Continuing to demonstrate fundraising prowess, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) has raised a mammoth $2.75 million since announcing his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in New Jersey after raising $1.75 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Kim, a three-term congressman and former Obama White House, has an impressive $2.6 million cash-on-hand as he seeks the seat of indicted three-term incumbent Bob Menendez.
“We are in a really strong place coming into the on-year,” Kim told the New Jersey Globe. “I’m feeling great about the momentum.”
He raised nearly $4 million in 2023, all without any corporate PAC money.
Kim entered the Senate race on September 23, one day after the Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging Menendez with bribery and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors have subsequently charged the state’s senior senator with illegally acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government and aiding Qatar in exchange for bribes.
“People in New Jersey deserve a Senator with experience that will serve them with integrity, responsibility, and humility – that’s what this campaign is all about. People are powering this campaign, and their courage to stand up against corruption and broken politics is inspiring,” said Kim. “I’m truly honored by the support from families across the state and am ready to bring New Jersey a new generation of leadership.”
He raised $1 million in the first week of his candidacy, the final week of the third quarter. He has already spent nearly $1 million on his Senate race.
Kim said his campaign is getting an “incredible response” from grassroots Democrats and cited his own internal poll that puts him 23 points ahead of his main rival, First Lady Tammy Murphy.
Murphy entered the race on November 15, with about six weeks left in the fourth quarter. She has not yet reported her fundraising numbers.
While Menendez has not said if he will run, Kim’s poll shows the senator far behind with just 5% of the vote among Democrats.
Two other Democrats are also in the Senate race: former Newark school board member Lawrence Hamm and activist Patricia Campos-Medina.
Kim has proven himself an adept political fundraiser since narrowly outing two-term Rep. Thomas MacArthur (R-Toms River) in 2018. He twice won a congressional district that Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 before redistricting allowed him to secure a double-digit win in 2022. All three of his Republican opponents have been millionaire self-funders.