News Summary
Rep. Sharice Davids has endorsed Dr. Tina Shah for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. This endorsement could significantly enhance Shah’s campaign against Republican incumbent Thomas Kean Jr. As the first endorsement by a sitting Congress member in this race, it highlights Shah’s focus on healthcare reform. With strong initial fundraising and support from the Indian-American community, Shah aims to navigate a competitive field of Democratic candidates in a district with a Republican majority.
Catch the Breaking News from Johnson City: Rep. Sharice Davids Endorses Dr. Tina Shah for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District Race
Johnson City, July 17, 2025 — In a significant development in the upcoming congressional race, Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas’s 3rd district announced her endorsement of Dr. Tina Shah for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. This endorsement marks a notable boost for Shah as she seeks to challenge Republican incumbent Thomas Kean Jr. in the November 3, 2026, general election.
Majority Support in the Democratic Primary
Dr. Shah’s campaign has garnered attention, in part, because this endorsement is the first from a sitting member of Congress in the race to flip the 7th District, according to her campaign press release. With at least eight Democrats officially running for the seat, including Shah, the contest is expected to be highly competitive. Names such as Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Brian Varela, and Greg Vartan also appear among Democratic candidates vying for the nomination.
The upcoming primary dates for both parties have yet to be announced, but the race is already drawing considerable interest from voters and political observers alike.
Reasons Behind the Endorsement
Congresswoman Davids praised Dr. Shah for her deep commitment to healthcare reform and her ability to handle complex challenges. Davids, who previously served as a White House Fellow alongside Shah during the Obama administration, highlighted Shah’s extensive background and leadership experience.
Dr. Shah, a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine, brings a wealth of medical expertise. Her service includes roles as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and as the National Director of Clinician Wellbeing within the Veterans Affairs department. She has also contributed to healthcare policy during multiple presidential administrations, including those of President Obama and President Biden.
Campaign Platform and Challenges
Launching her campaign on July 1, 2025, Dr. Shah expressed a sense of urgency about the state of healthcare in America, stating that the country is “in critical condition” regarding healthcare access and costs. She emphasizes her background in the medical field as central to her platform, which aims at reducing healthcare costs and expanding access.
Shah’s campaign has shown initial momentum, raising approximately $260,000 on her first day of official launch. However, she faces the challenge of a district with about 20,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats, making her race particularly difficult under current demographic trends.
Context and Political Environment
The 7th District of New Jersey is viewed as one of the most competitive congressional districts in the nation, with a history of close elections. The district was previously held by former Rep. Tom Malinowski, who was defeated by Kean Jr. in 2022. Notably, Malinowski has opted not to seek a rematch this cycle.
In the race for the Democratic nomination, Dr. Shah joins other notable contenders. Her background as an immigrant, health expert, and former federal official has resonated with many in the Indian-American community, where she maintains significant support.
Additional Background on Dr. Shah
Beyond her campaign efforts, Dr. Shah’s experience extends to services under multiple presidential administrations. She served as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and as the National Director of Clinician Wellbeing in the Veterans Affairs department. Her extensive professional background underscores her commitment to health equity and systemic reform.
The support from diverse media outlets targeting Indian-American audiences reflects her prominence within that community. Her focus remains on healthcare reform, aiming to shape policies that reduce costs, improve access, and address systemic inequities.
Conclusion
As the race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District heats up, the endorsement from Congresswoman Sharice Davids marks a significant step for Dr. Tina Shah’s campaign. With a strong medical background, national-level experience, and early financial momentum, Shah aims to make a substantial impact in what is poised to be a fiercely contested election. The primary elections, set to occur later this year, will determine her path toward challenging the incumbent in the 2026 general election.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- New Jersey Globe: Kansas Congresswoman Endorses Shah for NJ-7
- Wikipedia: Tina Shah
- India Times: Rep. Sharice Davids Endorses Dr. Tina Shah
- Google Search: Tina Shah Congress
- American Bazaar: Tina Shah Running for Congress from New Jersey’s 7th District
- Google Scholar: Tina Shah Healthcare
- Insider NJ: CD-7 Flashpoint Shah Sends a Message to Kean Jr.
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Jersey Congress
- DIYA TV: Dr. Tina Shah Launches Bid for Congress
- Google News: Tina Shah
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
