Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw clash over abortion and immigration in New Jersey Senate debate

NUTLEY, NJ (AP) — Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw clashed over abortion and immigration Sunday in their first debate for New Jersey's Senate seat that opened this year Conviction of Bob Menendez on bribery allegations and resignation.

Kim, a three-term representative from the 3rd District, criticized Bashaw for his support of former President Donald Trump and expressed skepticism about Bashaw's position as an abortion rights supporter. Bashaw, a hotel developer from southern New Jersey and a first-time candidate, tried to portray himself as a moderate and Kim as a Washington insider.

The debate briefly faltered at the beginning when Bashaw stopped speaking mid-sentence and stared motionless into space. He was helped off the stage and left the room for about 10 minutes.

“This issue of affordability was on my mind so much that I realized I hadn’t eaten that much today,” Bashaw said when he returned. “That’s why I appreciate your indulgence.”

One of the most visible discussions was the issue of abortion. Both candidates support abortion rights, but Bashaw said he supports the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended Roe vs. Wade. New Jersey has enshrined abortion protections in state law.

“I fundamentally have a problem with using the term 'pro-choice' to describe myself when you've talked about the importance of the Dobbs decision being decided correctly,” Kim said.

He also criticized Bashaw for his support of Trump, who has twice lost New Jersey's electoral votes.

“The only endorsement he has made is for Donald Trump to be president of the United States,” Kim said. “And I think we get a sense of his judgment from that.”

Bashaw, who defeated a Trump-backed rival in the primary, did not specifically defend the former president.

“Elections are binary choices, and we all have to make a decision,” he said.

He promoted his own candidacy based on his credentials as a businessman and resisted being labeled a traditional Republican by pointing out that he supported abortion rights and was a married gay man.

“I’m pro-choice, Congressman. I’m for freedom at home,” Bashaw said. “I don’t think the government should tell me who I can marry. I don’t think it should tell a woman what she can do with her reproductive health choices.”

Bashaw repeatedly emphasized immigration, saying it was “a crisis in New Jersey” and was putting a strain on the state.

Reflecting on how Democratic New Jersey has been in Senate elections that Republicans haven't won in more than five decades, Bashaw addressed his closing remarks to the women and mothers of New Jersey.

“I am a moderate, common sense person who will work to be a voice for New Jersey,” he said.

Kim declared his candidacy a day after Menendez was indicted last year, saying it was time for the state to turn the tide on the longtime lawmaker's case. It looked like the Democratic primary would be contentious for first lady in a state the party desperately needs to win Tammy Murphy entered the race and won the support of influential party leaders.

But Kim objected to the state's unique electoral system, which is widely seen as favoring candidates backed by party leaders. A federal judge sided with Kim in his lawsuit and put the system on hold for this election. Murphy dropped out of the race, saying she wanted to avoid a divisive primary and thereby clear a clear path for Kim's nomination.

Kim first won the House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur. He gained national attention after the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, when he was photographed picking up trash inside the building.

Bashaw won a contested primary in June, defeating a Trump-backed opponent. The hotel developer from Cape May is running for office for the first time.

Menendez was convicted this summer of accepting bribes in the form of gold and cash from three New Jersey businessmen and acting as an Egyptian government agent. He has promised to appeal the verdict.

He resigned in August, capping a career in politics that spanned about five decades. Democratic Governor Phil Murphy appointed George Helmy as interim senator. Helmy said he would resign after the election is certified so Murphy can appoint whoever wins the election to the seat for the remainder of Menendez's term, which expires in January.