New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim is slamming Senator Bob Menendez for filing to run as an Independent in the November general election.
“Americans are fed up with politicians putting their own personal benefit ahead of what’s right for the country. Everyone knows Bob Menendez isn’t running for the people of New Jersey, he’s doing it for himself,” Kim posted on X. “It’s beyond time for change, and I’m stepping up to restore integrity back into the U.S. Senate,” he added.
Kim is running to replace Menendez in the Senate, and Menendez appearing on the ballot may make the race more competitive, as Menendez may pull some votes away from Kim.
The New Jersey Globe first reported that Menendez plans to file as an Independent today.
According to a recent Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, Menendez, who is currently on trial for federal corruption charges, draw the support of six percent of voters, mostly, but not exclusively, from voters who said they would otherwise go to the Kim.
Menendez’s support was largely from Black and Hispanic voters, and included many voters who say that they don’t know who they would vote for if Menendez is not included, as well as Republicans who say that they would vote for Kim if Menendez were not on the ballot.
The net effect of Menendez being included on the ballot is a decrease in Kim’s margin over either of the Republican candidates, from nine points (48 to 39) with 14 percent undecided to five points (44 to 39) with 11 percent undecided.
A total of three Democrats and four Republicans are vying for their parties’ nominations for the Senate seat.
New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 1972.
I will be voting for Menendez. He is 1000 times better than Kim, and has been very good for Israel. I encourage everyone else to do so as well.
Would rather vote for the Republican.
The republican will not win. No Republican has won a Senate seat from New Jersey in 50 years. I’d rather keep Kim out.
Menendez isn’t beating Kim, the only way to keep Kim out is to vote for the Republican, hopefully Menendez will siphon off enough votes from Kim for the Republican to win. This year with the 3 way race the Republican has the best chance in 50 years to win the seat. If the Republican wins the 40+% the Republican usually gets all they need is for Menendez to get 20% or so and the Republican wins. The more above 40% the Republican gets the less we need for Menendez to siphon off. So vote for the Republican, our only chance of keeping Kim out.
Hate to break it to you, but Menendez is going to get more votes than the republican.
This has nothing to with integrity, all Kim cares about is himself, Kim is afraid of how many votes Menendez will siphon from him and by November it may be possible for the Republican to close the smaller gap and keep him home. He is an opportunist who is being pro Israel for the votes, he still spews hamas propaganda and call for a ceasefire allowing hamas to survive and to reward them with a state. Vote Republican and not for the party that supports mengele style mutilation of confused children.
Run Menendez, split the vote to give the GOP a victory.
I am a big fan of Menendez running as an independent.
He has been providing wonderful service to his constituents in the Egyptian government and should be recognized for that.
If he happens to split the Democrat vote and cause a Republican to be elected I guess that would be a shame. He deserves this. His public service should be recognized with the opportunity to run one more time.
@Ploni Almoni, that isn’t happening the democrats have 60% to play with, split between Kim and Menendez, the more evenly split the better for the Republican.