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Here's a little bit about the two candidates:
Kim has represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district since 2019. He jumped into the race upon Menendez's indictment and fended off a challenge from First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose campaign struggled, forcing her to drop out before the primary.
Kim's lasting impact in the race may be upending New Jersey's controversial "line" system. A judge ruled against the state's controversial party line ballot system, which gave preferential treatment to candidates endorsed by the county party after Kim filed a lawsuit.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin called the line system "unconstitutional" in a legal filing and said he would not defend it in court, despite Gov. Phil Murphy's support for the line.
Bashaw, is a real estate developer and former executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, who knocked off a candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary.
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Bashaw grew up in Camden County and spent his summers at the Jersey Shore working as a bellhop and waiting tables at Congress Hall in Cape May. His business employs more than 1,000 people.
If elected, Bashaw would be New Jersey’s first openly LGBTQ+ U.S. senator and the first LGBTQ+ Republican senator.
Bashaw faces an uphill battle in a blue state that is expected to go easily for Vice President Kamala Harris. New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1976.
The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan election handicapper, rates the race as "Solid Democrat" while a recent poll from Cygny has Kim up 16 points.
Whoever wins will be appointed to Menendez's seat by Gov. Phil Murphy and sworn in right after the election.
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