Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) outraised Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in the final days of the third quarter fundraising period after the embattled senator was indicted on federal corruption charges.
Kim raised $1.2 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to campaign finance records. In the same period, Menendez's fundraising slowed, with his campaign bringing in $919,000. While Menendez does have more cash on hand stockpiled, $8.6 million to Kim's $1.2 million, the New Jersey senator's coffers could take a hit due to his legal woes.
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Menendez was indicted on Sept. 22, accused of aiding New Jersey businessmen and the Egyptian government in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars, bars of gold bullion, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible. He pleaded not guilty to the crimes on Sept. 27 and has adamantly told supporters and members of the Senate that he is innocent.
The terms of Menendez's release included a $100,000 bond, as well the surrendering of his passport, though he is permitted to travel abroad for Senate business. He was also told not to have contact with Senate staffers who have personal knowledge of the facts of the case unless accompanied by a lawyer.
According to Menendez’s campaign filing, the incumbent senator raised roughly $130,000 after he was indicted. Fundraising slowed after his indictment, campaign finance data show via an analysis by the Messenger.
His legal troubles appear to be having a negative impact on his reelection bid. Menendez is not faring well in the polls, with only 9% of Democrats saying they would reelect him. Kim, who launched his Senate campaign the day after Menendez was indicted, has a big lead, with 48% of state Democrats favoring him.
The survey showed that 78% of respondents think he should resign, and 95% of New Jerseyites have heard about his legal troubles. This could heavily weigh on Menendez's ability to fundraise, particularly in New Jersey, one of the most expensive states to run a campaign in due to New York and Philadelphia's expensive media markets.
New Jersey's Senate race was the fourth most expensive in 2018, raising $51,566,327 among all candidates. The New Jersey race was also the third most expensive in terms of spending that year, spending $52,648,099 among all candidates. Menendez was up for reelection that year.
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A majority of Senate Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), have called on Menendez to resign. However, Democratic lawmakers and allies worry that this could hand a seat to the Republicans in 2024. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the second senator to call for Menendez to resign, said, “I hope he doesn’t run, but if he does run, it’s his choice. And I think he will lose.”
If the indicted senator ignores warnings from his constituents in the Senate, he faces what National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT) says “could become a competitive race.” Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) is one of the leading Republican names who may launch a bid for Menendez's seat. Still, the race for Menendez's seat is rated "likely Democrat" by Cook Political Report.