In the face of corruption charges against incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2024 Democratic Primary election for the Senate seat.
The announcement comes in the wake of Menendez and his wife’s indictment by a grand jury on federal bribery charges.
Kim, representing New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, expressed that challenging Menendez was not an anticipated move, but one he felt compelled to make in light of the allegations against the incumbent Senator. He remarked, “New Jersey deserves better,” indicating a motivator for his decision to contest the seat in next year’s primary.
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The newly announced candidacy has already shown early momentum, as Kim secured a significant endorsement from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) less than a week into his campaign.
The endorsement signals a boost in Kim’s bid to unseat Menendez, who has found himself embroiled in calls for resignation amid the corruption charges.
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The contest between Kim and Menendez is expected to be closely watched, as it unfolds against a backdrop of corruption allegations, creating a significant hurdle for Menendez’s re-election bid. With this development, the New Jersey Democratic primary is set to be a high-stakes affair with national implications.