Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said he will challenge entrenched "machine" politics in New Jersey by supporting primary challengers to longtime incumbents, specifically naming Sen. James Beach as a 2027 target. He cited an incident at a state senate hearing—when a chairman allegedly told a constituent, "I don't care about you"—as illustrative of officials who are insufficiently accountable. Kim's move has been embraced by David Hogg's super PAC, Leaders We Deserve, and reflects a broader intra-party fight between progressive insurgents and the Democratic establishment.
Sen. Andy Kim Vows to Take On New Jersey’s Democratic 'Machine,' Backs Primary Challenge to Sen. James Beach
Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., arrives on the Senate subway in the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) announced this week that he will actively oppose what he calls entrenched "machine" politics within the New Jersey Democratic Party, pledging to support primary challengers to longtime incumbents he says prioritize special interests over constituents. Kim specifically named state Sen. James Beach as a potential 2027 target and said he will organize and help recruit challengers to officials who resist reform.
What Prompted the Move
Kim said his decision was spurred by a recent state senate committee hearing in which, he says, a chairman responded to a constituent by saying, "I don't care about you." Kim described that exchange as emblematic of a broader problem: officials who do not feel beholden to voters and who protect entrenched interests rather than serving the public.
Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg delivered remarks to Michigan State University students while protesting gun violence in Lansing, Michigan, on Feb. 20, 2023.
Plans and Promises
"We need leaders who represent the people, not powerful interests; and we need a grassroots army to build an anti-corruption movement," Kim said in a video announcement. He vowed to "step up" across New Jersey to back primary bids against incumbents he views as defending the political machine and blocking efforts to fight corruption.
Responses and Context
Sen. James Beach, a state senator since 2009, told The New Jersey Globe he plans to seek re-election in 2027 and welcomed any challengers, defending his record while accusing Kim of trying to become a "party boss." Beach did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and then-candidate Zohran Mamdani carry a banner across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, ahead of Election Day.
Kim's announcement aligns with a recent intraparty effort led by former DNC vice chair David Hogg and his super PAC, Leaders We Deserve, which has pledged to spend millions to primary older incumbents it views as complacent. Hogg quickly praised Kim's initiative and offered support.
National Trend
The dispute echoes a broader nationwide debate within the Democratic Party between progressive, anti-establishment activists and the party's long-standing leadership. Examples cited include Zohran Mamdani's upset mayoral victory in New York City, contested races for Rep. Nancy Pelosi's seat, and recent primary campaigns such as Brad Lander's challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman.
Kim: "Sometimes that means standing up against my own party."
Kim urged constituents to get involved in the political process, calling for grassroots organizing to hold elected officials accountable as Democrats prepare for the 2026 midterms.
