Rob Menendez Explained
Robert Jacobsen Menendez, Jr.[1] [2] (born July 12, 1985)[3] is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 8th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party and son of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, he was a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2021 to 2023.[4]
Early life and education
Menendez was born and raised in Union City, New Jersey.[5] He is the son of Robert Menendez, a New Jersey politician and current Senator, and Jane Jacobsen, a public school teacher, school nurse, and guidance counselor.[6] He is Cuban-American by way of his paternal grandparents who came to the United States in 1953, fleeing the regime of Fulgencio Batista.[7]
Menendez attended Union City public schools through eighth grade and The Hudson School in Hoboken, New Jersey, for high school, graduating in 2003 from the private school, and later serving on its board of trustees.[8] [9] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School, during which time he was president of the Student Bar Association, served as Notes and Comments Editor for Rutgers Race and the Law Review,[10] received the Alumni Senior Prize,[11] and was selected as a Governor’s Executive Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.[12]
Early career
Menendez worked as a lawyer with Lowenstein Sandler LLP.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
On April 15, 2021, Menendez was nominated to be a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey by Governor Phil Murphy.[13] He was unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey State Senate on June 3, 2021,[14] and sworn in on June 4.[15] Menendez chaired the Governance and Ethics Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee, which oversees the Port Authority’s multi-billion-dollar annual budget.[16] He resigned as commissioner on January 2, 2023, the day before he joined Congress.[17]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
As a member of the Democratic Party, Menendez announced his bid for New Jersey's 8th congressional district upon the retirement announcement of incumbent representative Albio Sires, who subsequently endorsed Menendez.[18] His father represented the area before Sires from 1993 to 2006, when it was numbered the 13th congressional district.[19]
Menendez was endorsed by prominent New Jersey politicians, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy,[20] U.S. Senator Cory Booker,[21] State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack, State Senator and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco,[22] Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka,[23] Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage,[24] and others.
Menendez campaigned on addressing the needs of working- and middle-class families and the challenges associated with the rising costs of basic necessities such as housing, healthcare, education and family care. He spoke often about infrastructure investments, gun control, and reproductive choice.[25] Menendez's campaign expressed support for organized labor and workers rights. He was endorsed by numerous labor unions during his campaign.[26] [27] [28]
While running in his own race, Menendez raised and contributed $100,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, with the funds directed to Democratic incumbents and challengers running in battleground districts.[29]
In the primary election, Menendez defeated two challengers, David Ocampo Grajales and Ane Roseborough-Eberhard, with 83.6% of the vote to Grajales's 11.3% and Roseborough-Eberhard's 5.1%.[30] In the general election, Menendez defeated Republican nominee Marcos Arroyo, 73.6% to 23.4%.[31]
Tenure
As a representative-elect, Menendez was elected by members of the Democratic freshman class to serve as freshman representative on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for 2023.[32] He was appointed to serve as a Regional Whip, a post in which he is responsible for assisting the Democratic Whip operation to track votes.[33] Menendez is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.[34]
In 2023, Menendez initially voted against the expulsion of George Santos, a Republican member of the House of Representatives who faced two federal indictments. Menendez cited the lack of a completion of the House Committee on Ethics' investigation as a reason for his position.[35] He later changed his position during the December 1, 2023 vote on the matter, voting "yes" to expel Santos[36] after the findings of the investigation had been unanimously adopted by the Committee and released on November 9.[37] This took place at the same time in which Menendez's father, Bob Menendez, faced pressure to step down amid a federal indictment.[38]
Committee assignments
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee[39]
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Committee on Homeland Security[40]
- Subcommittee on Cybersecurity
Caucus memberships
Personal life
Menendez resides in Jersey City, New Jersey. He married Alex Banfich Menendez in 2017.[45] They have two children.[46] [47]
See also
References
- https://www.lowenstein.com/news-insights/firm-news/lowenstein-counsel-robert-j-menendez-nominated-by-governor-phil-murphy-to-port-authority-of-new-york-and-new-jersey-board-of-commissioners-menendez "Lowenstein Counsel Robert J. Menendez Nominated by Governor Phil Murphy to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners"
- Corasaniti, Nick. "Menendez Trial Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss the Case", The New York Times, "'They’re the best when they’re together,' said Robert J. Menendez Jr., Mr. Menendez’s son and the first witness called by the defense."
- Web site: New Jersey New Members 2023. November 17, 2022. November 18, 2022. November 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221118214414/https://thehill.com/new_members_2023/3740348-new-jersey-new-members-2023/. live.
- News: Bredderman . William . 2022-05-29 . Inside a Dem Senator's Plan to Install His Son in Congress . en . The Daily Beast . 2023-09-23.
- robmenendez4nj. 1590041242360254465. .@OfficialUCNJ is a very special place to me. It's where I was raised + learned the value of public service. So it was an honor to walk this great city w/ @FirstLadyNJ, @LeRoyJJonesJr, @RajMukherji, Craig Guy + the Stack Team. Bonus: seeing our longtime family friend Juana! . December 29, 2022. en.
- Web site: Jane Jacobsen Menéndez - Biography. December 29, 2022 . www.legistorm.com . en.
- Web site: Kassel . Matthew . April 15, 2022 . The senator's son striving to be a Congress man . December 29, 2022 . Jewish Insider . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://jewishinsider.com/2022/04/the-senators-son-striving-to-be-a-congress-man/ . live .
- Maher, Jake. "Rob Menendez, the congressional candidate, navigates stepping into and out of dad’s shadow", The Jersey Journal, February 21, 2022. Accessed November 15, 2022. "Menendez earned his undergrad degree at the University of North Carolina after graduating from the Hudson School, a private school in Hoboken, in 2003."
- Web site: StackPath . December 29, 2022 . www.thehudsonschool.org . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229222801/https://www.thehudsonschool.org/community/board-of-trustees . live .
- Web site: Robert J. Menendez Our Lawyers. December 29, 2022 . www.lowenstein.com . en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201923/https://www.lowenstein.com/people/attorneys/robert-menendez . live .
- Web site: Jake . Maher . February 21, 2022 . Rob Menendez, the congressional candidate, navigates stepping into and out of dad's shadow . December 29, 2022 . nj . en . November 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115141018/https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/02/menendez-jr-the-congressional-candidate-navigates-stepping-into-and-out-of-dads-shadow.html . live .
- Web site: Menendez's Son Prepares to Run for His Father's Old House Seat. December 22, 2021. December 24, 2021. Tully. Tracey. New York Times. December 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211223084729/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/nyregion/robert-menendez-jr-congress-albio-sires.html. live.
- Web site: Higgs . Larry . April 15, 2021 . Murphy nominates Sen. Menendez's son to high-profile Port Authority post . December 29, 2022 . nj . en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201912/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/04/murphy-nominates-sen-menendezs-son-to-high-profile-port-authority-post.html . live .
- Web site: Higgs . Larry . June 3, 2021 . Sen. Menendez's son, three others named to Port Authority board by Senate . December 29, 2022 . nj . en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201911/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/06/sen-menendezs-son-three-others-named-to-port-authority-board-by-senate.html . live .
- Web site: June 4, 2021 . Martinotti, Menendez, Richardson sworn in as new members of Port Authority board . December 29, 2022 . ROI-NJ . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201911/https://www.roi-nj.com/2021/06/04/industry/logistics/martinotti-menendez-richardson-sworn-in-as-new-members-of-port-authority-board/ . live .
- Web site: Board of Commissioners . December 29, 2022 . www.panynj.gov . May 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230517045453/https://www.panynj.gov/corporate/en/government-ethics/board-of-commissioners.html . live .
- News: Wildstein. David. Menendez resigns Port Authority post. New Jersey Globe. Mayfair Media. January 2, 2023. January 2, 2023. January 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230102205302/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-resigns-port-authority-post/. live.
- Web site: December 20, 2021 . Rep. Albio Sires to retire, back Sen. Bob Menendez's son for seat . December 29, 2022 . Roll Call . en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201912/https://rollcall.com/2021/12/20/rep-albio-sires-to-retire-back-sen-bob-menendezs-son-for-seat/ . live .
- News: Tully . Tracey . December 22, 2021 . Menendez's Son Prepares to Run for His Father's Old House Seat . en-US . The New York Times . December 29, 2022 . 0362-4331 . December 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212002944/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/nyregion/robert-menendez-jr-congress-albio-sires.html . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . December 23, 2021 . Murphy endorses Menendez for Congress in NJ-8 . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://newjerseyglobe.com/fr/murphy-endorses-menendez-for-congress-in-nj-8/ . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . December 24, 2021 . Booker endorses Menendez for NJ-8 House seat . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201914/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/booker-endorses-menendez-for-nj-8-house-seat/ . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . December 23, 2021 . Menendez getting Fulop endorsement, Hudson Democratic line, in bid for Congress . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201917/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-getting-fulop-endorsement-hudson-democratic-line-in-bid-for-congress/ . live .
- Web site: Heinis . John . May 19, 2022 . Newark Mayor Ras Baraka endorses Rob Menendez in 8th District congressional race . December 29, 2022 . Hudson County View . en . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201912/https://hudsoncountyview.com/newark-mayor-ras-baraka-endorses-rob-menendez-in-8th-district-congressional-race/ . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . December 23, 2021 . Union County goes for Menendez, with endorsements from Scutari, Bollwage, Teixeira . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201912/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/union-county-goes-for-menendez-with-endorsements-from-scutari-bollwage-teixeira/ . live .
- Web site: Racioppi . Dustin . Who's running and top issues: What to know about NJ's 8th Congressional District primary . December 29, 2022 . North Jersey Media Group . en-US . September 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230923070133/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/06/02/nj-primary-election-8th-congressional-district-menendez-grajales-eberhard-arroyo/7453239001/ . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . March 17, 2022 . Menendez endorsed by Carpenters union . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201917/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-endorsed-by-carpenters-union/ . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US.
- Web site: Heinis . John . May 31, 2022 . Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council backs Menendez for Congress . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://hudsoncountyview.com/hudson-county-building-and-construction-trades-council-backs-menendez-for-congress/ . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . Hudson County View . en.
- Web site: June 27, 2022 . Rob Menendez Endorsed by Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey and International Association of Firefighters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/rob-menendez-endorsed-by-professional-firefighters-association-of-new-jersey-and-international-association-of-firefighters/ . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . Insider NJ . en-US.
- Web site: Wildstein . David . October 4, 2022 . Rob Menendez raising big money for House Democrats in tight races . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201915/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/rob-menendez-raising-big-money-for-house-democrats-in-tight-races/ . live .
- News: June 7, 2022 . New Jersey Eighth Congressional District Primary Election Results . en-US . The New York Times . December 29, 2022 . 0362-4331 . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201911/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/06/07/us/elections/results-new-jersey-us-house-district-8.html . live .
- News: November 8, 2022 . New Jersey Eighth Congressional District Election Results . en-US . The New York Times . December 29, 2022 . 0362-4331 . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-new-jersey-us-house-district-8.html . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . December 9, 2022 . Menendez gets seat on powerful House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee . December 29, 2022 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201918/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-gets-seat-on-powerful-house-democratic-steering-and-policy-committee/ . live .
- Web site: Henig . Jeffrey . December 23, 2022 . Rep.-Elect Rob Menendez To Serve As Regional Whip For House Democrats . December 29, 2022 . Hudson TV . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201912/https://hudsontv.com/rep-elect-rob-menendez-to-serve-as-regional-whip-for-house-democrats/ . live .
- Web site: Bernal . Rafael . 2022-11-27 . New wave of Hispanic lawmakers to hit House . 2023-05-11 . The Hill . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229204915/https://thehill.com/latino/3748729-new-wave-of-hispanic-lawmakers-to-hit-house/ . live .
- News: Solender, Andre; Kight, Stef W.. George Santos finds unlikely protectors in House Democrats. Axios. en-US. live. November 2, 2023. May 1, 2024.
- Web site: How Every Member Voted On The Expulsion of George Santos From Congress. The New York Times. Gamio, Lazaro; Williams, Josh; Wu, Ashley; Escobar, Mollly Cook. en-US. live. December 1, 2023. May 1, 2024. December 1, 2023. https://archive.today/20231201170713/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/12/01/us/politics/santos-expulsion-vote-tracker.html.
- Web site: In The Matter Of Allegations Relating To Representative George Santos. Joyce, David P.. U.S. House of Representatives. en-US. live. November 9, 2023. May 1, 2023. November 17, 2023. https://archive.today/20231117090414/https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/ISC%20Report_0.pdf.
- Web site: Sen. Bob Menendez Faces Growing Pressure From Democrats to Resign. The Wall Street Journal. Hanrahan, Tim. en-GB. live. September 24, 2023. May 1, 2024. September 24, 2023. https://archive.today/20230924141140/https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/sen-bob-menendez-faces-growing-pressure-from-democrats-to-resign-c9245a85.
- Web site: Representative Rob Menendez Secures Key Committee Assignments . 2023-05-11 . TAPinto . en . May 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511160414/https://www.tapinto.net/towns/jersey-city/sections/government/articles/representative-rob-menendez-secures-key-committee-assignments . live .
- Web site: Wildstein . David . 2023-01-26 . Menendez gets seats on transportation, homeland security committees . 2023-05-11 . New Jersey Globe . en-US . May 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511154026/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/menendez-gets-seats-on-transportation-homeland-security-committees/ . live .
- Web site: Bernal . Rafael . November 27, 2022 . New wave of Hispanic lawmakers to hit House . December 29, 2022 . The Hill . en-US . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229204915/https://thehill.com/latino/3748729-new-wave-of-hispanic-lawmakers-to-hit-house/ . live .
- Web site: Bustillo . Ximena . January 28, 2023 . With an eye on working families, Democrats launch the Congressional Dads Caucus . live . NPR . September 23, 2023 . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516131725/https://www.npr.org/2023/01/28/1151723607/democrats-congressional-dads-caucus .
- Web site: House members launch Renters Caucus to focus on affordable housing . 2023-07-22 . www.ny1.com . en . July 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722151512/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/06/07/house-members-launch-renters-caucus-to-focus-on-affordable-housing . live .
- Web site: Fazelpoor . Matthew . 2023-04-17 . Bill to restore SALT deduction introduced in Congress . 2023-07-22 . NJBIZ . en-US . July 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722151510/https://njbiz.com/bill-to-restore-salt-deduction-introduced-in-congress/ . live .
- Web site: November 2017 . Back, Back...to Culver Days . live . Culver Alumni . December 29, 2022 . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229201913/https://alumni.culver.org/document.doc?id=1430 .
- robmenendez4nj . 1538674877523234821 . I might be running for Congress, but I already have the best job I could ever hope for: Being Olivia's dad. #FathersDay . December 29, 2022 . en.
- robmenendez4nj . 1576978351541010432 . Last month we became a family of 4 with the arrival of our son, Robert Alexander. Thankful everyone is doing well and appreciative of all of our family + friends who have been so supportive of our growing family (while dealing with a slightly sleep deprived candidate).. December 29, 2022 .
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