Zack Mullock in N.J. 2nd Congressional District and Rebecca Bennett in N.J. 7th Congressional District | Endorsement

Since he returned to the White House, Donald Trump’s policies have worsened inflation, pushed up energy costs, cut healthcare for millions, and pushed the deficit to its highest levels since the pandemic — $2 trillion and counting.

The president is not on the ballot in November, but two of his Republican enablers — Jeff Van Drew and Thomas Kean Jr. — are up for reelection and New Jersey voters should hold them accountable.

Fortunately, the incumbents face challengers who are ready to meet the moment and help restore Congress’ role in the nation’s system of checks and balances.

In New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, The Inquirer endorses Democrat Zack Mullock.

The Cape May mayor is a pragmatist who is willing to work across ideological differences for the benefit of his constituents in the mostly working-class South Jersey district that includes Vineland, Atlantic City, and Cape May.

Mullock told the Editorial Board he has seen people’s economic struggles and his opponent’s hand in making things worse by voting for the Big Beautiful Bill Act. The district includes three of the state’s four poorest counties and a middle class that increasingly finds it harder to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise.

As Van Drew’s “undying support” for Trump has left his constituents with moribund pocketbooks, Mullock said he will fight for good-paying jobs, lowering energy costs, and building affordable homes.

Mullock believes there must be major changes to the healthcare system to improve affordability. He said he supports U.S. Sen. Andy Kim’s MediKids legislation, which would guarantee health coverage for children and young adults as an intermediate step toward Medicare for All.

The Democrat said data centers, and Big Tech in general, should face federal oversight and regulation. On immigration, he told the Editorial Board that having a strong border is important but so is comprehensive immigration reform. As is stopping the administration’s assault on the immigrant community.

“The fact that we have people being terrorized in our streets here in South Jersey is outrageous and frankly disgusting,” he said. “We need to become, again, that country of dignity and respect.”

Incumbent Van Drew declined to meet with the Editorial Board.

Also running is Ramon Mora Jr., who in his interview with this board laid out a series of progressive policy answers for the issues facing the district. Mora’s compelling life story, public service ethos, and firsthand experience with the challenges many Americans face — including homelessness and rising healthcare costs — make the underdog independent a candidate to watch.

However, in this race, Zack Mullock is the best choice for voters and has earned the Editorial Board’s endorsement.

In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, The Inquirer endorses Democrat Rebecca Bennett.

The former Navy helicopter pilot and health technology executive told the Editorial Board she felt called to run for office for the same reason she joined the military, which is her love for America and the opportunity it stands for.

“I really consider my life the story of the American Dream because I was able to go to college on an ROTC scholarship. I used the GI Bill for an MBA, and my husband and I bought our house with a VA loan,” she said. “I am where I am today because of programs like that. And that American Dream just feels so far out of reach for so many people right now.”

To put that opportunity back in people’s grasp, Bennett wants to rollback Trump’s tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and help make healthcare, housing, energy, and childcare more affordable — including capping families’ childcare costs at 7% of household income. She believes there should be federal guardrails for artificial intelligence development and strong community input on data center development.

Bennett’s district — which sits north of Trenton and includes Hunterdon and Warren Counties and parts of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union — has been represented since 2023 by Thomas Kean Jr.

The incumbent — the son and namesake of the former New Jersey governor and the scion of a family that traces its political lineage to the Revolution — was a traditional conservative stalwart during his almost two decades in the General Assembly. Under Trump, he has abandoned some of those values, including backing the president’s tariffs, which have raised prices at home and hurt America’s standing abroad. Kean also supports the president’s war of choice in Iran, which continues to roil world energy prices and has led to increasing pain at the pump.

Earlier this year, Kean disappeared without explanation for nearly four months. When he reemerged, he said he had been in treatment for depression. As this board has expressed, Kean deserves praise for going public with his diagnosis, but he is still an elected official with duties to his constituents. His monthslong lack of transparency remains troubling.

Kean did not respond to multiple invitations to meet with the Editorial Board.

As for Bennett, she described herself as a commonsense candidate who is interested in solving problems. She said that she is ready to work across the aisle — and with partnership-minded people across the country — to move the Garden State forward.

“That’s how it was in the military. We were just there as Americans to get the job done. And that’s the mindset that I’m going to bring to office,” she said.

Washington could use some of that can-do spirit. That is why The Inquirer endorses Rebecca Bennett.