Andy Kim "Making History as the First Korean-American U.S. Senator in 120 Years of Immigration History"

Korean-American Andy Kim Challenges for U.S. Senate
Would Enter Senate One Year Earlier Than Obama
"Will Make History Beyond Korean-American as Asian American"

"If I become a U.S. Senator, I will be the first Korean American senator in the 120-year history of Korean immigration to the United States. I will also make new history as the first Asian American senator on the U.S. East Coast."

Andy Kim, U.S. Representative (Democrat, New Jersey), expressed his aspirations to run for the U.S. Senate at a fundraising event held on the 21st (local time) at the Korean American Voters Coalition (KAGC) office in Fort Lee, New Jersey. New York ? Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

Andy Kim, a Korean American U.S. Representative (Democrat, New Jersey) running for the U.S. Senate this November, expressed his aspirations on the 21st (local time) at a fundraising event held at the Korean American Voter Coalition (KAGC) office in Fort Lee, New Jersey, saying, "If elected senator, I will demonstrate the next-generation leadership that this country desperately needs."

He emphasized, "My story is not just a Korean American story but an Asian American story, and fundamentally, it will be an American story. I want to serve as a dedicated public official regardless of race or ethnicity."

Kim declared his Senate candidacy late last year and is considered a leading candidate likely to win the election scheduled for November 5. Senate terms last six years, with some seats up for election every two years; this year, 34 seats will be contested. Tammy Murphy, the incumbent governor’s wife who was competing for the New Jersey Senate seat, withdrew from the Democratic primary, bringing Kim closer to becoming the first Korean American senator. The New Jersey Senate seat has been held by Democratic candidates for the past 50 years.

Recalling his experience at the State Department, where he faced discrimination and prejudice such as being excluded from certain duties or subjected to background checks solely because he was Korean American, Kim said, "We faced questions about our loyalty and our place." He added, "By enabling a new generation of leaders to rise here in New Jersey, I hope the Asian American community across the country will do the same. This is about supporting our country. So, my Senate run is not just about me."

Kim stated, "If I am elected senator at 42, I will represent New Jersey and raise a strong national voice," adding, "I will address all kinds of issues through every vote, from the executive branch to the judiciary."

If his goal is achieved, he will enter the Senate at age 43, one year younger than former President Barack Obama, who was elected senator at 44 and inaugurated as the 44th U.S. president at 47, just four years later.

In response to Asia Economy’s question about his ultimate goal as a politician, Kim said, "I want to serve this country. Since I was young, I have had a passion for politics and public service, and that passion has led me down this path. My goal is not ambition but to participate in politics where I can be most authentic."

He also emphasized his political strength as grassroots democracy centered on voters. He said, "Politics is not just for the wealthy or those with networks. We need to enhance openness so that everyone, more voters, can participate in politics in various ways, and I intend to strengthen that."

Kim, a diplomatic and military expert who worked at the White House, also shared his views on U.S.-China relations.

He said, "The tension between the two most powerful countries in the world, the U.S. and China, will make the situation very complex and difficult for decades to come," but added, "However, like many of my colleagues, we should not view this situation solely as a new Cold War." Regarding the TikTok ban, he expressed opposition, saying, "If the U.S. Congress is going to take the very significant step of banning a single company’s operations in the U.S., that should be the last scenario."

Kim holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Oxford and is a diplomatic and security expert who has worked at the U.S. State Department, Department of Defense, and the White House. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district in 2018 and won a third term. At the end of last year, immediately after Senator Bob Menendez (Democrat, New Jersey) was indicted on bribery charges, Kim was the first to announce his Senate candidacy. He has pledged to break the hold of money politics and entrenched interests and return politics to the citizens, earning him recognition from mainstream U.S. media as having thrown a grenade into New Jersey’s political machine.