[4][5][6] While he never lost support from any major New Jersey officials, after a mistrial was declared in Senator Menendez's corruption trial, party figures across New Jersey lined up with public endorsements of his reelection bid, including the "full support" of Governor Phil Murphy.

[7] He formally declared his intention to run for reelection on March 28, 2018, alongside Governor Murphy and Senator Cory Booker.

[17] He began advertising on television two weeks later, attacking Menendez on the airwaves,[18] and was soon considered the presumptive nominee.

[19] His opponent, Brian Goldberg, attempted to connect himself to President Donald Trump and his supporters by inserting the president's abbreviated slogan, "MAGA", into his ballot slogans and aligning himself with other pro-Trump, anti-establishment candidates.

[22] ^Highest rating given Kean vs. Andrews Codey vs. Kyrillos Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Menendez won six of 12 congressional districts.