Robert Menendez Jr. Formally Announces NJ-8 Congressional Campaign

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Rob Menendez Jr., an attorney and Jersey City resident, announced on Thursday his candidacy to represent New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. He will seek the Democratic nomination in June to replace Rep. Albio Sires, who is not running for re-election this year.

The 8th District includes Hoboken, part of Jersey City, part of Newark, all of Belleville, Fairview, Elizabeth, and most of Hudson County.

Looking Forward After Jan. 6

Menendez made his announcement on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, saying, “This is a generation defining moment. How we move forward in a time of insurrection, global pandemic, and economic uncertainty will define the America we leave for our children to inherit and will take all of us working together to succeed."

He added, "With our future, and our children’s future, at stake, we can no longer sit on the sidelines. That is why I am running for Congress and asking you to join with me in this fight.”

He said, “The assault on the Capitol was about a part of our country unwilling to accept that our nation is changing, and holding on to a past that has left too many behind."

Quoting Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address in 1865, Menendez said that to move on from this chapter in America, we must " ‘strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds.' "

He added, “One year later, it has become evident that our challenges can’t wait. Whether it’s dealing with the impact of the pandemic on our children’s future, the ability of individuals to get back to work, or getting serious about protecting each individual’s right to vote, we have no time to waste. We need to meet this moment, and I am ready for the fight.”

Menendez was born and raised in Hudson County.

He is running for Congress to represent the diverse district and its shared values: "Respect and tolerance, hard work, common sense, and the unshakable idea that everyone should have the opportunity and tools to succeed."

“The people of the 8th Congressional District represent the best of who we are, the best we can be, and the blueprint for a more inclusive future,” he said. “It’s here where my family, like so many others, planted our American roots. Where we set our foundation. Where we grew and prospered alongside our neighbors. This place and these incredible people have shaped me into who I am. I am running to make sure their voices are heard in Congress each and every day.”

Menendez is counsel at the national law firm Lowenstein Sandler where he uses his legal training to help clients launch, operate, and grow their businesses, advising on a wide breadth of legal and regulatory issues. He has leveraged this experience by serving as counsel to companies, many of which are led by traditionally underrepresented founders and executives, enabling them to drive American innovation and bring sustainable wealth to a new generation of entrepreneurs.

In addition to his legal practice, Menendez serves as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and as a Trustee of The Hudson School in Hoboken. He earned an undergraduate degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School. He and his wife and young daughter live in Jersey City.

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