New Jersey’s 8th District race carries notable implications
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BAYONNE, N.J. (PIX11) — There’s just one week to go until Democratic voters in New Jersey’s 8th congressional district go to the polls.
They’ll choose between three candidates, including the incumbent Congressman, Rob Menendez, and Ravi Bhalla, the mayor of Hoboken. Also running is real estate businessman Kyle Jasey.
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The district is composed of parts of Newark, Elizabeth, and many towns in Hudson County.
Many people in those places told us off-camera they’re not voting in the Tuesday, June 4th Primary, or weren’t even aware of it.
Despite some people’s lack of interest, the 8th congressional race is one that carries notable implications. For one, it’s the first Democratic Primary that will not feature the controversial ‘County Line’ ballot design — a ballot that had which offered preferential placement to the County-endorsed candidate.
“This is really going to be a question of whether or not the Democratic machine in the urban Counties of the State are going to be able to function effectively without that line,” said Rider University Political Professor Micah Rasmussen, who is also the Director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics.
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Another factor is the incumbent’s father, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, is currently on trial on federal bribery charges.
Rasmussen says Rob Menendez and Bhalla are holding even with each other.
“It’s been a nasty race, it’s been a personal race,” said Rasmussen. “You feel like Rob Menendez knows his political life is at stake. He came to this position through his father’s name and through his father’s connections. Those things that were an asset two years ago when he ran for the first time are now a liability.”
One democratic voter, Mario Irizarry from Bayonne, says the Bob Menendez trial will have an impact on his decision at the polls.
“I’m leery,” Irizarry said. “I’m just plain leery, you know?”
Meanwhile, Congressmen Menendez says his campaign for re-election is focused on his track record of serving the 8th Congressional District in Washington.
“We’re out there, and we’re out there to tell our story,” said Rob Menendez. “We’re not hiding from anything. At the end of the day, my father and I are two separate people.”
In a statement to PIX11 News, Bhalla’s campaign said, “This election, voters have a clear choice. And what is clear as day is that Rob Menendez Jr. has the same donors, same political team and support from the same political bosses as his father, Senator Bob Menendez. He has yet to demonstrate one inch of independence from the Menendez machine. I have a proven record of accomplishments as mayor of Hoboken, initiating and implementing nationally recognized programs to curb climate change, reduce flooding and advance pedestrian safety. I will always answer to the voters – not the party bosses.”
PIX11 News reached out to Jasey, but did not hear back in time for the airing of our story.
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