New Jersey Votes for History: Andy Kim Becomes First Korean-American in Senate

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Posted by Eileen Stewart November 6, 2024
New Jersey Votes for History Andy Kim Becomes First Korean-American in Senate

The first Korean-American elected to the U.S. Senate is Rep. Andy Kim. Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who resigned in August after being charged with federal bribery and corruption, will be replaced by the Democrat in the New Jersey seat.

Kim defeated Cape May real estate entrepreneur and Republican Curtis Bashaw, who has served in the state’s 3rd congressional district since 2019.

At a victory celebration late Tuesday, Kim thanked his fans and admitted that he was having “hard time processing this moment.”

“I say to you from the bottom of my heart as the Jersey kid who never thought he would be able to say this: I am your next United States Senator,” Kim stated to supporters.

After thanking his wife, Kammy, and parents for their unwavering support, he turned to his sons, Austin, 9, and August, 7, who had joined him on stage, and expressed his wish that they were proud of him.

Who is Andy Kim?

Kim has established himself as a reformer. A day after Menendez was charged with federal bribery and corruption, he announced his candidacy in September 2023. In July, Menendez was found guilty of several of the allegations, and in August, he resigned.

Kim gained notoriety before to the primary election when she was seen cleaning up in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda with a trash bag after the pro-Trump crowd broke in on January 6, 2021.

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As initially reported by NBC News, Kim claimed that he was struck with emotion just days after the attack while he was strolling about the Capitol, assessing the damage for himself, in between votes. “I felt driven to take action when I arrived at the rotunda because I wanted to witness it firsthand.”

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Eileen Stewart
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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.