First Democratic Challenger To Rep. Rob Menendez Announces Candidacy

27-year old, lifelong Union City resident, Kevin Hernandez, has announced his intention to challenge Rep. Rob Menendez in next summer’s Democratic Primary Election in the 8th District.

Hernandez, a graduate of Union City High School and Rutgers-Newark, ran for Hudson County Freeholder, now called Commissioner, in 2020.  He is a military truck driver and reservist who will head to the Dallas, Texas Police Academy for training on November 19th.  Should he successfully win election to the United States House of Representatives in 2026, Hernandez says he will forgo his police career in Texas and return to New Jersey.

Hernandez is the first Democratic candidate to officially announce a challenge to incumbent Congressman Rob Menendez.

New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill slammed Sunday’s proposed deal to end the federal government shutdown, while New Jersey’s two, United States Senator, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, both voted against the plan to reopen the government.

The Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing legislation to fund the federal government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire January 1st. The proposal must also pass the House and get a signature from President Donald Trump.