2026 Catholic Voter Guide

New Jersey

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
Step 1
Check or update your registration
Register →
Vote by mail
Request or track a mail ballot
Absentee →
On Election Day
Find your polling place
Look it up →
Beat the line
Vote early
Early voting →

Early in-person voting runs Oct. 24 – Nov. 1, 2026. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day and received within six days; drop-box ballots are due by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
New Jersey · 2026

U.S. House, District 7

Incumbent Tom Kean Jr. (R) returned to Congress in June 2026 after a months-long absence he attributed to a depression diagnosis.

Download printable PDF ↓
Rebecca Bennett
Democrat · Challenger
Former Navy helicopter pilot, Air National Guard officer and healthcare executive.
Campaign website ↗
Tom Kean Jr.
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2023; former New Jersey Senate minority leader.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Rebecca Bennett
Opposes the Iran war, saying the administration is continuing it “with no clear plan or exit strategy” and that voters want “no more forever wars.”
[1] Bennett campaign statement on Iran war vote
Tom Kean Jr.
Supported the initial U.S. strikes on Iran in February 2026 and has voted against Iran war powers resolutions.
[1] News12 NJ: leaders react to Iran strike[2] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Rebecca Bennett
Supports workers’ right to organize and stronger wage and labor laws; wants New Jersey to lead in AI development and high-tech jobs.
[1] Bennett campaign: Growing New Jersey’s Economy
Tom Kean Jr.
Voted for the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025), restoring federal workers’ collective bargaining; was absent for the 2026 Faster Labor Contracts Act vote.
[1] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act[2] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Rebecca Bennett
Would reverse Medicaid and Medicare cuts in the 2025 reconciliation law, protect coverage for pre-existing conditions and expand mental-health services.
[1] Bennett campaign: Lowering Healthcare Costs
Tom Kean Jr.
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law; voted for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (2026).
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)[3] PoliticsPA: discharge petition for three-year ACA subsidy extension
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Rebecca Bennett
Pledges to “restore a woman’s right to choose at the federal level.”
[1] Bennett campaign: Defending Our Freedoms
Tom Kean Jr.
Has described himself as pro-choice and says abortion policy is best decided at the state level; voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025) and supports tax credits for IVF.
[1] Gothamist: Kean record[2] NorthJersey.com: Kean on Dobbs[3] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[4] Politico: NJ IVF race
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Rebecca Bennett
No public position found.
Tom Kean Jr.
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rebecca Bennett
Says she will work with lawmakers in both parties on bipartisan immigration reform.
[1] Bennett campaign: Defending Our Freedoms
Tom Kean Jr.
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025). He was absent for 2026 immigration votes, including the Haiti TPS bill.
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rebecca Bennett
No public position found.
Tom Kean Jr.
Campaign biography cites his support for “expanding school choice” as a state legislator.
[1] Kean campaign: Meet Tom
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Rebecca Bennett
Calls for addressing “the climate crisis” through renewable-energy investment, keeping environmental regulations, removing “forever chemicals” from drinking water and incentivizing solar and electric vehicles.
[1] Bennett campaign: Safeguarding New Jersey’s Environment
Tom Kean Jr.
Campaign describes a “measured approach” to clean energy using nuclear, solar and natural gas; voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] Kean campaign: Meet Tom[2] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
New Jersey · 2026

U.S. House, District 9

Download printable PDF ↓
Rosie Pino
Republican · Challenger
Nonprofit founder and businesswoman; daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants.
Campaign website ↗
Nellie Pou
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2025; former New Jersey state senator.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Rosie Pino
No public position found.
Nellie Pou
Voted for Iran war powers resolutions in March, June and September 2026 and for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] House roll call 199 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Rosie Pino
No public position found.
Nellie Pou
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025).
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Rosie Pino
Favors lowering health costs through competition and price transparency, stronger Health Savings Accounts and interstate insurance sales; says “we must keep our promises to seniors” on Medicare.
[1] Pino campaign: Issues
Nellie Pou
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law and offered an amendment to protect Medicaid coverage for mothers; voted for extending enhanced ACA tax credits (2026).
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] Pou campaign: priorities[3] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Rosie Pino
Says she is “proudly pro-life” and believes abortion should be rare and limited, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother.
[1] Pino campaign: Issues
Nellie Pou
Voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025) and the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] House roll call 37 (2026): Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Rosie Pino
No public position found.
Nellie Pou
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rosie Pino
Supports President Trump’s border policies and equipping Border Patrol and ICE “to arrest and deport violent criminals”; favors legal immigration.
[1] Pino campaign: Issues
Nellie Pou
Voted against the Laken Riley Act (2025) and the Deporting Fraudsters Act (2026); voted for the Haiti TPS bill (2026).
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] House roll call 94 (2026): Deporting Fraudsters Act[3] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Rosie Pino
Supports school choice, “including charter schools, education savings accounts,” and funding that follows the student.
[1] Pino campaign: Issues
Nellie Pou
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Rosie Pino
Backs President Trump’s efforts to “unleash American energy” to lower costs.
[1] Pino campaign: Issues
Nellie Pou
Voted against overturning California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
Free or Paid · Direct to Your Inbox

Follow the election with Letters from Leo

The most-read Substack on Pope Leo XIV and American politics. Subscribe here without leaving the page.

← All state voter guides