Andy Kim is a Democratic senator from New Jersey, elected in 2024 in a high-profile open-seat race following the downfall of longtime incumbent Bob Menendez. He won statewide by roughly 9.6%, outperforming expectations in the suburbs and along the I-95 corridor.
Born July 12, 1982, in Boston, Kim is the son of Korean immigrants. He graduated from Duke University, studied international relations at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and later worked in national security and foreign policy roles in the Obama and Biden administrations.
First elected to the U.S. House in 2018, Kim built a profile as a calm, policy-heavy, ethics-branded Democrat — especially after images of him cleaning the Capitol floor after the January 6 attack went viral. His priorities include democracy protection, reproductive rights, anti-corruption / money-in- politics reform, climate resilience, and social equity.
Progressive Democrat
Achievements
- Won New Jersey’s 2024 open Senate race by ~9.6%, consolidating reform/ethics messaging
- Backed campaign finance and anti-corruption reforms, voting rights, and democratic safeguards
- Pushed climate resilience, clean energy transition, and coastal protection
- Strong advocate for reproductive freedom and healthcare access
- Championed veteran and military family support in the House, drawing on his natsec background
Controversies
- Criticized by some moderates and business groups for aligning with progressive climate and regulatory policy
- Faced attacks that he’s more focused on national ethics reform and foreign policy than “local pork”
- Conservatives framed him as too liberal on abortion rights, voting access, and federal oversight of policing
- Occasionally knocked on the left for pragmatic budget negotiations viewed as not pure enough
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | $92,387 | $92,387 | $0 |
| Centerview Partners | $74,125 | $74,125 | $0 |
| JStreetPAC | $72,253 | $72,253 | $0 |
| Google Inc | $37,414 | $37,414 | $0 |
| Rutgers University | $32,949 | $32,949 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2024 Margin D +9.6%