Three-term U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-New Jersey) has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey next year and has secured the endorsement of an influential progressive organization.
Following a week-long voting process, SOMA Action, a progressive group based in South Orange and Maplewood, endorsed Kim with 80.9 percent of the vote, the New Jersey Globe reported on October 31. He outperformed Tammy Murphy, the wife of the New Jersey Governor, and two other contenders. Murphy did not receive any votes in the first round of balloting, and 95.6% of SOMA Action members who voted selected Kim as their first or second choice.
The other two candidates, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes), each garnered 1.5% of the vote.
The leadership of SOMA Action has publicly backed Kim. Last month, Kim declared his intention to contest the party’s primary against Sen. Robert Menendez, whom federal prosecutors have accused of accepting cash and gold bullion as bribes from businessmen in New Jersey.
“Andy Kim is a dedicated public servant with outstanding integrity and a strong, progressive track record,” stated Jessica James, president of SOMA Action.
BY SUAH JANG [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
