Congressman Andy Kim Scores Big Numbers at Somerset County Convention Despite County’s Machine Efforts

MANVILLE N.J. – Today, Congressman Andy Kim joined 106 delegates in a show of strength against party bosses, where they proved that voters are brave enough to vote their conscience, even in the face of intimidation and scale-tipping. Andy participated in the first public open convention of the cycle, where delegates voted by a raise of hands in front of convention attendees after a call from delegates to change the method of voting to a secret ballot was denied by Chairwoman Peg Schaffer, going against the wishes of many who were voting delegates.

Congressman Kim combatted substantial efforts by Chairwoman Schaffer to ensure Tammy Murphy’s victory, which included writing a letter to delegates pleading with them to vote for Murphy wherein she admitted that their county has been rewarded with judgeships and positions within the government for their machine-like politics, turning down prior requests from delegates to use a secret ballot, and using county resources and operations to send ‘pro-Tammy’ texts to delegates ahead of the convention.

“I am so proud of everyone who stood up today and publicly voted for me, rebuffing the blatant efforts from Chairwoman Schaffer to sway the results in the process,” said Congressman Andy Kim. “Across the state, rank-and-file voters are joining me to create a new vision of New Jersey politics where the people, not the power, decide. These results show that even when faced with a public vote, New Jersey is rising up and demanding a fair choice for the ballot box this June.”

First elected to Congress in 2018 at the age of 36, three-term Congressman Andy Kim is one of the younger members to serve in Congress and is the first Asian American elected to federal office from New Jersey. If elected to the Senate, Andy would be the 4th youngest Senator, the first senator from South Jersey in recent memory, and the first Asian American elected to the Senate from the entire east coast of America. In 2018 and 2020, Andy defeated two self-funding millionaires in a district carried by former President Trump, and in 2022 Kim defeated his third self-funding millionaire opponent by 12 points.

In his three terms in Congress, Andy has worked hard to lower costs for New Jersey families and help support small businesses through challenging times. Andy has also been a leading champion in fighting against corruption in our broken politics.