as a helicopter pilot, experimental test pilot, and aircraft commander. The use of new and improving technologies, including AI and drones, are only making the world more dangerous. It’s time for Congress to have a new generation of veterans who can speak to national security issues with steady leadership and the experience necessary to help keep America safe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am particularly passionate about women’s health, supporting families & making life more affordable, transportation/modernizing airspace, and supporting veterans & military families.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to leaders who have actually borne the weight of the decisions they make—people who’ve served, led under pressure, and understand what’s at stake for the country and for the people they represent.

That’s why I respect servant leaders like Jason Crow, Pat Ryan, and Chrissy Houlahan.

They all come from a background of service and bring that mindset into Congress. They’ve led in high-stakes environments, made hard decisions, and understand that leadership is about accountability, not headlines. What I admire most is that they focus on getting things done: strengthening national security, supporting veterans and families, and delivering real results for their constituents.

They also embody something I believe deeply: being strong and being kind are not mutually exclusive. You can lead with toughness and discipline while still treating people with respect, empathy, and dignity. That balance matters, especially in a moment when so much of our politics feels driven by division instead of purpose.

That’s the kind of leader I am and the type of leader I’ll be in office - grounded in service, focused on results, and committed to putting people over politics.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

For someone elected to Congress, the job comes down to a few core responsibilities:

1. Represent your constituents

You are their voice in Washington - listening to their concerns, understanding what they’re facing in their daily lives, and advocating for their interests, even when it’s difficult or politically inconvenient.

2. Legislate

Write, support, and pass laws that address real problems - lowering costs, improving healthcare, strengthening the economy, and protecting fundamental rights. That means not just voting, but doing the hard work to shape policy and build coalitions to get things done.

3. Provide oversight and accountability

Hold the executive branch and federal agencies accountable. That includes ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, preventing corruption, and demanding transparency, regardless of which party is in power.

4. Serve constituents directly

Help people navigate federal agencies, whether it’s veterans’ benefits, Social Security, passports, or small business support. This is often one of the most immediate and impactful parts of the job.

5. Protect national security and uphold the Constitution

Make decisions about war, funding the military, and foreign policy with seriousness and discipline. Congress has a constitutional duty to authorize the use of force and provide a check on executive power.

6. Be present and accessible

Show up - at community events, town halls, and meetings. People deserve a representative who is visible, accountable, and engaged.

At its core, the role is about service, accountability, and delivering real results for the people you represent—not personal gain or partisan games.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave the world, and this nation, a better place than I found it.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job as a kid was being a soccer referee. You learn pretty quickly how to make tough calls, keep things fair, and stand by your decisions, even when not everyone agrees.

My first job after college was being commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. I served for over 15 years, leading missions, people and teams all over the world.

Those experiences shaped how I lead today: be fair, be accountable, and don’t shy away from making hard decisions.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of my biggest challenges in my life was transitioning out of the military and moving into the private sector.

After more than 15 years of service, where the mission, structure, and sense of purpose are so clear, stepping into a completely different environment was really hard. I had to learn a new language, navigate a new culture, and figure out how to translate my experience into a different context.

That experience is exactly why I started volunteering to support other veterans going through the same transition to helping them find opportunities, build networks, and rediscover a sense of purpose in civilian life.

It also shaped my decision to run for office. I’ve seen firsthand how many people, veterans and non-veterans alike, are trying to navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind. I want to help fix that and make sure more people have a smoother path than I did.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

US Reps: Pat Ryan, Chrissy Houlahan, Seth Moulton, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, and Fmr. Rep. Patrick Murphy

National Orgs: VoteVets, New Politics, VoteMama, TheNext50, Leadership Now PAC, Taking the Hill PAC, SquareOne Politics, Serve America, JStreet - Primary Approved, Tri-State Maxed Out Womens PAC, Foreign Policy for America, Defend the Vote, Frontline Fighters PAC, Democrats Work for America, Moms Demand Action - Gun Sense Candidate Distinction

Organized Labor: CWA District 1, NJ FMBA, The Public Alliance NJ

Local Endorsements: College Democrats of NJ, Door to Door Democracy, Hunterdon County Democrats Committee, Somerset County Democrats, Union County Democrats, Morris County Democrats

Over 100 local elected leaders from across NJ-07

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9/11

Campaign websiteBennett's campaign website stated the following:Making New Jersey More AffordableAs a mom of two, Rebecca understands the challenges of balancing work & family while navigating inflation and the rising cost of living.From childcare to groceries, it feels like the price of everything has gone up. Rebecca’s family knows what it’s like to deal with rising prices, and she knows that families across our district are feeling it too. It’s time for both parties to work together to make life in New Jersey more affordable for all of us. Things aren’t working the way they have in the past, and Rebecca’s ready to go to Congress to deliver real results for all of us.In Congress, Rebecca will:Lead efforts to cut red tape, increase housing supply and construction, and make housing more affordable for buyers and renters.Fully restore the SALT deduction so that New Jersey taxpayers are no longer double taxed on their hard-earned income.Lower energy costs across New Jersey by investing in clean, reliable, and domestic energy sources, so that families pay less and our communities are more energy resilient. Pass paid family leave, because parents should be able to balance work with supporting their kids and loved ones.Fully fund elder care across New Jersey and support our caregivers, because New Jersey seniors deserve respect and dignity without breaking the bank.Growing New Jersey’s EconomyRebecca’s ready to use her private sector experience to bring Republicans and Democrats together to build a healthy economy that supports good-paying jobs across New Jersey.While she was in the Navy, Rebecca earned her M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s The Wharton School, and went on to receive an Inc. Magazine “Best in Business” award in 2024 – so she knows that Congress needs to do everything possible to create a 21st-century economy that puts New Jersey workers and families first. It’s time we put the rhetoric and the fighting behind us, and bring together public-private partnerships that create good-paying jobs and allow our children, and our children’s children, to succeed.In Congress, Rebecca will:Ensure New Jersey is a national leader in clean energy, biotech, AI development, and high-tech jobs, instead of cutting and rescinding funding intended to move our tech sector forward.Fund job training and apprenticeship programs so young people across New Jersey are ready for good paying jobs that don’t need a college degree.Implement a commonsense and predictable trade policy that allows families, businesses, and foreign allies alike to build a better future together.Support workers’ rights and unions to ensure the right to organize and strengthen fair wage and labor laws to improve job security in New Jersey.Modernize our air traffic control system and invest in other key infrastructure upgrades, including the Gateway Tunnel, to ensure one-seat rides and reduced traffic congestion.Lowering Healthcare CostsRebecca has worked across healthcare, from early-stage startups to Fortune 50 companies, and is ready to stand up to anyone who tries to strip away healthcare from New Jersey families.Growing up, Rebecca’s grandmother was able to move into a senior facility and receive the care she needed because of Medicaid. Rebecca knows that Congress needs to make it easier, not harder, to access the healthcare you need. While MAGA Republicans in Congress passed legislation to boot millions off of Medicaid and make it harder to purchase health insurance, Rebecca worked to increase access and improve patient outcomes in women’s health, oncology, obesity, and gastrointestinal care. America’s healthcare system is broken, and Rebecca’s focused on making it work for all of us.In Congress, Rebecca will:Protect those with pre-existing conditions, to ensure they are able to access affordable health coverage throughout their lives.Restore Tom Kean Jr. and MAGA Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, that will reduce the number of Americans with health insurance and drive up overall healthcare costs.Increase significantly our support for mental health services, particularly for kids and young adults, in order to provide greater access to care and reduce wait times; and hold social media companies accountable for harmful practices.Oppose illegal cuts to the National Institutes of Health, particularly for lifesaving grants that affect women and veterans.Reduce administrative burdens and streamline cross-state licensing to make it easier for healthcare professionals to move, work, and serve where they’re needed most.Shift incentives toward outcomes, so provider organizations and insurance companies are rewarded for keeping people healthy, not just for the number of procedures performed.Keeping Our Neighborhoods SafeIn the Navy, Rebecca operated weapons of war and trained her fellow Sailors how to use them. She knows the purpose they serve and that they should not be on our streets.People should be able to feel safe where they live, where they work, and where they send their kids to school. Rebecca shares the same worries as all New Jersey parents when it’s time for her girls to leave for school – what if they don’t come home safe at the end of the day? We can envision a New Jersey where we feel safe in our communities, free from an epidemic of gun violence. It’s well past time for Congress to make it a reality.In Congress, Rebecca will:Pass commonsense, popular gun safety reforms to keep firearms out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them and make our communities less safe to live and work in.Get weapons of war off our streets – it should not be easier for untrained civilians to access these weapons than it is for members of our armed forces.Support the essential work our law enforcement officers do to keep our communities safe and work to build trust with the communities they police.Ensure local law enforcement agencies have the resources and tools they need to protect New Jersey families – at school, at home, and everywhere in between.Address America’s mental health crisis by providing greater access to both long-term and crisis services. Reimplement the tax on silencers to make it harder for criminals to turn their firearms into mass killing devices.Restore funding for gun safety research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reopen the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.Protecting America’s National SecurityRebecca has led missions in some of the most challenging conditions around the world, and will do everything in her power to keep Americans safe.As a Navy veteran, Rebecca has seen firsthand the threats we face and as an experimental test pilot, led the test and evaluation of new technology for the United States and partner nations. The use of new and improving technologies, including AI and drones, are only making the world more dangerous. The United States is the strongest democracy with the best military in the world – but we risk losing it if we cannot maintain our competitive advantage. We need steady leadership and steadfast vision. In Congress, Rebecca will:Prepare the United States for 21st century warfare in order to counter increasing threats of advanced cyberwarfare, drone warfare, and the use of AI in international conflicts.Improve the Defense Department’s technology development and acquisition process to ensure our servicemembers have the equipment and capabilities they need to protect our nation.Counter China as the number one strategic threat to global democracy and the United States’ standing over the next 50 years.Maintain the armed forces as an apolitical organization – not the partisan tools of either political party or any individual.Preserve our standing on the world stage as a reliable partner intent on preserving peace and supporting democracy worldwide.Defending Our FreedomsIn the Navy, Rebecca swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and in Congress, she will work to protect the rights and freedoms it grants every citizen of New Jersey.Service has always been Rebecca’s north star – she’s running for Congress because she wants to make this country better for all of us, especially her daughters and the next generation of Americans. She knows we’re in a critical moment of our country’s history, and it’s time for us all to step up and make America a better place. We can save our democracy, but only if we elect representatives who are committed to public service first and foremost and put country over party.In Congress, Rebecca will:Restore a woman’s right to choose at the federal level and ensure that New Jersey women’s reproductive rights and health are not infringed upon.Pass a ban on Members of Congress trading stocks, to ensure that our elected representatives serve the public interest, not their own bottom line.Protect voting rights for all Americans and make it easier, not harder, to register to vote and make our voices heard in our elections.Fight to protect LGBTQ+ rights by advancing the Equality Act, ensuring that no one is discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. Work with commonsense lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to tough challenges, including on immigration reform and trade.Hold the current administration accountable for ignoring judicial orders and constitutional checks on executive power, including Congress’s ability to determine spending.Pass real campaign finance reform so that billionaires can’t buy our elections in order to gain power as unelected officials and enrich themselves.Supporting America’s Veterans & Military FamiliesRebecca served in the Navy for over a decade as a helicopter pilot and aircraft commander, and will be a tireless advocate for her fellow veterans and military families in Congress.Both Rebecca and her husband served in the Navy, and know the toll deployments take on families, both during and after their service. As Americans, it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that our veterans and their families get the support they need – in education, employment, housing, healthcare, and more. When we bridge the divide between military families and citizens, we all do better.In Congress, Rebecca will:Work with veterans’ organizations to better aid former servicemembers in their transition to civilian life, find good-paying jobs in the public and private sectors.Build community between veterans through public-private partnerships, and ensure that active duty service members have a clear understanding of their opportunities after service.Ensure veterans can seamlessly translate their military training and experience into civilian job certifications so they can continue to serve and lead in the private sector without unnecessary barriers.Better support military families, who are often underemployed and underappreciated, with constant moves contributing to high unemployment rates and lack of support. Protect veterans’ benefits and prevent cuts at the VA.Make it easier for veterans to access the services that they qualify for and update outdated technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs and VA hospitals.Increase funding for mental health services for veterans and family members of veterans, particularly for PTSD.Safeguarding New Jersey’s EnvironmentRebecca is ready to address the climate crisis by investing in renewable energy, creating jobs, and lowering energy costs in New Jersey.Clean air and clean water are essential to our way of life in New Jersey, but environmental deregulation and defunding threaten our ability to preserve the resources we have. With smart investments in renewable energy and real environmental stewardship, we can create jobs and lower energy costs while also tackling the climate crisis and ensuring New Jersey families have clean air and clean water for generations to come.In Congress, Rebecca will:Maintain essential environmental regulations that help limit the pollution of the air we breathe and water we drink.Facilitate the removal of forever chemicals, lead, and other dangerous pollutants from drinking water and upgrade water treatment facilities.Preserve billions of dollars in environmental grants for organizations throughout New Jersey for issues including air pollution, superfund cleanup, renewable energy, and more.Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure projects that create good-paying jobs and protect New Jersey from damage from intensifying storms and flooding.Support New Jersey farms’ efforts to deal with extreme weather and a changing climate, especially small, family farms that increasingly have come under threat.Incentivize the use of renewable and green energy, including solar installation and electric vehicles, and upgrade our power grid to meet increased energy demand through new technologies.— Rebecca Bennett's campaign website (March 6, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Campaign ads

MAGA Lies - Rebecca Bennett campaign ad, released May 26, 2026

For Them - Rebecca Bennett campaign ad, released April 14, 2026

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