WESTFIELD, N.J. — The People’s Patio was packed on Saturday, Sept. 5, as a large crowd gathered over Labor Day weekend to welcome former Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff and U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who came to Westfield to help launch a canvass for Democratic congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett.

A large crowd came out to the People's Patio in Westfield for to Rahm Emanuel, who served as President Obama's chief of staff, as he kicked off a campaign launch for Democratic Congressional Candidate Rebecca Bennett, who is running in NJ7. 

Bennett is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who lives in Westfield, in the race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. The race is among the most closely watched congressional contests in the country.

Hosted by the Westfield Democratic Committee, the event brought together volunteers, local elected officials and Democratic activists from Westfield and throughout New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Among those in attendance were state Assemblyman Vince Kearny, Union County Commissioner Kim Palmeri-Mouded and Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman.

The event followed a successful fundraiser for Bennett held Thursday in Westfield, where the campaign raised more than $40,000.

Bennett, a former Navy pilot and test pilot, health care leader and mother, spoke to the crowd about why she is running for Congress and outlined three priorities she said would guide her campaign: addressing the cost of living, taking on corruption in Washington and fighting for the country she loves.

She also highlighted transportation infrastructure, including the Gateway project and the need to finally deliver a one-seat ride from Westfield to New York City. Bennett said making the investment needed to improve the region’s transportation infrastructure would be a priority for her in Congress. She also spoke about her military service and the responsibility she feels to stand up for the country and its Constitution.

“This is a scary, uncertain time in this country,” Bennett told the crowd. “But we have something here in this district that we can do about it.”

Emanuel, who served as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019, White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama and U.S. ambassador to Japan, focused his remarks on the importance of grassroots organizing and the value of talking directly with voters.

“You can do all the TV, all the digital, all this other stuff,” Emanuel told the crowd. “Nothing beats you going eye to eye with your neighbor, talking to them.”

He urged volunteers to keep knocking on doors and making calls, even when they thought they had done enough.

“When you think you’ve knocked on your last door, breaking news: you’ve got 10 more to go,” Emanuel said.

He also spoke about Bennett’s military service and her background, saying that service to the country is about more than what someone acquires or earns.

“It’s not how much you get, it’s not how much you make,” Emanuel said. “It’s how much you give.”

After the speeches, volunteers headed out into the community to knock on doors and talk with voters.

For Westfield Democratic Committee Chair Bruno Tedeschi, the People’s Patio has become a familiar starting point for successful local campaigns.

“We’ve had a lot of successful canvass launches on the People’s Patio,” Tedeschi said. “Over the last two years, we’ve launched Gov. Mikie Sherrill here for both the primary and general election, as well as our state Assembly members, our mayor and our council candidates — and every one of them went on to win. We’re proud of that history, and we were excited to continue it with Rebecca Bennett.”

The turnout was especially notable given that the event fell on Labor Day weekend, when many people were spending their Saturday elsewhere.

“I honestly can’t remember seeing this kind of enthusiasm from our volunteers,” Tedeschi said. “They are revved up, they are ready to go, and they understand what is at stake. We know that strong turnout in Westfield and throughout the eastern part of the district is going to be critical, particularly given the different political dynamics in communities farther west. Our job is to make sure the people who support Rebecca show up and make their voices heard.”

Canvass Launches will be held from the People's Patio nearly every weekend between now and the election on Nov. 3. Please check the Mobilize app for details.