TOMS RIVER, NJ – Progressive U.S. Congressman Andy Kim wants to run against the embattled U.S. Senator Bob Menendez after the senator and his wife were indicted on bribery charges. Kim, who is currently serving in Congress representing New Jersey’s 4th District says he will challenge Menendez when he’s up for re-election.
Yesterday, he called for Menendez to resign.
“These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesn’t matter what your job title is or your politics — no one in America is above the law. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light. In the meantime, I don’t have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter. He should step down.”
Menendez says he won’t step down.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades,” Menendez said. “This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.”
KJim responded by saying he will challenge the senator in a primary in 2024.
“After calls to resign, Senator Menendez said ‘I am not going anywhere.’ As a result, I feel compelled to run against him. Not something I expected to do, but NJ deserves better. We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our integrity,” Kim tweeted in response.
Kim operated a radical ‘Rise Stronger’ underground group prior to becoming a U.S. Congressman. That group called for Americans to rise up against former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and the Republican establishment in America.