Menendez beats Ali in NJ-8, boosting his political standing
Congressman has now won two competitive primaries since father’s indictment
Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City) has defeated progressive primary challenger Mussab Ali in the 8th congressional district, the New Jersey Globe projects, solidifying the congressman’s hold on his heavily Democratic Hudson County district.
Ali had attempted to argue that the 8th district needed a more left-wing representative, pointing to Menendez’s support from pro-Israel and pro-AI groups as well as making inevitable connections to his father, imprisoned ex-Senator Bob Menendez. But Ali never garnered the kind of money or attention for his bid that he was hoping for, allowing Menendez to sail to victory.
As of 12:46 a.m. and with nearly all votes counted, Menendez leads Ali, the former president of the Jersey City school board, 69% to 31%.
First elected in 2022, Menendez spent his earliest years in Congress overshadowed by his father, who cleared the way for his political career to begin. The elder Menendez r…