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Tina Shah leads NJ-07 race: Poll
The survey also found voters were more likely to trust a doctor than a politician to address healthcare costs.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 29, May 2026
- 16:57 EDT
- 36
Tina Shah leading the race / X/ Tina Shah
Democratic congressional candidate Tina Shah holds a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, according to a new poll released by 314 Action Fund.
The survey, conducted by Z to A Research between May 24 and May 26 among 430 likely voters, found Shah leading Kean 46 percent to 43 percent in an initial head-to-head matchup.
Also Read: Nirav Shah backed by Maine Gun Safety Coalition for governor
However, after respondents were presented with biographical information about both candidates, Shah's advantage expanded to 49 percent to 43 percent.
The poll also found that independent voters favored Shah by a 16-point margin, with 50 percent backing the Democratic candidate compared to 34 percent supporting Kean.
314 Action released a poll showing I lead Tom Kean Jr. 46% to 43% in Nov and after voters learn more about both of us,that lead grows to 49% to 43%!With just 4 days left until the election,voters are ready to send a doctor to the House and reject Tom Kean Jr.'s destructive chaos. pic.twitter.com/fKJvPjZdui
— Dr. Tina Shah (@drtinashahnj) May 29, 2026
According to the polling memo, Kean's favorability ratings remain underwater in the district, with 50 percent of likely voters holding an unfavorable view of the congressman and 32 percent expressing a favorable opinion. The survey also reported that 56 percent of voters viewed President Donald Trump unfavorably.
In a statement accompanying the poll release, Erik Polyak, executive director of 314 Action, said, "Tom Kean Jr. is in serious trouble and this poll makes clear why he's hiding from voters."
"He's not well liked by voters from the get-go, he's already losing to Dr. Shah head-to-head, and the more voters learn about both candidates, the worse it gets for him," Polyak said.
Polyak added that Shah's background as an intensive care physician resonated with voters concerned about healthcare issues.
The poll found Shah benefited after voters learned more about her record, including her work as an ICU physician at Rahway Hospital, her service as an adviser on veterans' healthcare to three U.S. presidents from both political parties, and her role in efforts to prohibit insurers from using pre-authorization requirements to delay patient care.
The survey also found that concerns about healthcare costs were a key issue in the race. According to the memo, 78 percent of independent voters said they would trust a doctor more than a politician to fight for affordable, quality healthcare.
Shah, a former senior adviser to the U.S. Surgeon General, who launched her congressional campaign in July 2025, is one of several Democrats seeking to unseat Kean in a race expected to be closely watched nationally.
Her campaign has attracted support from healthcare-focused political groups, including 314 Action Fund, which endorsed her in May as part of its effort to elect more doctors and scientists to public office.
Shah has also secured endorsements from labor and Democratic leaders, including the American Federation of Government Employees Local 102, which represents workers at Veterans Affairs hospitals, and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas.
The physician's campaign has emerged as a significant fundraising operation in the race. Shah announced in January that she had raised more than $1 million since entering the contest, and federal filings later showed her campaign had raised nearly $2 million by the end of March.
New Jersey's congressional primary election is scheduled for June 2.
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