CD7 Democratic Primary Candidates

Rebecca Bennett served in the Navy for over a decade as a helicopter pilot and aircraft commander. While in the service, she earned her M.B.A., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and started her family. Now she is a recognized business leader, working with mission-driven startups to advance healthcare opportunities for all Americans. 

Michael Roth is a nationally recognized economic leader: a leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration, job development and housing expert, and New Jersey native trusted by Senators, Governors, Mayors, and a President to guide America’s economy through crisis and deliver results for millions. He graduated from New Jersey public schools before starting his first nonprofit in college dedicated to revitalizing the Lehigh Valley. His early career included roles at IBM, JP Morgan, and Johnson & Johnson, running his own business, and earning his MBA at Wharton. 

Dr. Tina Shah is an intensive care doctor who has spent her career fighting for her patients and to improve the quality of care in New Jersey and across the country. A triple board-certified physician, Tina has cared for patients at their most vulnerable and seen firsthand how rising costs, insurance denials, and political dysfunction put lives at risk. Instead of accepting the broken healthcare system, Tina got to work to fix it from both the public and private sectors. She served under three presidential administrations, developing innovative strategies to expand access to healthcare to veterans and leading the first federal plan to combat the burnout that drove doctors and nurses out of the field. In New Jersey, she successfully fought for legislation that stopped insurance companies from denying care. As Chief Medical Officer of an AI healthcare company, she also led efforts to cut red tape for doctors and nurses, freeing them to focus on patients and outcomes instead of paperwork.  

Brian Varela is a first-generation American, entrepreneur, father, and community leader fighting to ensure that every family has a fair shot at the American Dream. Brian first built a successful marketing agency, which later led him into the childcare industry—helping NJ Families access early education. He has led grassroots efforts across New Jersey, organizing communities, founding the Morris Dems Hispanic Caucus, and advocating for democracy reforms like Ranked Choice Voting to give power back to the people.