Rep. Andy Kim raised more money in the third quarter than the indicted New Jersey senator he’s seeking to oust: fellow Democrat Bob Menendez.
Mr. Kim hauled in nearly $1.2 million from July 1 to Sept. 30, the bulk of which came in the final fundraising days of the quarter after launching his primary challenge Sept. 23, the day after Mr. Menendez was charged with bribery and public corruption.
During the same period, Mr. Menendez raised just $919,000, underscoring the threat that Mr. Kim poses as the incumbent senator faces resignation calls from two-thirds of his Democratic colleagues.
Still, Mr. Menendez’s campaign has far deeper pockets with $8.5 million cash on hand compared with Mr. Kim’s $1.9 million.
Mr. Menendez has pleaded not guilty and declined to say whether he’ll seek reelection next year, though he’s vowed to fight the allegations and remain in office. He and his wife were hit with a superseding indictment last week for conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt’s government.
The original charges say the couple received extravagant gifts — including $500,000 in cash, gold bars and a luxury car — from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for sensitive information and favors to benefit the men and the Egyptian government.
Mr. Menendez denied the accusations laid out in the superseding indictment, telling The Washington Times in a statement last week that the foreign agent charge “is an attempt to wear someone down.”
Nearly $1 million of Mr. Kim’s fundraising came in the first week of his candidacy, which also marked the final days of the quarter. He received more than 12,000 donations throughout the third quarter, according to his campaign.
Roughly 73% of Mr. Kim’s donations, or $858,000, were $200 or higher, according to a Federal Election Commission filing.
“People in New Jersey deserve a senator who serves them with integrity, responsibility and humility — that’s what this campaign is about,” Mr. Kim said in a statement.
Both men could have additional Democratic opponents to fend off in the deep blue state.
Gov. Phil Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, is considering a run. Other House Democrats from New Jersey also have left the door open to challenging Mr. Menendez.
Source:Washington Times
