Conaway wins Democratic primary to run for Senate seat against Bob Menendez.

Longtime New Jersey state assemblyman Herb Conaway emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district on Tuesday, paving the way for a face-off against a Republican challenger in November.

Having served in New Jersey’s legislature since 1998, Conaway’s longstanding dedication to public service earned him the support of many voters. A late April survey conducted by Public Policy Polling revealed Conaway as the clear front-runner in the race.

Conaway’s triumph came in a competitive five-way primary battle to fill the vacant seat left by Rep. Andy Kim, a prominent figure in the effort to unseat Sen. Bob Menendez. Kim, in launching a primary challenge against Menendez in September 2023, brought attention to the senator’s ongoing troubles with bribery and corruption charges.

Since Menendez’s decision to run for his seat as an Independent, Kim had been the favored candidate to clinch the Democratic primary. The 3rd congressional district, located in the southern part of New Jersey and encompassing parts of the Philadelphia suburbs, is a diverse area that has shown support for Democratic candidates in recent elections.

The district’s electorate backed President Biden in the 2020 election, and narrowly elected Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. Despite its Democratic leanings, the district’s history as a Republican stronghold until 2019 when Kim won the seat, opens up possibilities for the upcoming general election.

As the campaign trail heats up, both parties will vie for the opportunity to represent the diverse constituency of New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district. With the political landscape constantly shifting, only time will tell who will emerge victorious in November.