(NEW JERSEY) – Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) beat businessman Curtis Bashaw (R-NJ) to win the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat, AP News projected on Tuesday. 

With 34% of votes counted, Kim led the polls with 55% and Bashaw trailing behind at 42%. Kim also beat two independent candidates – Christina Khalil and Kenneth Kaplan – each receiving fewer than one percent of the vote, AP News reported.

The race drew national attention as an open seat that could help determine the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats hold a razor-thin effective majority. The seat was vacated by Democratic Sen. Robert Menedez who resigned on Aug. 20 after being convicted of federal bribery charges. New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy appointed his former chief of staff, George Helmy, to replace Menedez until the election results were verified.

New Jersey’s first Asian American senator and the first U.S. senator of Korean descent shared a few words about his win on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“We just won our Senate race! As a son of immigrants, a public school kid, I never could’ve imagined I’d get to serve as a US Senator,” Kim said. “I’m deeply humbled and grateful to NJ and for everyone who got us here. I promise I’ll serve with honor and integrity as a public servant for all.”

At the Democratic Committee of Bergen County’s watch party, multiple New Jersey voters said they were pleased with Kim’s win on Tuesday night.

Manojit Nandi, a lifelong Democrat in his early 30s, said he was glad to see the former diplomat win New Jersey’s U.S. Senate seat. 

“Very happy to see it happen,” Nandi said. “I mean, I think it was sort of the expected result. We look at the polls leading up to it, which was it was definitely in his favor. I also think Curtis Bashaw is sort of in this place where he’s…openly gay [and] pro-choice, where he’s too left of center for Republicans and MAGA and not liberal enough for Democrats.” 

Public relations professional Adam Silverstein – who voted blue up and down the ballot – said he feels the same way. 

“I think it’s a great and historic night in New Jersey being that Andy Kim is the first Asian American in the Senate,” Silverstein said. “I think we should take a great amount of pride in the fact that our Congressional Lieutenant delegation reflects the diversity of our state.”  

Kim has been the congressman for the 3rd Congressional District of New Jersey since 2019 defeating Republican Bob Healey, since he flipped the seat six years ago.

Before that, the son of Korean immigrants served as a United States National Security Council adviser under President Barack Obama and worked in Afghanistan as a civilian advisor to the military. 

“New Jersey gave my family the opportunity to achieve the American dream, but now, the chaos, dysfunction, and extremism in our politics makes me worry those same opportunities won’t be there for my kids,” Kim said in a statement.

“As a former civilian strategic advisor to Generals in Afghanistan, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices the members of our military make for us.”

Bashaw shared a few words after his loss. 

“I am so proud of what we accomplished tonight,” Bashaw said. “Instead of tearing people down, we are building something bigger. We are building a bigger and better Republican Party together, a party of people who believe in greater freedom and a vital economy to create more opportunities, and we’re bringing people together to get things done.”

Before the election, voters like Katie Mirne felt that Bashaw’s stance on border control and economic security made him the better candidate for New Jersey’s U.S. Senate seat. Mirne currently serves as the chairwoman for New Jersey High School Republicans, an organization that serves as an entryway for youth interested in Republican politics.  

“Curtis Bashaw has a vision for New Jersey and America that I feel will best serve and strengthen our nation,” Mirne told The Click. “He hopes to make homes more affordable, secure the border for the safety of Americans, and strengthen the economy to help small businesses thrive…Curtis Bashaw has a new and exciting outlook that will create a more prosperous and sustainable future for New Jerseyans and all Americans.” 

Since 2018, New Jersey has had a Democratic trifecta controlling the state’s house, senate, and governor’s mansion. The Garden State has consistently leaned Democratic in presidential elections, with former President Joe Biden winning the state by about 15.9 percentage points in the 2020 race. However, with 94% votes counted, Kamala Harris won New Jersey by only 5.3 percentage points more than Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

In 2021, Democratic Governor Murphy beat Republican Jack Ciattarelli by just a little more than three points in the 2021 race. Despite narrowly retaining the governorship in 2021, Tuesday’s results affirmed the Democratic trifecta in New Jersey, with Kim securing the win in the U.S. Senate race. During his victory speech at the Cherry Hill Hotel, Kim said “A new era of politics is rising.” 

“We’ve shown our country that there’s a better way to be able to do this,” he said. “It could mean a politics that lifts people up, that gives people hope, that delivers for everyone. It could mean  a politics that changes the trajectory of our nation and builds a brighter future.”