State Senator-elects Angela McKnight (D-31) and Raj Mukherji (D-32) are endorsing U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) for re-election ahead of a contested primary on June 4th, 2024.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The constituents that Rob and I share in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Kearny have all benefited from his unwavering efforts on their behalf in Washington and in our communities,” McKnight said in a statement.
“No matter the issue, Rob has always answered the call and worked for the betterment of our residents. Through his partnership and dedication, Rob has earned my support in 2024.”
Menendez announced his would be seeking a second term in late September, hours after Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla indicated he was “seriously considering” running for the House seat in the 8th District. He made his candidacy official last week.
“A lawmaker’s top priority should be constituent services. Since his swearing-in, Rob has been a relentless advocate for our shared constituents in Jersey City and Hoboken,” added Mukherji.
“I have been especially impressed with his quick and effective response to federal cases I’ve referred to his office. I am energized by his track record of following up consistently and by his attention to vital quality of life issues impacting our community, traffic safety, flood resiliency and sustainability, infrastructure, safeguarding reproductive rights, building upon the ACA to enact a national public option for healthcare, and housing.”
Mukherji is the first elected official who represents Hoboken to back Menendez, who now has the public support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, all three state senators, including Brian Stack (D-33), 10 of 12 local mayors, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Besides Bhalla, the only prominent local official not to back Menendez is Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, whose feud with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) goes back two decades when he challenged him for his congressional seat.
In a lengthy social media post and email blast, Fulop said that in light of Senator Menendez’s federal corruption charges, which includes acting as a foreign agent to Egypt, the Democratic party should move on from Rob Menendez.
“It’s not a secret that Rob got to Congress only because of his dad’s influence, so it’s fair to move on from Rob now because of that same influence,” he wrote before a short but intense social media spat between him and Rob Menendez began.
Fulop told HCV today that he thought Bhalla’s announcement was “impressive,” but continued that was going to hold off on seriously considering backing a candidate until closer to the filing deadline in April.
For the time being, Kyle Jasey, the son of outgoing Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-27), is the only other declared challenger to Rob Menendez.