Andy Kim wins New Jersey Senate Democratic primary

Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) won the Democratic primary Tuesday evening for New Jersey’s Senate seat, beating two opponents in a bid to replace embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).

The Associated Press called the race for Kim at 8:14 p.m., shortly after the polls closed in the Garden State. With only 8% of the ballots counted, Kim led with nearly 80% of the vote.

Menendez, currently on trial in New York for federal public corruption charges that include bribery and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar, did not file to run in the Democratic primary. Facing almost certain defeat against Kim, the third-term senator instead filed to run on Monday as an independent in the general election by collecting petition signatures to appear on the ballot.

“It displeases me to have to go this route, thanks to overzealous prosecutors, but I will do what must be done to continue to uphold my oath of office for my constituents,” Menendez posted on social media.

Kim glided to victory against progressive activist Lawrence Hamm, who unsuccessfully ran against Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in 2020, and labor leader Patricia Campos Medina. The contest marked the first step toward Senate Democrats, most of whom have called on Menendez to resign, ditching him from their ranks.

Kim faced little resistance thanks to Tammy Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), dropping out early in the race in what was expected to be a hotly contested battle.

Menendez’s longshot independent bid has prompted concerns from some Senate Democrats, who worry the incumbent could siphon support from Kim and put the deep blue seat in play for Republicans.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the lone leadership member to not call for Menendez’s resignation but who has said the New Jersey Democrat’s conduct is unbecoming of the chamber, dodged a question Tuesday about whether he would support Menendez’s independent run.

“The primary is today. I’m not even going to comment,” Schumer said.