It's 'Time To Move On' From Both Bob And Rob Menendez, Says NJ Gov. Candidate Fulop

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Hudson County Democratic birds of a feather often flock together when it comes to supporting each other's political candidates, but after recent events, they're tending to flock off.

UPDATE: Rep. Rob Menendez Responds To Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop

This past Friday, Hudson County's longtime Democratic machine — known as the Hudson County Democratic Organization — sent out a statement announcing it would support the re-election bid in 2024 of Rep. Rob Menendez, the son of recently indicted Sen. Bob Menendez Sr.

The move came weeks after Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla confirmed he will challenge the congressman for the Democratic nomination next June.

The Bhalla news was followed by more recent reports that Bhalla had raised $506,000 — putting the HCDO in a tough spot about picking a side.

Now, the HCDO has chosen the congressman, issuing a late-breaking statement Friday evening.

After the HCDO chose the younger Menendez, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop — who's running for New Jersey governor in 2025 — issued a statement today (Monday) saying he will not, after all, stick with Menendez Jr.

Menendez Jr., incidentally, has not been named in the indictment of his father (read the federal indictment here).

Fulop said as part of his statement, "I thought maybe I could separate the father and son...It’s not a secret that Rob got to Congress only because of his dad's influence."

The younger Menendez lives in Jersey City.

Below is Fulop's statement on both Menendezes. (What do you think? You can post letters to Patch using these instructions.)

Fulop's Statement On Rep. Rob Menendez Jr.

Late last week, the Hudson County Democratic Organization issued a statement that they would support Congressman Rob Menendez for another term in office. I respect the position of the mayors in Hudson County and we have a close relationship but I have a different view here.

I’m not on board with supporting Rob Menendez for another term in Congress. It’s time to move on.

When the Senator first got indicted, I thought maybe I could separate the father and son, and I even expressed that to Rob. As time went on, I realized it is impossible to do that and the situations are tied together. It’s not a secret that Rob got to Congress only because of his dad's influence, so it’s fair to move on from Rob now because of that same influence.

It is also clear that the Senator continues to say he will still run for reelection despite the embarrassment for our state, the Senator still threatens people privately and publicly, and the congressman has not separated himself from any of it. I understand it’s his dad, but it’s unreasonable to be linked together because of family only when it helps.

RELATED:

Hudson County Democratic Organization Announces Endorsement Of Rep. Menendez

Hoboken Mayor Bhalla Hopes To Take On Rob Menendez For Congress In 2024