New Jersey's 8th Congressional District

New Jersey's 8th Congressional District

Incumbent

Robert Menendez Jr.

Assumed office: January 3, 2023

New Jersey's 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Robert Menendez Jr. (D).

As of the 2020 Census, New Jersey representatives represented an average of 774,541 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 733,958 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Robert Menendez Jr. (D) and Richard Barilla (Independent) are running in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Robert Menendez Jr. (D)
		Richard Barilla (Independent)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Robert Menendez Jr. (D) defeated Anthony Valdes (R), Christian Robbins (G), Pablo Olivera (Labour Party), and Lea Sherman (Socialist Workers Party) in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Menendez Jr. (D)	59.2	116,434
		Anthony Valdes (R)	34.6	68,152
	Submit photo	Christian Robbins (G)	2.8	5,465
		Pablo Olivera (Labour Party)	2.2	4,295
	Submit photo	Lea Sherman (Socialist Workers Party)	1.2	2,419

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 196,765
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Robert Menendez Jr. (D) defeated Ravinder Bhalla (D) and Kyle Jasey (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Menendez Jr.	52.0	22,465
		Ravinder Bhalla	37.5	16,218
		Kyle Jasey	10.5	4,528

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,211
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Anthony Valdes (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Anthony Valdes	100.0	4,905

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,905
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dario Duffe (R)

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Menendez Jr. (D)	72.9	70,837
	Submit photo	Marcos Arroyo (R)	24.2	23,540
	Submit photo	Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party)	0.9	894
		Dan Delaney (L)	0.7	687
		David W. Cook (Other)	0.7	647
		Pablo Olivera (Labour Party)	0.4	361
	Submit photo	John Salierno (Truth and Merit)	0.2	226

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,192
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Robert Menendez Jr. (D) defeated David Ocampo Grajales (D) and Ane Roseborough-Eberhard (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Menendez Jr.	83.0	26,490
		David Ocampo Grajales	11.7	3,749
		Ane Roseborough-Eberhard	5.2	1,668

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,907
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Eugene Mazo (D)
• Ricardo Luis Rojas (D)
• Brian Varela (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Marcos Arroyo (R) defeated Ana Rivera (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Marcos Arroyo	100.0	3,127
		Ana Rivera (Write-in)	0.0	0

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,127
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Albio Sires (D) defeated Jason Mushnick (R) and Dan Delaney (L) in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Albio Sires (D)	74.0	176,758
		Jason Mushnick (R)	24.6	58,686
		Dan Delaney (L)	1.4	3,329

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 238,773
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kaylin Guzman (Independent)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Albio Sires (D) defeated Hector Oseguera (D) and Will Sheehan (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on July 7, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Albio Sires	70.3	47,814
		Hector Oseguera	27.3	18,557
		Will Sheehan	2.4	1,612

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,983
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Jason Mushnick (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on July 7, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Mushnick	100.0	5,899

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,899
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• David Winkler (R)

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Albio Sires (D) defeated John Muniz (R), Mahmoud Mahmoud (New Way Forward Party), and Dan Delaney (L) in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Albio Sires (D)	78.1	119,881
	Submit photo	John Muniz (R)	18.7	28,725
		Mahmoud Mahmoud (New Way Forward Party)	2.4	3,658
		Dan Delaney (L)	0.8	1,191

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 153,455
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

Incumbent Albio Sires (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Albio Sires	100.0	31,583

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 31,583
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8

John Muniz (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 8 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	John Muniz	100.0	3,052

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 3,052
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Albio Sires (D) defeated Agha Khan (R), Dan Delaney (L), and Pablo Olivera (Wake Up America) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Sires defeated Eloy Delgado in the Democratic primary on June 7, 2016. Sires won re-election in the November 8 election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Albio Sires Incumbent	77%	134,733
	Republican	Agha Khan	18.5%	32,337
	Wake Up America	Pablo Olivera	2.5%	4,381
	Libertarian	Dan Delaney	2%	3,438
Total Votes				174,889
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Albio Sires Incumbent	86.9%	45,988
Eloy Delgado	13.1%	6,933
Total Votes		52,921
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

2014

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 8th Congressional District of New Jersey held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Albio Sires (D) defeated Jude Anthony Tiscornia (R), Pablo Olivera ("Wake Up USA"), Herbert Shaw ("Politicians Are Crooks") and Robert Thorne ("911 Truth Needed") in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Albio Sires Incumbent	77.4%	61,510
	Republican	Jude Anthony Tiscornia	19%	15,141
	Wake Up USA	Pablo Olivera	1.3%	1,022
	Politicians Are Crooks	Herbert Shaw	1.5%	1,192
	911 Truth Needed	Robert Thorne	0.8%	653
Total Votes				79,518
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

2012

See also: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 8th Congressional District of New Jersey held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent from the 13th District, Albio Sires won the election in the district.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Albio Sires Incumbent	78%	130,853
	Republican	Maria Karczewski	18.9%	31,763
	Independent	Stephen Deluca	1%	1,710
	Independent	Pablo Olivera	1%	1,625
	Independent	Herbert Shaw	1.1%	1,839
Total Votes				167,790
Source: New Jersey Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Roland Straten (R) and Raymond Giangrasso (Independent) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	62.7%	88,478
	Republican	Roland Straten	36.1%	51,023
	Independent	Raymond Giangrasso	1.2%	1,707
Total Votes				141,208

2008
On November 4, 2008, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Roland Straten (R) and Derek DeMarco (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	71.1%	159,279
	Republican	Roland Straten	28.2%	63,107
	Libertarian	Derek DeMarco	0.7%	1,600
Total Votes				223,986

2006
On November 7, 2006, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jose M. Sandoval (R) and Lou Jasikoff (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	70.9%	97,568
	Republican	Jose M. Sandoval	28.4%	39,053
	Libertarian	Lou Jasikoff	0.7%	1,018
Total Votes				137,639

2004
On November 2, 2004, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated George Ajjan (R) and Joseph A. Fortunato (Independent/Green) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	69.5%	152,001
	Republican	George Ajjan	28.7%	62,747
	Independent/Green	Joseph A. Fortunato	1.9%	4,072
Total Votes				218,820

2002
On November 5, 2002, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jared Silverman (R) and Joseph A. Fortunato (Independent/Green) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	66.8%	88,101
	Republican	Jared Silverman	30.6%	40,318
	Independent/Green	Joseph A. Fortunato	2.6%	3,400
Total Votes				131,819

2000
On November 7, 2000, Bill Pascrell won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Anthony Fusco, Jr. (R), Joseph A. Fortunato (I) and Viji Sargis (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 8 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell incumbent	67%	134,074
	Republican	Anthony Fusco, Jr.	30.3%	60,606
	Independent	Joseph A. Fortunato	2.2%	4,469
	Independent	Viji Sargis	0.5%	983
Total Votes				200,132

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2020 census

The New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission enacted a new congressional map on December 22, 2021. This map took effect for New Jersey's 2022 congressional elections. The commission voted 7-6 to approve the Democratic map proposal, with all six Democratic members and the tiebreaker, former New Jersey Supreme Court Judge John Wallace voting to approve. All six Republican members of the commission voted against the map.

How does redistricting in New Jersey work? In New Jersey, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by two distinct politician commissions. The congressional redistricting commission comprises the following 13 members:

1. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature appoint two commissioners a piece (for a total of eight members).
2. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint two members to the commission (for a total of four members). Commissioners appointed by the political parties cannot be members of Congress or congressional employees.
3. The first 12 commissioners appoint the last member. This member cannot have held public office in the state within the previous five-year period. If the first 12 commissioners cannot agree on an appointment, they must submit two names to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court must then appoint the final commissioner.

If the congressional redistricting commission fails to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, it must submit two plans to the state Supreme Court, which must in turn select from those two plans a final map.

The state legislative redistricting commission comprises 10 members. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission. In the event that this commission is unable to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, the state Supreme Court may appoint a tie-breaking member.

State law requires that state legislative districts meet the following criteria:

1. Districts must be contiguous.
2. Districts "must be as nearly compact as possible."
3. Municipalities "must be kept intact, except where otherwise required by law."

There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2010 census

In 2011, the New Jersey State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+15. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 15 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 8th the 90th most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 8th the 56th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 72.1%-26.8%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 8th the 56th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 72.1% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 26.8%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+27. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 27 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 8th Congressional District the 36th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.94. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.94 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in New Jersey
• New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2024
• New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2022
• New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2020
• New Jersey's 8th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 8

Footnotes

[show]

New Jersey's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Cory Booker (D)

Andrew Kim (D)

Representatives

District 1

Donald Norcross (D)

District 2

Jeff Van Drew (R)

District 3

Herbert Conaway (D)

District 4

Chris Smith (R)

District 5

Josh Gottheimer (D)

District 6

Frank Pallone (D)

District 7

Thomas Kean (R)

District 8

Robert Menendez (D)

District 9

Nellie Pou (D)

District 10

LaMonica McIver (D)

District 11

Vacant

District 12

Bonnie Coleman (D)

Democratic Party (10)

Republican Party (3)

Vacancies (1)