Perhaps there will soon be two Menendezes roaming the halls of Congress in D.C.
That’s because Rob Menendez, the son of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-Harrison, announced his candidacy for Jersey’s 8th Congressional District on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol.
“This is a generation-defining moment,” the younger Menendez said. How we move forward in a time of insurrection, global pandemic, and economic uncertainty will define the America we leave for our children to inherit and will take all of us working together to succeed. With our future, and our children’s future, at stake, we can no longer sit on the sidelines. That is why I am running for Congress and asking you to join with me in this fight.”
Menendez was born and raised in Hudson County. He says he is running for Congress to represent a diverse district and the common values we share in communities — respect and tolerance, hard work, common sense and the unshakable idea that everyone should have the opportunity and tools to succeed.
“The assault on the Capitol was about a part of our country unwilling to accept that our nation is changing and holding on to a past that has left too many behind,” he said. “One year later, it has become evident that our challenges can’t wait. Whether it’s dealing with the impact of the pandemic on our children’s future, the ability of individuals to get back to work, or getting serious about protecting each individual’s right to vote, we have no time to waste. We need to meet this moment, and I am ready for the fight.
“The people of the 8th Congressional District represent the best of who we are, the best we can be and the blueprint for a more inclusive future. It’s here where my family, like so many others, planted our American roots. Where we set our foundation. Where we grew and prospered alongside our neighbors. This place and these incredible people have shaped me into who I am. I am running to make sure their voices are heard in Congress each and every day.
Rob Menendez is counsel at the national law firm Lowenstein Sandler, where he says he uses his legal training to help clients launch, operate and grow businesses, advising on a wide breadth of legal and regulatory issues.
In addition to his legal practice, Menendez serves as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and as a trustee of the Hudson School in Hoboken. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.
He, his wife and young daughter live in Jersey City.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.