Son of Senator Menendez, Facing Scandal, Secures Victory in New Jersey Democratic House Primary

Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., successfully navigated through the challenges posed by his father, Sen. Robert Menendez’s criminal charges and emerged victorious in the Democrat primary against Hoboken, New Jersey, Mayor Ravi Bhalla on Tuesday night.

DecisionDesk HQ announced the younger Menendez as the winner. With 83% of precincts reporting, Menendez secured 53.8% of the vote compared to Bhalla’s 35.6% and Kyle Jasey’s 10.6%. Menendez will now face Republican Anthony Valdes, who ran uncontested, in the upcoming November election.

This election served as a critical moment to determine the Menendez family’s political future in the state in light of the senator’s previous indictment and trial on corruption charges.

The younger Menendez is seeking reelection to a second term in Congress amidst his father’s legal issues. Bhalla made a strong effort to link Menendez to his father’s scandal and had raised and spent more money than the incumbent by mid-May.