May 28, 2026
A new poll from Z to A Research on behalf of 314 Action Fund found that Dr. Tina Shah leads Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. by 2 points in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District—and that lead grows to 6 points after voters learn more about both candidates.
The poll finds Kean deeply vulnerable heading into the 2026 cycle. His favorability is upside down—50% of likely voters view him unfavorably, compared to just 32% favorably. Donald Trump’s numbers are even worse in the district, with 56% viewing him unfavorably. Meanwhile, Dr. Shah’s favorable-to-unfavorable ratio is a notable 21%–17%—with 41% of voters not yet having formed an opinion of her, representing significant room to grow.
Her candidacy is a winner among voters who learn more about her background. After voters read a brief description of Dr. Shah’s record—her work as an ICU physician at Rahway Hospital, her role advising three U.S. presidents from both parties on veterans’ healthcare, and her successful effort to ban insurers from using “pre-authorization” to delay care—her support increases and Kean’s lead evaporates further.
To view the polling memo, click here
“Tom Kean Jr. is in serious trouble and this poll makes clear why he’s hiding from voters,” said Erik Polyak, Executive Director of 314 Action. “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. Dr. Tina Shah is an ICU physician who has spent her career fighting for patients and taking on the corrupt health insurance industry—and voters in NJ-7 trust a doctor to fight for their healthcare far more than a politician. Dr. Shah is the perfect candidate to win this race and flip this seat blue.”
Dr. 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, Dr. Shah got to work to fix our broken healthcare system from both the public and private sectors. In New Jersey, she successfully fought for legislation that stopped insurance companies from denying care. She also led efforts to cut red tape for doctors and nurses, freeing them to focus on patients and outcomes instead of paperwork.
314 Action Fund, the nation’s only organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and electing doctors and scientists to public office, endorsed Dr. Tina Shah for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District in May 2026.