Congressman Rob Menendez Wins Democratic Primary

In one of the more nasty political races in Hudson County memory, incumbent, freshman Congressman Rob Menendez has won the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District.  Menendez defeated Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla on Tuesday night.

Despite being outspent by a quarter million dollars, Menendez held a lead with nearly 83% of the districts reporting, 16,750 to 11,846.  The third candidate in the race, Kyle Jasey, had just shy of 3,000 votes.

Rep. Menendez had the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization in this race.  The campaign took nothing for granted, hitting the streets right up until today’s closing of the polls with a get out the vote movement.

On Sunday, Governor Phil Murphy attended a Menendez rally in West New York.

Despite what many political pundits predicted, the corruption trial of Rep. Menendez’s father, Senator Bob Menendez, did not impact the younger Menendez’s campaign, as he was able to rally the Hispanic vote and win the nomination rather easily.

Republican Anthony Valdes won the 8th District nomination for the House seat.

Mayor Bhalla has conceded the election, calling the Congressman earlier this evening to congratulate him.

Senator Menendez, whose trial continues, has filed to run as an independent candidate for United States Senate in the November general election.  Democrat Andy Kim, a south Jersey Congressman, easily won the Democratic primary for the Senate seat.  Businessman Curtis Bashaw won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.