Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
42%
27%
Democrat
Incumbent
IncumbentRobert Menendez Jr.
DemocratIncumbent
IncumbentRobert Menendez Jr.
NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
$33.1K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
LocationNew Jersey
SourcesShowHide
menendez.house.govrobmenendez.comen.wikipedia.orgmeetthefreshmen.marathonstrategies.comobserver.comwhyy.orghudsontoday.comhudsoncountyview.comwrnjradio.comngwa.orgbradypac.orgnewjerseyglobe.comcampaignsdaily.comcbsnews.comirs.govbooker.senate.govaxios.comapnews.comassets.apnews.comhistory.house.govfec.govwikidata.orgsenate.goves.wikipedia.orggovinfo.govdocquery.fec.govclerk.house.govhouse.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govdirectory.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports policies that provide tax relief and credits for working- and middle-class families (including expanding the Child Tax Credit and other credits), backs wage growth and pro-worker measures, and participates in efforts to restore state and local tax (SALT) relief for New Jersey taxpayers. Positions emphasize targeted tax credits and investments to help working families rather than broad tax cuts for corporations or wealthy individuals.
Healthcare
Supports lowering the cost of health insurance and prescription drugs, protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions, expanding access to affordable care through community health centers, and improving equity and access to medical care. Advocates using and strengthening Affordable Care Act mechanisms and government programs to expand coverage and affordability.
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Immigration & Border
Robert (Rob) Menendez Jr. has criticized aggressive ICE actions, participated in oversight of an ICE immigration detention center, and supported legal services for immigrants in his district. Local reporting documents he has expressed support for abolishing ICE and has positioned himself against hard-line enforcement tactics while advocating for increased legal supports for immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting the right to choose and codifying reproductive rights into federal law, has cosponsored bills to protect contraception access and the right to abortion care, and supports access to medication abortion. He has received endorsements from reproductive-rights organizations.
Climate & Energy
Supports climate action and clean energy investment, emphasizing environmental justice, upgrades to clean-energy infrastructure (electric buses, EV charging), and policies toward a zero-emissions future while using legislative and oversight tools to defend EPA climate protections.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports re-enacting and expanding a federal assault weapons ban, widening the scope of background checks (including private sales), endorsing federal extreme risk protection orders, addressing ghost guns, and promoting safe-storage laws and school protections.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 3, 2026
Robert Menendez Jr. won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District, with the race called early as he led Mussab Ali. He is also backing the proposed Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act, which would require clearer caffeine labeling on energy drinks. Overall, he is in the news mainly for his primary victory and his support for the caffeine safety bill.
menendez.house.gov+29
Polls
NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.4M
$1.8M
$1.2M
$596.2K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$1.8M
$355.2K
$1.4M
$58.2K
Cycle 2024
$2.4M
$276.7K
$2.5M
$102.6K
Cycle 2026
$1.6M
$748.3K
$1.1M
$63.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements