Menendez Jr. formally announces candidacy for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th District
Robert Menendez Jr., son of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, attends an occasion kicking off his father’s marketing campaign for reelection at Union Metropolis Excessive College, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, in Union Metropolis, N.J. | Julio Cortez/AP Picture
Greater than two weeks after Hudson County politicos lined up behind his candidacy for Congress, Robert Menendez Jr. has made it official.
The Democratic lawyer and recently-appointed board member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey formally introduced his candidacy on Thursday, making him the overwhelming favourite to interchange retiring Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) in New Jersey’s closely Democratic 8th District.
The 36-year-old Menendez Jr. is the son of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who held the Home seat earlier than Sires.
“It is a technology defining second. How we transfer ahead in a time of rebel, world pandemic, and financial uncertainty will outline the America we depart for our youngsters to inherit and can take all of us working collectively to succeed,” Menendez Jr. stated in an announcement. “With our future, and our youngsters’s future, at stake, we are able to now not sit on the sidelines. That’s the reason I’m working for Congress and asking you to affix with me in this battle.”
Context: Hudson County politicos started lining up behind Menendez Jr. as quickly as Sires introduced his retirement on Dec. 20, however till Thursday had not addressed his candidacy. Gov. Phil Murphy additionally endorsed the youthful Menendez earlier than he declared.
Some have taken situation with the candidacy being orchestrated by political bosses as a substitute of a public groundswell of help. Menendez Jr.’s solely authorities expertise is with the Port Authority, which he joined final 12 months. However his father is likely one of the strongest politicians in New Jersey, and particularly Hudson County, which dominates the 8th District.
What’s subsequent: Progressives in the district who’re crucial of the Hudson County Democratic machine have promised to subject a main challenger towards Menendez Jr., however the Democratic Celebration’s ingrained poll and financial benefits, together with Menendez Jr.’s identify recognition, make any problem an uphill battle.
