U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) is expected to retire after eight terms and Rob Menendez, Jr., a commissioner on the Port Authority board and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), is the leading name to succeed him.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I’ve been in Congress 16 years and politics over 30 years and I just think it’s time to step down. The traveling gets to me and I’m going to make a formal announcement in January,” the congressman told HCV this morning.
Sires who turns 71 next month, made calls last week indicating he would not be seeking re-election in June, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke under the condition and anonymity.
The New Jersey Globe first reported the story late last night.
Late this afternoon, Sires decided not to wait and put out a formal statement announcing his candidacy, calling being able to serve in the House “the honor of a lifetime.”
“As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I consider the recent passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the billions of dollars we are delivering to fix New Jersey’s infrastructure – including the Hudson River Tunnels – as the capstone to a career of service,” he said.
I’m also incredibly proud to have voted for the transformational Build Back Better Act – a historic investment in our nation’s future. From my service as Mayor of West New York, to my time in the New Jersey State Legislature – including as the first Hispanic Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly – to my service in Congress, I have always put our hard-working families first.”
The former West New York mayor and state assembly speaker expressed disinterest in being a part of the House with a Republican majority, an outcome that is widely expected after next year’s midterm elections in November.
Menendez, Jr. is a pick that may not be unanimously well received among the Hudson County Democratic Organization, though he may be the closest option available to a consensus pick despite the Menendezs icy relationship with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
Other potential options in the 8th Congressional District, which also includes portions of Essex and Union Counties, include Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and North Bergen Commissioner Julio Marenco.
The filing deadline is not until April 1st.
Regardless of which direction the HCDO goes in, the progressive wing of the party will certainly field a candidate as they did in 2020.
In that race, Hector Oseguera secured 18,557 votes, good for 27.3 percent after running a blistering, fast-paced campaign.
Sires was never in danger though, notching 47,814 votes or 70.3 percent.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with an additional statement from U.S. Rep. Albio Sires.
How about someone who doesn’t have an ethically challenged parent? Is that too much to ask? Really?
The Machine says no.
In a predominantly diverse congressional district, and diverse from a socio-economic perspective as well as a population breakdown, I would hope we get the representation we deserve. I cannot imagine the powers that be would have someone like Bhalla as that representative.
Hoboken is on the other side of the spectrum as compared to the rest of the Congressional district. Hoboken’s median income is over 2x the District’s number and even the demographic profile is completely different.
Jr grew up the son of a congressman and then senator. He hasn’t exactly be cleaning bathrooms himself.
If elected, he’d be one of 435 representatives as opposed to chief executive of a small city. That “power” would be pretty diluted. Compared with the son of an ethically challenged senator doing whatever dear old dad tells him to do and who to do it for and what to get for it?
I know who will get my vote.
It’s not even close.
Albio has always been there for his constituents , and I wish the best in retirement . Rob Menendez Jr is without a doubt the best qualified individual to replace Albio in Congress.
What happens when The Squad AOC/Rashida types find out Bobby Jr. (aka Little Bo) is a private equity lawyer representing evil greedy corporatists? This won’t be greeted well.
True the Bolsheviks are going to go absolutely nuts on the Wall St. Mensheviks. But this seat is a Menshevik seat and Bob wants to spend more time in the Dominican Republic with his little chicas. So he’s grooming his son to take power.
Sires retires, from job he didn’t do much at, I mean really what did he ever do? I remember whenThe Record newspaper showed how your reps.voted he fequently had O, not yes or no. Where was he? I was hoping to get gerrymandered out of his district,but it looks no better for the future as another person I won’t be voting for is installed by stupid unthinking demobots.