Representative Andy Kim won the Democratic nomination for Senate in New Jersey, making him a favorite to become the state’s next senator and the first Korean American to be elected to the U.S. Senate. The campaign was marked by a watershed ballot-access ruling and a tumultuous race against accusations of bribery against Senator Robert Menendez, who did not compete for the nomination. Kim’s main opponent, Tammy Murphy, dropped out of the race in March, allowing Kim to secure victory on Tuesday. This victory comes as Menendez faces a federal trial in Manhattan and files to run for re-election as an independent.
The primary elections in New Jersey were heavily influenced by Senator Menendez’s legal troubles and the court ruling that changed the rules for listing Democratic candidates on the state’s primary ballots. Representative Rob Menendez, the senator’s son, faced a competitive race for re-election but managed to hold on against the mayor of Hoboken, Ravi Bhalla. In the Senate race, Kim’s margin of victory was significant, with him securing nearly 77 percent of the votes. Curtis Bashaw won the Republican primary and will face a tough race against Kim in November as Republicans aim to capitalize on Menendez’s independent candidacy potentially fracturing the Democratic vote.
Senator Menendez’s decision to run as an independent allowed him to continue collecting campaign contributions and pay for legal representation for himself and his wife, who is also charged in the bribery conspiracy. Kim’s decision to run for the Senate meant he would have to vacate his House seat, leading to State Assembly member Herb Conaway winning the Democratic primary to replace him. A significant change in electoral politics in New Jersey occurred after a legal challenge by Kim, which led to Democrats being required to present candidates running for each office together rather than grouping them all on a single line on the ballot based on party endorsements.
Representative Menendez’s election in 2022 was based on his father’s connections, but this year’s political landscape was different, with accusations against his father leading to a tough race for re-election. Representative Menendez’s connections to his father were emphasized by his opponents, but he managed to secure victory with the endorsements of the state’s leading Democrats. The race highlighted the changing dynamics of New Jersey politics and the influence of legal troubles on electoral campaigns. Kim’s victory and Menendez’s independent candidacy set the stage for a closely watched Senate race in November.
