The urban 8th Congressional District encompasses parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Part of Newark in Essex County is in the district. In Hudson County, Bayonne, East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and West New York, as well as parts of Jersey City and Kearny, are in the district. Elizabeth in Union County is also in the district.
Democrats comprise the majority of registered voters, 51% of all. About 13% of voters are Republicans and most of the rest are unaffiliated.
The incumbent Democrat is two-term Rep. Robert J. Menendez. He has been endorsed by the party organizations in all three counties. He faces a challenge from Mussab Ali, the former president of the Jersey City Board of Education, whose ballot slogan is “Choose Courage.”
No Republicans filed for their party’s nomination.
Editor’s note: All candidates for the congressional primary are being contacted for the NJ Decides 2026 voting guide. Check back to see who responded and any answers provided.
