WESTFIELD, N.J. (Diya TV) — A frontline physician is entering the political arena, promising to reform healthcare and challenge the status quo in Washington.
Dr. Tina Shah, an intensive care doctor from Westfield, officially announced her campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District on Tuesday. She is running as a Democrat to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in what experts call one of the most competitive races of the 2026 election cycle.
“I’m running for Congress because America is in critical condition and enough is enough,” Shah said during her campaign launch.
Shah brings deep experience from the healthcare front lines. She’s triple board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care. Every day, she says, she sees a system that puts profits ahead of patients.
“When I go to work in the ICU, I face a system that makes patients sicker and broke,” she said. “Insurance companies win. People lose. And politicians like Tom Kean Jr. sit back and let it happen.”
Moreover, she accused Kean of casting a decisive vote to cut Medicaid. Shah added that the congressman also attacks abortion rights and supports figures like Donald Trump and RFK Jr., whom she blames for spreading health misinformation.
As a result, Shah believes lives are at stake. “If we keep going down this road, people will get hurt,” she warned. “That’s why what we do next truly matters.”
Shah’s campaign comes at a pivotal moment. In October 2024, the Cook Political Report rated the district as “Lean Republican.” However, more recent forecasts show the district is shifting.
For instance, the Center for Politics now labels the race a “toss-up.” Additionally, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Kean’s seat to its 2026 “Districts in Play” list. With national attention focused on the district, both parties are expected to invest heavily in the race.
To prepare, Shah has already built a seasoned campaign team. She hired Rachel Berlowe as campaign manager and brought on veteran strategist Mollie Binotto to guide campaign strategy.
Previously, in 2023, Shah considered running for office but ultimately chose to wait. Now, she says, the urgency is too great to stay silent.
Shah’s resume extends far beyond the hospital. Not only has she cared for critically ill patients, but she also shaped healthcare policy at the federal level. During the Obama administration, she served as a White House Fellow and special advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Later, under President Biden, she advised U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
In addition, Shah pushed for legislation in New Jersey to stop insurers from denying care. In the tech sector, she led a health-focused AI company as Chief Medical Officer. There, she helped doctors spend more time with patients by cutting down on red tape and unnecessary paperwork.
Therefore, Shah argues that her combined experience makes her uniquely prepared to represent the people of New Jersey in Congress. “I’ve spent my life fixing broken systems,” Shah said. “Now I want to do it in Congress.”
Shah was born and raised in New Jersey. She says her community shaped her values and gave her the strength to speak out. Her campaign, therefore, aims to connect with everyday people, especially those struggling with medical bills, insurance denials, and limited access to care.
“I took an oath not to harm,” she said. “That oath doesn’t end in the ICU. It extends to the decisions we make in government.”
