Incumbent
Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
42%
NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
$33.0K
JUN 3, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age40 years old (Jul 12, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationNew Jersey
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., Political Science)
Notable personal detailsRobert Jacobsen Menendez Jr. is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 8th congressional district since January 3, 2023. Before Congress, he served as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (2021–2023). He earned a B.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govmenendez.house.goven.wikipedia.orgrobmenendez.comballotwire.comnewjerseyglobe.comfspolitics.comes.wikipedia.orgwiktok.ionteu.orgnj.govdatausa.ioencycloreader.orgstandwithcrypto.orgnachc.orgstratpolitics.orgreddit.commeetthefreshmen.marathonstrategies.comnjbmagazine.comwatsoncoleman.house.govbattlegroundvote.comchci.orgballotready.orgclerk.house.govbradypac.orgapnews.comdailykos.comwhyy.orgaxios.comwashingtonpost.comabcnews.go.comcdn.cnn.compolitico.comcdn.ballotpedia.orglatimes.combostonglobe.comcbsnews.comhistory.house.govgovinfo.govsenate.govdemocrats.house.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govequality.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports measures that increase tax benefits for families and expand social supports while pursuing revenue for public investment; has backed bolstering the Child Tax Credit, capping child care costs for families, and proposed using repatriated corporate funds for an infrastructure bank. Also cosponsored legislation to shift payroll tax burdens for gig workers toward employers.
Healthcare
Supports affordable, accessible healthcare and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, including reducing prescription drug prices and expanding access to care. Emphasizes lowering costs for families and ensuring access regardless of ability to pay.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, robust asylum protections, closing private detention centers, and measures to reduce immigration court backlogs. Advocates expanded legal pathways and reforms to address the U.S. immigration system’s humanitarian and administrative failures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal abortion access and codifying Roe v. Wade, opposes restrictive bans, and advocates expanding access to medication abortion (including easing FDA restrictions and mail access).
Climate & Energy
Supports investment in clean energy and environmental justice, advocates protecting EPA climate safeguards, and promotes programs to expand renewable energy and assist households with energy costs. Serves on House Energy and Commerce Committee with a focus on environment and energy policy.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports federal assault weapons ban, universal background checks, Ethan’s Law (safe storage requirements) and other common-sense gun safety reforms; has sought and received endorsements from gun violence prevention organizations. Plans to push for stronger federal gun-safety legislation in Congress.
Polls
NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Robert Menendez Jr. for NJ-08 Democratic nominee?
Leading the Future
Public endorsement
Leading the Future endorsed Robert Menendez Jr. in the 2026 Democratic primary race.
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.
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