Thirteen weekly newspapers support Andy Kim

An influential chain of thirteen weekly print newspapers with significant readerships in Essex, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties has endorsed Andy Kim for U.S. Senate and Kamala Harris for president.

In the race for Congress, the New Jersey Hills Media Group newspaper chain is supporting three incumbents: Republican Tom Kean., Jr. (R-Westfield) in the 7th, Democrat LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) in the 10th and Democrat Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) in the 11th.

The Bernardsville News, Chatham Courier, Echoes-Sentinel, Florham Park Eagle, Hanover Eagle, Madison Eagle, Morris News Bee, Hunterdon Review, Mount Olive Chronicle, Observer-Tribune, The Progress, Roxbury Register and the West Morris Reporter are operated by the Non-Profit Corporation for New Jersey Local Media.

“It's hard to find a more striking contrast to 'Gold Bar Bob' Menendez than the squeaky-clean Kim, whose biggest moment in the national spotlight was a photo showing him on his knees, clearing rubble in the Capitol Rotunda after the January attack sweeps up. 6-Invasion by Supporters of Former President Trump,” the editorial said. “As a member of Congress, Kim has been a mainstream Democrat and a reliable voice for President Biden's agenda, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan. At just 42 years old, he is young enough to build a higher profile in the Senate to protect New Jersey's interests in the years to come. We are pushing for the election of Andy Kim to the U.S. Senate.”

The newspapers praised Kim and his Republican opponent, Curtis Bashaw, for their “respectful, issue-focused campaign, which is refreshing in this time of extreme partisanship and a testament to the integrity and decency of both candidates.”

The newspaper chain said Donald Trump “has tapped into the legitimate economic fears and concerns of many Americans, but he has also stoked the politics of racism, nativism and resentment more than any American leader since Alabama Gov. George Wallace.”

“We can have confidence that Kamala Harris will not kill the patient,” the editorial said. “We can’t say the same about Donald Trump.”

The decision to support was made by the editor-in-chief without a full editorial board being present.