November 05, 2024

Democrat Andy Kim defeats Republican Curtis Bashaw for U.S Senate seat in N.J. formerly held by Bob Menendez

The victory makes the congressman the first Korean American elected to Senate.

By Kristin Hunt
PhillyVoice Staff

Chris Lachall/USA TODAY NETWORK

New Jersey U.S. Senate candidate Andy Kim delivers his victory speech at the DoubleTree Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Andy Kim will be the next U.S. senator from New Jersey.

The Associated Press called the race for Kim, a Democratic congressman from the state's 3rd District, around 8 p.m. with 3% of the ballots counted. He was widely favored to win over his Republican challenger, first-time political candidate and Jersey Shore businessman Curtis Bashaw. A GOP nominee has not won a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey since 1972.

"We just won our Senate race!" Kim posted in a message to X, formerly known as Twitter. "As a son of immigrants, a public school kid, I never could’ve imagined I’d get to serve as a US Senator. I’m deeply humbled and grateful to NJ and for everyone who got us here. I promise I’ll serve with honor and integrity as a public servant for all."

The victory makes Kim the first Korean American elected to Senate. He leads Bashaw with 53.3% of the vote as of 11 p.m. Bashaw trails with 44.4%.

U.S. Senate in N.J.: Andy Kim vs. Curtis Bashaw

If the table below is not displaying correctly, you can view the election results here.

Both men were seeking the seat vacated by former Sen. Bob Menendez (D), who resigned in disgrace following his federal bribery conviction. Gov. Phil Murphy appointed his former chief of staff George Helmy to serve out the remainder of Menendez's term, but Helmy plans to resign so Murphy can appoint the new senator early.

Though the circumstances of the race lent it a messy, chaotic start, Kim's path to victory smoothed once his chief rival in the primaries, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, ended her campaign. The pair had kicked up considerable debate over a design feature in the state's elections, which awards a party's preferred candidates more prominent placement on the ballot. Murphy, given her family's deep political connections, was expected to benefit most from this so-called "county line" designation. Kim successfully sued to get the line, unique to New Jersey elections, removed from the primary election ballots.

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