Democrat Andy Kim was elected the first Asian American to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, replacing disgraced party mate Bob Menendez. Kim, a two-term congressman, was declared the winner over Republican Curtis Bashaw by The Associated Press moments after polls closed last night at 8 p.m.
All seats were open in New Jersey’s 12 congressional districts. In the most competitive race, the 7th District, incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr. indicated that he had won a second term against Sue Altman, a Democrat and nonprofit executive director. NBC News called the race in Kean’s favor. The Associated Press at 11:15 p.m. said the race was too close to call with 88% of votes counted.
Though Republican Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency, defeating Democrat Kamala Harris, some states’ results were still outstanding as of 11 p.m.
KIM ADDRESSED SUPPORTERS
At the DoubleTree in Cherry Hill, Kim addressed about 500 supporters alongside his wife and two young sons. “We are at a moment of profound anxiety about what comes next for our country,” Kim said. “Regardless of what happens next, we face significant challenges.”
Kean, at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, said Congress faces many challenges, including inflation, affordability and energy independence. He got some of his loudest cheers of the night when he invoked the “need to support our police officers” and to secure the Southern border. “And we need to stand with our allies: Israel, Ukraine, and so many others,” Kean said. “That is essential for the future of this world.”
ALTMAN HINTS AT A REMATCH
Altman, his challenger, told a crowd of 250 supporters that she was awaiting a tally, but she referred to a potential rematch in two years.
“We have not despaired, we have not given up, and we have not backed down from this challenge,” Altman said at the Bridgewater Manor. “This fight will not end tonight. It is an honor to be in the trenches with you all. We will find a way back to beat Tom Kean Jr. next time.”
CONAWAY VOWS TO CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS
In the race for the House of Representatives’ 3rd District, Democrat Herb Conaway defeated his Republican challenger, Rajesh Mohan. The Associated Press called the race with 93% of districts reporting. In remarks to about 100 supporters at the Westin in Mount Laurel, Conaway vowed to codify abortion rights and pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
“We have seen all over this country that a lot of these Republican states are restricting access to the ballot, restricting the right to vote, disrespecting the sacrifices that so many people have made to secure the vote for people so they can have their say in our democracy,” he said.
MENENDEZ HEADED TO SENTENCING
In the Senate race, Kim began his campaign on Sept. 23, 2023, the day after Menendez; his wife, Nadine; and three others were indicted in a federal bribery case. A senator since 2006, Menendez was convicted in July and resigned in August. He will be sentenced in January.
As he campaigned, he also successfully sued to end New Jersey party boss’ longtime control of ballot design, which election activists and political scholars had said gave unfair advantage to insiders. He also fended off a Democratic primary challenge from Tammy Murphy, wife of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who dropped out after Kim prevailed in the ballot lawsuit.
THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS
“Politics isn’t some exclusive club for the well-off and well-connected,” Kim said in his victory speech. The son of South Korean immigrants, Kim is a former civilian national security adviser who has said that public service was a childhood ambition. He said he specifically chose the DoubleTree for his election night headquarters because it was the first place his parents stayed in New Jersey after they emigrated from Korea.
His challenger, Cape May hotelier Curtis Bashaw, said the race “has played by the rules of our American values, keeping it civil and focusing on the issues.”
“As I approached this, not understanding which way it was going to go, a Bible verse that I grew up with came to mind, that said, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,’” he said at the Olde Mill Inn. “And I think that our campaign has done that.”
This story was reported by NJ Statehouse News staff writers Gary Love, Jenna Rittman, Skye Frawley, Lila Swietanski and Umehani Rehmanji.
