NJ-08: Menendez name was once a gift for NJ representative. Now, a primary challenger eyes the prize.

An unusually competitive Democratic primary race for Congress is taking place in Hudson County, New Jersey as incumbent Rep. Rob Menendez, who easily won his seat two years ago, tries to distinguish himself from his embattled father, Sen. Bob Menendez.

Two factors kicked open the doors to this primary race, which is taking place in a county where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans and where party leaders are used to picking candidates with little to no opposition: the salacious corruption charges against Bob Menendez and court-ordered changes that restrict the Hudson County political machine from giving Rob Menendez preferential treatment on the ballot.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla is challenging Rob Menendez, and several polls show both candidates are just a few points apart.

“This is probably the first time that I can remember, as a grown adult, where the race for Congress in the 8th District is an election, not a selection, and that's what democracy is about,” Bhalla said.




https://gothamist.com/news/menendez-name-was-once-a-gift-for-nj-representative-now-a-primary-challenger-eyes-the-prize