MOORESTOWN – Throughout an ordeal that began almost 14 months ago, Andy Kim has sought to establish himself as a regular guy – a guy who went to public schools and who still lives in that very same town.

And on Election Day in this Burlington County town, Kim was indeed a “regular” voter. When Kim, his wife and two children, arrived to vote around 8:30 a.m. at a local Baptist Church, the line snaked out the door and into the parking lot.

Kim is a candidate for the United States Senate. And a sitting Congressman.

One presumes somebody could have talked to somebody and gotten Kim to skip the line.

But no, he and his family members assumed their spot at the end of the line.

Before joining the queue, Kim talked to reporters.

As he often does, he referred to polls that suggest the majority of New Jersey voters think their politicians may be corrupt.

“That is contributing to the undermining of democracy,” he said.

It also contributed to Kim being a candidate for the Senate in the first place. He is seeking the seat vacated by the convicted Bob Menendez.

He launched his campaign soon after Menendez’ indictment in September of 2023.

“I did not plan to run for Senate,” he said. “This is not something I had in the cards.”

But run he did, and after driving First Lady Tammy Murphy out of the race by garnering great grassroots support, Kim is now the favorite to get to the Senate by the end of the month. Polls show Kim with a healthy lead over Republican Curtis Bashaw.

Gov. Phil Murphy says he will appoint a replacement for Menendez as soon as the election is certified. George Helmy, now serving on an interim basis, will step down.

Bashaw, who voted a few days ago, spent Election Eve at the Lobster House restaurant in his hometown of Cape May, which is where his campaign began.

Back in Moorestown, is Kim feeling confident?
“I never feel confident, but I feel like I’ve done everything I can.”