Polling Average
30%20%10%0%
11.8%
27%
16.3%
10.3%
5%
NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
$23.4K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEntrepreneur
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationNew Jersey
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BackgroundEntrepreneur
Notable personal detailsBrian Varela is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. He is a first-generation American raised by Colombian immigrants and has described himself as an entrepreneur and small business owner. He previously ran for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District (2022) and later helped launch and lead the Forward Party’s New Jersey effort before running again as a Democrat in NJ-07.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govnj.govvarelaforcongress.comhudsoncountyview.comreddit.comen.wikipedia.orgwhyy.orgonenj7.orgnjdacc.comnewjerseyglobe.comrobinhood.combluevoterguide.orgballotready.orgbattlegroundvote.comopencampaign.cominsidernj.comnjtoday.newsco.burlington.nj.usdemocraticunderground.comarchive.phnrcc.orgscamadviser.comstephenvarelaforcolorado.compatriciacamposmedina.commeetup.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgwikidata.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Supports making healthcare more affordable and accessible by lowering prescription drug prices, expanding access to rural healthcare, protecting reproductive rights, and supporting mental health and addiction treatment services. Emphasizes reducing out-of-pocket costs and increasing access rather than pursuing single-payer solutions.
Immigration & Border
Supports protecting immigrant communities from aggressive ICE operations, opposes expansion of ICE facilities in his district, and calls for rebuilding the immigration system to balance fairness, safety, and humanity. Has publicly criticized Department of Homeland Security leadership and advocated against policies he describes as terrorizing immigrant families.
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Public Safety & Guns
Supports law enforcement and first responders while promoting "common-sense gun safety laws" to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and strengthen public safety and community policing.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 1, 2026
Brian Varela is one of the Democrats competing for the nomination in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, where the primary is being framed as a key step toward challenging Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. The race is considered competitive, and recent coverage has focused on candidate positioning, fundraising, and electability ahead of the June 2 primary. Rebecca Bennett is described as the frontrunner, with Varela among the other candidates still in the contest.
fec.gov+32
Articles
NNJ.com4 days ago
These Democrats are fighting for a shot at beating Tom Kean Jr. in November
Neutral
NNJ.com18 days ago
Tom Kean Jr. has been missing from Congress for 2 months. Nobody will say why.
Neutral
TAThe Associated Press2 days ago
New Jersey voters seek answers about Tom Kean Jr.'s absence from Congress
Neutral
UNU.S. News & World Report2 days ago
'What's the Word?' New Jersey Voters Look for Answers About Tom Kean Jr.'s Absence From Congress
Neutral
Polls
NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.0M
$1.5M
$980.7K
$490.3K
$0
2022
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$632.7K
$1.4K
$631.3K
$35.1K
Cycle 2026
$2.0M
$358.5K
$1.6M
$94.3K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements