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5 months ago
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At least one Menendez of New Jersey is likely headed back to Congress next year after Congressman Rob Menendez beat out a primary challenger in the state's eighth congressional district.
The primary came as the congressman's father Senator Bob Mendenez is on trial for bribery charges. The senator is accused of accepting gold and other gifts in exchange for favors. On Tuesday, he switched his party affiliation to Independent to run for the Senate this fall.
Congressman Menendez was facing a challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
Menendez won the primary with more than 53 percent of the vote to Bhalla's more than 35 percent - a difference of less than 7,000 votes. Businessman Kyle Jasey received just 10 percent.
The 38-year-old Menendez has served in the House since 2023.
Congressman Rob Menendez won his Democratic New Jersey primary by more than 50 percent of the vote despite a primary challenge as his father Senator Menendez's bribery charges cast a shadow over the race
On the campaign trail, Bhalla went after him as a political insider handpicked by his father for the seat despite little prior experience and accused the younger Menendez of putting loyalty to his father over New Jersey.
But in the end, the member of the longtime New Jersey political family was able to eek out a victory despite the tough race and Bhalla nearly matching the incumbent lawmaker in fundraising.
'From the bottom of my heart, to the voters of the 8th District: thank you,' Menendez posted on X Tuesday night.
'We always said we would do this together and we did. Tonight was a great success, but the work continues on tomorrow. And we will continue to fight for and deliver for all the residents of our incredible district,' he continued.
Congressman Menendez celebrates fending off a challenger in the Democratic primary
38-year-old Rep. Rob Menendez was first elected to the House during the 2022 midterms
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla challenged Congressman Rob Menendez in the Democratic primary but came up short on ousting the incumbent from a political dynasty
After the race was called on Tuesday night - Bhalla congratulated the congressman.
'While tonight wasn’t the outcome we desired, I’m tremendously proud of the campaign we ran. Democracy won, and the people of our District - for the first time in years - had a true choice at the ballot box,' Bhalla wrote in a post.
'Taking on the status quo, party bosses, the county line and politics as usual is never easy, but great change does not happen when we stay on the sidelines and give in to cynicism or lose hope,' he went on.
Bhalla said he believes his campaign is part of a larger movement for a 'more democratic New Jersey' and said he looks forward to working with Congressman Menendez to prove the life of residents in the district.
Menendez now moves on to the general election where he will face off against Republican Anthony Valdes in the Democrat heavy district.
As for his father, longtime Senator Menendez is in the midst of his federal bribery trial.
Sen. Bob Menendez arrives at a federal court in New York on May 30
The senator, 70, and his wife are accused of accepting gold, a convertible and other gifts in exchange for favors in a scheme with American businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
Senator Menendez announced in March he would not run for reelection as a Democrat in 2024.
Democratic New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim won the state's Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday night.
But on Tuesday, Menendez switched his party affiliation to run for the Senate as an Independent, one day before the deadline.
A three-way race could make it much more competitive and expensive come November in the deep blue state.
In the Republican Senate primary, Curtis Bashaw beat out Trump-backed candidate Christine Serrano Glassner to be on the ballot in November.
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