By Keerthi Ramesh
Democratic congressional candidate Dr. Tina Shah has surpassed $1 million in fundraising in less than a year, a milestone her campaign says signals growing momentum in one of the nation’s most closely watched House races.
Shah, a practicing intensive care physician, raised $1.017 million over two quarters and enters 2026 with nearly $650,000 in cash on hand, according to figures released by her campaign Monday. The fundraising pace makes her the fastest Democrat in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District to reach the seven-figure mark, her campaign said.
The district, which stretches across parts of Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, is currently represented by Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Political analysts have consistently labelled the seat as highly competitive heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
READ: Tina Shah raises more than $600k for her Congressional run (
Shah’s campaign has leaned heavily on her medical background, framing her candidacy around healthcare affordability, reproductive rights and the rising cost of living. Supporters argue her experience treating critically ill patients gives her firsthand insight into how insurance denials and healthcare costs affect families.
“We’re seeing frustration from voters who feel the system isn’t working for them,” Shah said in a statement.
“People want leaders who understand how policy decisions affect real lives, especially when it comes to healthcare.”
Race analysts appear to agree the contest is far from settled. Both the Cook Political Report and the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics have classified NJ-07 as a “toss-up,” while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed Kean on its list of vulnerable Republican incumbents.
READ: Raja Krishnamoorthi rolls out new ads in Illinois Senate Campaign (
Shah’s professional resume is a central part of her appeal. A triple board-certified physician, she has worked in intensive care units and held leadership roles in both government and the private sector. Her campaign highlights her work under multiple presidential administrations, where she helped develop healthcare access initiatives for veterans and led efforts to address physician burnout.
In New Jersey, Shah has pointed to her involvement in legislation aimed at preventing insurance companies from denying necessary care. More recently, she served as a chief medical officer at a healthcare technology company focused on reducing administrative burdens for doctors and nurses.
Kean, meanwhile, has emphasized fiscal responsibility and economic growth during his tenure. His campaign has not yet commented on Shah’s fundraising announcement.
With nearly a year remaining before voters’ head to the polls, political observers say fundraising strength could play a decisive role in shaping the race, particularly as both parties view NJ-07 as critical to determining control of the U.S. House.