Today, New Jersey voters will cast their ballots in crucial primary elections to determine the candidates vying for the Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who is facing federal corruption charges and has opted not to run in the Democratic primary. In a surprise move, Menendez filed to run as an independent candidate on Monday, just a day before the primary.
The Senate race has already seen significant developments, with first lady Tammy Murphy suspending her campaign and front-runner Rep. Andy Kim consolidating Democratic support statewide. Kim faces challenges from labor leader Patricia Campos-Medina and activist Lawrence Hamm in the primary.
On the Republican side, four candidates are vying for the nomination, including hotelier Curtis Bashaw, Navy veteran Albert Harshaw, former Tabernacle Deputy Mayor Justin Murphy, and Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
In addition to the Senate race, the primary will also determine the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Andy Kim’s decision to run for Senate has opened up the 3rd Congressional District seat, which has attracted five Democratic candidates. The 8th District is also seeing a competitive race, with first-term Rep. Rob Menendez facing a challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who recently became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes, are also on the ballot, although they have already secured their parties’ nominations. To be seen is how many voters will cast a ballot for “Uncommitted,” an option on many Democratic primary ballots this year amid a national pro-Palestinian attempt to rebuke Joe Biden’s general support for Israel.