Incumbent Democrats and Republicans scored victories across the state
, Senior Correspondent | June 5, 2024 | NJ Decides 2024, Politics
The biggest takeaway from this primary election — at least, for Democrats — is that even without the infamous “party line” ballot, winners backed by powerful political machines can still effectively steamroll their opponents.
In the 8th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Rob Menendez beat Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, his main challenger, by 18 points. And incumbents from both sides of the aisle scored victories across the state. In the 8th District, powerful city mayors made a difference.
U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3rd) easily defeated his opponents in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate.
“It hasn’t been just a campaign, it’s been a movement,” Kim said. “This has been a very challenging and difficult race, a very dramatic one at that, and one that frankly has changed New Jersey politics forever.”
Kim’s successful grassroots campaign against establishment candidate Tammy Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy, mobilized progressives; and his legal challenge broke the party line ballot for Democrats. Kim will face moderate Cape May Republican Curtis Bashaw in the general election in November. Bashaw easily beat the Trump-endorsed MAGA candidate Christine Serrano Glassner.
Campaign organization still counts, said Republican analyst Chris Russell.
“I’m sure there are some who are going to say, ‘Oh, you know, the Trump endorsement doesn’t matter,’” Russell said. “I don’t agree with that. I think you have to run a campaign.” Referring to Serrano Glassner, he said, “And she did not, her campaign did not promote the endorsement — or her as a candidate — anywhere near enough.”
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who is on trial for alleged corruption, filed to run for reelection as an independent.
Senior Correspondent Brenda Flanagan joined NJ Spotlight News in 2013, and focuses on COVID-19, transportation, environmental and immigration issues. The Emmy-award-winning reporter has also worked as an investigative/political correspondent for news departments at WWOR,WNYW and NJN.
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Primary results show strength of NJ political machines – NJ Spotlight News
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