Progressive Congressman Andy Kim is the clear front-runner to retain the Democratic column seat of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who was indicted in November.
Kim, 41, who represents much of Philadelphia’s eastern suburbs in the Garden State’s 3rd Congressional District, is leading both potential Republican rivals. Fairleigh Dickinson University Monday Poll However, if the 70-year-old Menendez is added to the list as an independent candidate, his lead will narrow.
In a head-to-head matchup with Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glasner, Kim leads 49% to 39% among registered voters, with 13% saying they are unsure who they will support.
Facing developer Curtis Bashaw, Kim leads 47% to 38%, with 15% saying they don’t know how to vote.
If Menendez was included in the choice list, Kim’s lead over Glasser would shrink to 6 points, 45% to 39%, with 7% saying they would vote and 10% saying they were “not sure how they would vote.” .
In a hypothetical three-way race against Menendez and Bashaw, Kim’s lead would drop to 6 points, with Democrats leading 44% to 38%, Menendez winning 6%, and 12% wondering how they would vote. I answered that I don’t know.
The Republican candidate to face Kim will be decided in the New Jersey primary on June 4.
Menendez announced last month that he would not seek a fourth term in the Senate as a Democrat, but left open the possibility of running as an independent if he is “exonerated” of federal corruption charges later this year. .
“Despite all the legal issues, Mr. Menendez still has a base of support that will support him if he gets on the ballot.” Professor Dan Cassino (Government and Political Science), head of public opinion research, explained at FDU.
“He’s not going to win, but he might be able to make things uncomfortable for Democrats.”
Polls show that Mr. Menendez has the strongest support among ethnic minorities, with 14% of black voters, 12% of Asian voters and 10% of Hispanic voters favoring Menendez despite his legal issues. I responded that I support him.
In May, Menendez was accused of accepting cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and other gifts from a trio of New Jersey businessmen in exchange for political favors with his wife, Nadine. He is scheduled to go to trial starting on the 6th.
Mr. and Mrs. Menendez have pleaded not guilty to the 18 criminal charges against them.
Menendez has ignored calls from his Democratic colleagues to resign from the Senate, even though he is accused of acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar as part of an indictment handed down by a federal grand jury. I was able to attend a confidential press conference. Manhattan.
Mr. Kim announced his candidacy for Mr. Menendez’s seat shortly after the indictment against the sitting senator was first made public last September. He is the only major Democratic candidate in the race after New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, withdrew from the race on March 24.
The FDU poll surveyed 809 registered voters in New Jersey from April 1 to 8, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
