Rep. Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City) has endorsed fellow Democrat Andy Kim, putting his party’s bid to retain control of the U.S. Senate above a fissure created last September when Kim announced that he would challenge the freshman congressman’s father in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary.
“In Congress, Andy and I have fought to lower costs, restore freedoms, and better the lives of those we represent,” Menendez said. “As we shape the future of New Jersey together, Andy is the right candidate for the moment, and I know he will be an incredible public servant for our state.”
The two are expected to campaign together on Friday during a visit to Newark’s North Ward.
“Rob and I are both driven by wanting to build a better future for our young kids, and we know how much is at stake in this election,” stated Kim. “New Jersey is ready for a new generation of leadership, and I look forward to continuing my work with Rob to deliver a brighter future for New Jersey’s families.”
Kim, a three-term congressman from South Jersey, announced his candidacy one day after the Justice Department unsealed a bribery and corruption indictment against Bob Menendez. Menendez was convicted on all sixteen counts in July after a two-month trial. There has been no hint of scandal related to Rob Menendez.
Bob Menendez eventually opted out of the Democratic primary, instead filing as an independent. He withdrew from that race last month, after resigning from the U.S. Senate.
Rob Menendez, who faced his own primary challenge, never took sides in the Senate primary, either while First Lady Tammy Murphy was still in the race, and later when Kim faced Latina activist Patricia Campos-Medina and former Newark school board member Lawrence Hamm. Menendez’s support can help Kim shore up support from North Jersey Hispanic voters.