Gold Bar’ Bob Menendez’s son narrowly wins tight primary challenge amid his embattled father’s bribery trial woes

At least one Menendez from New Jersey will probably go back to Congress next year after Congressman Rob Menendez defeated a primary challenger in the state’s eighth congressional district.

Rob’s father, Senator Bob Mendenez, is currently on trial for bribery and is accused of accepting gold bars, cash and other gifts in exchange for favors to foreign governments.

His father’s messy legal issues outweighed Rob’s primary, and he faced stiff opposition from Hoboken Mayor challenger Ravi Bhalla.

Rob Menendez won the primary with more than 53 percent of the vote, compared to more than 35 percent of Bhalla – a difference of less than 7,000 votes. Businessman Kyle Jasey received just 10 percent.

The 38-year-old Menendez has been in the House of Representatives since 2023.

Congressman Rob Menendez won his Democratic New Jersey primary with more than 50 percent of the vote, despite a primary challenge when bribery allegations from his father, Senator Menendez, cast a shadow over the race

On the campaign trail, Bhalla went after him as a political insider who had been handpicked for the seat by his father despite little previous experience, accusing the younger Menendez of putting loyalty to his father over New Jersey.

Additionally, earlier this week Bob Menendez switched his party affiliation to Independent to run for the Senate this fall.

But in the end, the member of New Jersey’s longtime political family was able to pull off a victory, despite the tough race and Bhalla nearly matching the incumbent lawmaker in fundraising.

“From the bottom of my heart, to the voters of the 8th District: thank you,” Menendez posted on X Tuesday night.

‘We always said we would do this together and we did that. Tonight was a great success, but work will continue tomorrow. And we will continue to fight for and deliver for all residents of our incredible district,” he continued.

Congressman Menendez celebrates fending off a challenger in the Democratic primary

Rep. Rob Menendez, 38, was first elected to the House in the 2022 midterm elections

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla challenged Congressman Rob Menendez in the Democratic primary, but failed to oust the incumbent president from a political dynasty

After the race was called Tuesday evening, Bhalla congratulated the congressman.

‘Although tonight was not the desired result, I am extremely proud of the campaign we have run. Democracy won and the people of our district had – for the first time in years – a real choice at the ballot box,” Bhalla wrote in a post.

“It is never easy to adopt the status quo, the party bosses, the provincial border and politics as usual, but great changes will not happen if we remain on the sidelines and give in to cynicism or lose hope,” he continued.

Bhalla said he believes his campaign is part of a larger movement for a “more democratic New Jersey” and said he looks forward to working with Congressman Menendez to make a difference for the residents of the district.

Menendez now advances to the general election, where he will face Republican Anthony Valdes in the Democratic-heavy district.

As for his father, longtime Senator Menendez is in the middle of his federal bribery trial.

Senator Bob Menendez arrives at a federal court in New York on May 30

The senator, 70, and his wife are accused of accepting gold, convertible bonds and other gifts in exchange for favors in a scheme involving American businessmen and the governments of Egypt And Qatar.

Senator Menendez announced in March that he would not run for re-election as a Democrat in 2024.

Democratic Congressman Andy Kim of New Jersey won the Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday evening.

But on Tuesday, Menendez switched his party affiliation to run for Senate as an independent candidate a day before the deadline.

A three-way race could make things much more competitive and expensive in the deep blue state this November.

In the Republican Senate primaries, Curtis Bashaw defeated Trump-backed candidate Christine Serrano Glassner to get on the ballot in November.