Seton Hall University political science professor Matthew Hale says it is “frankly amazing” that U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) has the backing of both state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) for the June 2nd primary.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“In the best possible sense, Brian Stack is the definition of insider in New Jersey politics. He knows how to get things done for his constituents and knows how to get people to the polls. Andy Kim is the current darling of the progressive wing of the Democratic party that has long been on the outside looking in,” he said in an email today.
“He has been incredibly powerful at challenging the status quo in New Jersey politics. That is not something our senators usually do. To get endorsed by both the insider and the outsider is frankly amazing. It speaks volumes about Congressman Menendez and his ability to work across divisions in the party, Democrats need that badly.”
The Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) came out early for Menendez, as they did in 2022 and 2024, but solidifying the support of Kim, who was elected in the wake of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) – Rob’s father – getting convicted of corruption charges, was less expected.
Kim has recently taken an interest in Hudson County politics, endorsing Jersey City Mayor James Solomon last month and swearing him in during his January 15th inauguration at New Jersey City University (NJCU).
Despite less than ideal circumstances for a re-election bid, Congressman Menendez defeated then-Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla by about 15 points in the June 2024 primary, race where roughly $5 million was spent, all in.
The incumbent is expecting another progressive challenger this time around in the form of former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali, who came in fourth in last year’s seven-person mayoral race and is expected to announce any day now.
Hale, also a Highland Park councilman, intimated that Menendez is heavily favored, though postulated that Ali may be seeking to further increase his name ID for future elections.
“One thing about candidates on both the far left and far right is that they often think they can be like Mayor Mamdani or President Trump. But it is like capturing lightening in bottle. Interesting in theory, but difficult in practice. Ali came in fourth in the Jersey City primary which suggests he may not connect with voters the way Mamdani or Trump can,” he theorized.
“That being said, it is not unusual for ambitious candidates of all stripes to run for every office they can. Even losing raises name-ID which is generally a good thing. Perhaps that is what Ali it thinking?”
The filing deadline for the June 2nd congressional primary is March 23rd at 4 p.m. with independent Richard Barilla jumping in the CD-8 race all the way back in late February.