Bhalla, Menendez File Petitions To Face Off In 8th Dist. Democratic Primary For Congress

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla's congressional campaign said the mayor submitted 1,244 signatures of registered Democrats by the 4 p.m. deadline on Monday to run for the 8th Congressional District in New Jersey.

Bhalla will compete against incumbent Rob Menendez Jr. in the June 4 primary. The winner of that contest will face off in November against Republicans and potential independents.

Menendez filed 1,402 petitions on Friday, said a representative for his campaign.

The 8th District includes Hoboken, some of Jersey City, most Hudson County towns, Elizabeth, and the East and North Wards of Newark.

RELATED: Local Councilmen Endorse Bhalla And Menendez

Bhalla said Monday, "Voters were excited to hear that they will have a real choice in the Congressional primary, as well as highly responsive to my priorities: fighting a national abortion ban, protecting and strengthening our democracy, and working to curb the cost of living.”

Menendez, a Jersey City resident and attorney, ran for his first term in 2022.

After launching his run late last year, Bhalla has started highlighting the indictment of Menendez Jr.'s dad, Sen. Robert Menendez Sr., for bribery. Rep. Menendez Jr., who is finishing his first term, was not named in the indictment.

On March 11, Bhalla wrote on Twitter about new charges against the senator, "This morning, our senior Senator was arraigned in federal court on a 4th superseding indictment. His son also happens to be my primary opponent in NJ-08."

Menendez Jr. fought back last week, launching a website about Bhalla being censured for "unethical" conduct as a lawyer, called CorruptRavi.com.

Kyle Jasey of Jersey City is also running for the Democratic nomination.

Both Bhalla and Menendez have banked over $1 million for their campaigns and have drawn key endorsements from other prominent political figures.

Read more about the race, and Menendez and Bhalla's shots at each other, here: Days After 'Gold Bar Bob' Menendez Barb, Bhalla Asks For 6 Debates

Read more about local politics: Chair of Hoboken Democratic Party Resigns From County Machine, With Letter