Former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali is challenging U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) in the June 2nd primary, rolling out support from former New York Congressman Jamal Bowman on Day 1.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is America. There are no kings, no crowns, no heirs. Public office should be earned through service, not inherited through connections. I’m running because NJ-08 deserves leadership rooted in courage, not silence,” Ali said in a statement.
He wasted no time in firing a shot off at his opponent, who was elected in a blowout in 2022 after the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) coalesced around him immediately after U.S. Rep. Albio Sires decided to retire.
This was often attributed to the fact that Rob Menendez’s father, then-U.S. Senator Rob Menendez (D-NJ), who is now serving an 11-year prison sentence after getting convicted of corruption charges, still wielded political influence at the time.
“America is wealthy enough to care for everyone. The only thing missing is the political courage to do it. This campaign is about choosing courage,” Ali continued.
“For too long, Washington has asked working people to settle for less while billionaires and defense contractors get everything. I’m running to flip that script. This campaign is about choosing people over profit, democracy over dynasties, and communities over corporations.”
Menendez is favored as he has the backing of several colleagues, such as U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver (D-10) and Bonnie Watson Coleman, the HCDO, and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), who succeeded his father in the Senate.
Nonetheless, Bowman, who served in the House between 2021 and 2025, is backing the challenger.
“I am honored to stand with Mussab Ali on day one. New Jersey cannot wait for change. Tweaks are not enough. At a moment when working families are under attack and healthcare protections are being rolled back, the people of NJ-08 need leadership that will fight for them,” Bowman declared.
“Mussab has been clear about what he stands for: abolishing ICE, fully funding healthcare, and making the wealthy pay their fair share. His record shows he means what he says. We need real fighters and champions in Congress, and that’s exactly what NJ-08 will get with Mussab Ali.”
Ali came in fourth place in last year’s Jersey City mayoral contest and showed an ability to get younger voters to the polls before backing eventual winner James Solomon over former Gov. Jim McGreevey.
He lived in CD-10 until about two months ago, which would explain why more than half, about 53.9 percent, of his votes last year came from that portion of Jersey City, tallies from the Hudson County Clerk’s Office show.
“Our campaign will be powered by people knocking doors, making calls, and demanding better. If we win, it won’t be my victory alone. It will belong to everyone who chose courage,” Ali noted.
His campaign kickoff will take place at Sip Studios, located at 140 Sip Ave., at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 29th.
The filing deadline for the congressional primary is March 23rd at 4 p.m., with independent candidate Richard Barilla jumping into the race nearly a year ago.
“I have been on the frontline of the battle for the soul of our nation and have put it all on the line to defend our freedoms and the promise of America. In this critical moment, we need someone who will never back down from a fight,” Menendez said.
“From Delaney Hall to Minneapolis to the halls of Congress, I have been in this fight for all of us, never wavering from our shared beliefs. That’s why I am running for reelection to keep fighting for you, for our communities, for everyone who calls this district home.”
Poor lil Rob, his Dad can’t his free calls from prison to pressure Mayor’s ?