RFK Projected to be Tossed off November Ballot for Violating New Jersey's Sore Loser Law
Independent candidate for President, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to be tossed off the November ballot on Monday for violating NJ’s sore loser law. For those who are unfamiliar with sore loser law, it is a law that prohibits candidates who seek the nomination for their respective party from running as a third party for the general election. Kennedy, 70, was at one point a Democratic candidate for President as the alternative voice for the Democrats who felt disillusioned by Biden. He then switched to become an Independent candidate after Dem party bosses chose to back Biden for re-election. Rumors have surfaced that RFK had planned to drop out, however, he has denied these claims and will stay in the race as an independent; leaving him only on the ballot in states where he has qualified.
This does not apply to embattled Senator Bob Menendez as he never filed to run for re-election as a Democrat but rather as an Independent. However, on July 23rd, Menendez announced that he will resign from the Senate, and his last day as a U.S. Senator will be August 20th. It is unclear whether he will continue his Independent bid for Senate.
Due to large infighting within the Democrats, Republicans are using this to their advantage nationwide. With RFK not on the ballot in NJ, this would hinder Trump’s longshot chances of winning New Jersey. However, the Republican Nominee for U.S. Senate Curtis Bashaw’s race with Andy Kim has been described as a dead heat in NJ. Historically a moderate blue state, NJ could vote in a Republican U.S. Senate candidate for the first time since 1972. The last time Republicans won a statewide race in NJ was Chris Christie’s landslide re-election victory against then State Senator Barbara Buono in 2013. As long as Menendez continues his independent bid for Senate, Republicans do have a possibility of flipping this seat.
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