Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said he had not planned to run for Senate before Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted on bribery charges in September.
Kim told MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell in a Tuesday interview that the state is at a “breaking point” with Menendez in the aftermath of the indictment, which caused him to join the race.
“The idea of doing a statewide campaign was not top of mind, but it’s because of my kids that I feel it’s so important right now to step up and do what we can to restore integrity into our politics,” he said.
Kim cited a survey that found an overwhelming majority of New Jersey residents believe their politicians are corrupt, and polls consistently show people nationwide have declining trust in government.
“We cannot survive as a democracy if we’re just eroding this kind of trust and having this lack of faith in our elected leaders,” he said.
Kim announced his candidacy for Menendez’s seat just one day after the longtime senator was indicted following allegations that he and his wife accepted more than $600,000 in bribes from a few New Jersey businessmen in exchange for favors to them. The favors allegedly included Menendez putting pressure on state officials to end or slow investigations into the businessmen or their allies.
Many Democrats, including Kim and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, called on Menendez to step down from his office. Menendez has denied the allegations and vowed to stay in office, saying he’s “not going anywhere.”
Kim, a three-term congressman, formally launched his challenge to Menendez last week.
Kim’s interview with O’Donnell came one day before another notable primary challenger joined the race — New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. She said in her announcement that “Washington is filled with too many people more interested in getting rich … than getting things done for you,” an apparent jab at Menendez.
Murphy’s entrance into the race could set up a highly competitive primary for the safe blue seat. The first lady has been a regular presence at the governor’s events during his tenure and has taken an active role on issues like maternal health and climate change.
Kim, 41, told O’Donnell he would be one of the youngest senators in the country when a “hunger” exists for “new generational leadership” who has a national security background and is “earnest” about wanting to serve. He noted that he won in a congressional district that former President Trump won twice.
“I can build coalitions. I can build bridges, and I do feel like I can be someone that can unite the party and put forward a new face and be able to have that fresh start in New Jersey,” he said.