Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
10%
8%
5%
NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
$9.9K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEntrepreneur
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationNew Jersey
BackgroundEntrepreneur
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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.comcbsnews.comx.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgpolitico.comwikidata.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 updatedMay 19, 2026
Brian Varela is in the news because the New Jersey 7th District House race is drawing attention as Rep. Tom Kean Jr. remains absent from Congress due to an undisclosed medical issue. Kean has missed 80 House votes, and his office says he should return to a regular schedule soon, but no date has been given. The situation has raised questions about how effectively he can campaign in a race expected to be competitive.
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Polls
NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Brian Varela for NJ-07 Democratic nominee?
Sussex County Democratic convention
Public endorsement
Sussex County Democratic convention endorsed Brian Varela for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.9M
$1.4M
$930.8K
$465.4K
$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
$1.9M
$1.3M
$528.7K
$35.2K
Source: FEC