Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D) endorsed Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in the Democratic primary for New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D) seat Thursday.
Fetterman told The New York Times in an interview that he is “enthusiastic” about Kim’s background in politics. He said he decided to get involved in a primary against a sitting senator because “anything would be an upgrade over Menendez.”
“One of the most important things is that we have a reliable Democratic vote,” Fetterman said. “We have to run this table in ’24 in order to maintain the majority. But we need to count on every Democratic vote. Andy Kim is the kind of guy we can count on.”
He later tweeted his endorsement, reiterating that Kim can be trusted to be a “reliable Democratic vote in the Senate” and saying New Jersey has an opportunity to “elect a truly decent person” to the seat.
Fetterman was the first Democratic senator to call for Menendez’s resignation in the fall after the senior New Jersey senator was indicted on charges of bribery over allegations that he and his wife accepted $600,000 in bribes from three businessmen in exchange for favors.
Fetterman called for Menendez’s expulsion from the Senate after a subsequent charge accused the New Jersey senator of acting as an agent on behalf of the Egyptian government.
Menendez has denied the charges and refused to step down. He has also indicated that he intends to run for reelection.
After Menendez was indicted, a couple of additional candidates jumped in the race against him for the Democratic nomination. Kim was the first major candidate to join the race in November.
New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy has also launched a Senate bid and racked up establishment support in the state.
Fetterman said Murphy being a former registered Republican made him uncertain about her candidacy and the type of senator she would be.
“I wouldn’t want to risk having someone that might waffle when we have to deliver a solid Democratic vote in a very, very divided Senate like we have,” he said.
Fetterman tweeted that Kim can still win through grassroots support even if he does not have the establishment backing that Murphy does.
“Andy doesn’t have the support of NJ’s political bosses. So what? Let’s show them what grassroots support looks like,” he said.
Kim told the Times in an interview that he appreciated Fetterman’s endorsement.
“To have someone who is a sitting senator, who knows the job, knows the role of a legislator at this moment, and also just understands the crazy, chaotic moment that we live in right now, that’s something that stands out,” he said.
The Times reported that Kim was also expected to announce endorsements from six Pennsylvania Democratic House members Thursday.
— Updated at 12:41 p.m.