Rep. Andy Kim Announces Primary Challenge to Sen. Bob Menendez

Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03) said Saturday that he is running for the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez. He becomes the first notable challenger to the long-time Senator, who was indicted Friday for conspiracy to commit bribery and two other related charges.

Menendez has served in the Senate since early 2006, appointed to the role by the prior officeholder, Jon Corzine (D). Corzine had resigned after being elected governor in November, 2005. Menendez was elected to his first full term in November of that year. He has since been reelected twice more.

In addition to multiple terms in the Senate, Menendez now has the distinction of being indicted more than once. That prior indictment, in 2015, ended in a mistrial in 2017. 

Kim represents New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, located in the central part of the state. He won his third term in 2022 by a 56% to 44% margin over Republican Bob Healey. To this point, most forecasters have rated the seat 'Safe Democratic' for 2024.

Kim brings to 15 the number of current U.S. House members - 11 Democrats and four Republicans - who are retiring or running for another office next year. Including Kim, ten of those are seeking a promotion to the U.S. Senate.