JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Diya TV) — According to an internal poll conducted by the Rob Menendez for NJ campaign, Rep. Rob Menendez, representing Jersey City, maintains a 22-point lead over his closest rival, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 8th congressional district.
The poll reveals that Menendez leads Bhalla by a significant margin, with 46% of registered Democrats supporting him compared to Bhalla’s 24%. Another candidate, Kyle Jasey, trails behind with 6% of the vote.
However, what stands out is the significant support Menendez receives despite the allegations of bribery and other crimes leveled against his father, former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. A remarkable 77% of Democrats surveyed agree that “the son should not have to pay for the sins of the father,” emphasizing Congressman Rob Menendez should be judged based on his own merits, not his father’s actions.
Furthermore, 73% of respondents believe that Congressman Menendez should be viewed as an individual separate from his father, with just 16% agreeing that he should be held accountable for his father’s actions.
Ben Lazarus of TargetSmart, a Democratic polling firm, noted that the poll findings challenge the notion that Menendez faces an uphill battle due to his father’s situation. Lazarus emphasized that Menendez enjoys significant support as an incumbent with a strong base, positioning him as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the 8th district.
The internal poll, conducted via live telephone interviews in both English and Spanish, surveyed 400 registered Democrats from January 25 to February 1, with a margin of error of +/- 4.9%.
