Andy Kim

Andy Kim
Born	Andrew Kim 12 7, 1982
Birthplace	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, diplomat
Known for	First Korean-American U.S. Senator; successful challenge to New Jersey's "county line" ballot system
Education	University of Chicago (BA) Magdalen College, Oxford (MPhil, DPhil)
Children	2
Website	[https://www.kim.senate.gov/ Official site]

Andrew Kim (born July 12, 1982), known professionally as Andy Kim, is an American politician and former diplomat serving as the junior United States senator from New Jersey since December 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, Kim previously represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2024. Before entering elected politics, Kim worked as a civilian advisor at the United States Department of State and served on the National Security Council during the Obama administration, where his portfolio included counterterrorism and policy in Afghanistan. Kim first won election to Congress in 2018 by defeating incumbent Republican Tom MacArthur, a result that contributed to the broader Democratic gains in that year's midterm elections. In September 2023, amid federal corruption and bribery charges against incumbent senator Bob Menendez, Kim announced his candidacy for the 2024 U.S. Senate race. His campaign gained national attention when he successfully petitioned to abolish New Jersey's controversial "county line" primary ballot system, which had long favored party-endorsed candidates. Kim won the Democratic primary and subsequently the general election, becoming the first Korean-American elected to the United States Senate and the first Asian-American senator from New Jersey.

Early Life

Andrew Kim was born on July 12, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is of Korean-American heritage. Kim grew up in southern New Jersey, where he attended public schools and developed an early interest in public service and international affairs. Details regarding his parents and family background during his upbringing in New Jersey have been documented in various campaign profiles, which noted his roots in the communities he would later represent in Congress.

Kim's path from the suburbs of New Jersey to the corridors of national security policy was shaped by his academic pursues and his commitment to understanding global conflicts. A 2018 profile in The New Statesman described Kim as a 36-year-old former Obama aide who had built a career around national security before turning to electoral politics.

Education

Kim attended Deep Springs College, a small, selective two-year institution in California's Deep Springs Valley. He then transferred to the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 2004, Kim was named a Rhodes Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic awards for study at the University of Oxford. At Oxford, he studied at Magdalen College, where he earned both a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). His doctoral studies focused on international relations and security policy, providing the academic foundation for his subsequent career in diplomacy and national security.

Career

National Security and Diplomatic Service

Following the completion of his studies at Oxford, Kim entered the field of national security and diplomacy. He served as a civilian advisor at the United States Department of State, working in Afghanistan in a role that involved advising military commanders and engaging with local governance structures. His experience in Afghanistan gave him direct exposure to counterinsurgency operations and the complexities of American foreign policy in conflict zones.

During the Obama administration, Kim served on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where his responsibilities included working on policy related to ISIS and broader counterterrorism strategy. His work in the executive branch brought him into close contact with senior policymakers and deepened his understanding of the intersection between national security and domestic policy.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In 2017, Kim announced his candidacy for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, launching a bid against the Republican incumbent, Tom MacArthur. MacArthur, a two-term congressman, had drawn criticism from Democrats for his role in crafting the MacArthur Amendment, which modified the American Health Care Act of 2017 and was seen as weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Kim's campaign centered on defending the Affordable Care Act and addressing health care costs, themes that resonated in the politically competitive district spanning portions of Burlington and Ocean counties.

The race attracted national attention and significant financial investment from both parties. Former Vice President Joe Biden campaigned with Kim in the district in October 2018, underscoring the importance national Democrats placed on the contest. On election night, the race was too close to call, with Kim holding a narrow lead that would not be finalized until provisional and mail-in ballots were counted in the following days. The Associated Press declared Kim the winner on November 14, 2018.

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–2024)

Kim was sworn in as a member of the 116th United States Congress on January 3, 2019. Early in his tenure, he secured a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, a assignment that aligned with his background in national security and defense policy.

Speakership Vote

Prior to his swearing-in, Kim initially indicated that he would not support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House, positioning himself as an independent-minded freshman in a swing district. However, Kim reversed his position and voted for Pelosi as Speaker when the full House vote took place on January 3, 2019.

Legislative Work

Kim's first piece of legislation, introduced in February 2019, focused on funding state-based health care sites, reflecting his campaign emphasis on expanding access to health care in his district. In May 2019, a health care bill sponsored by Kim was approved by the full House of Representatives, an early legislative achievement for the freshman congressman.

Kim was also involved in debates over Congressional pay. In June 2019, reporting indicated that Democrats were re-evaluating plans to increase lawmakers' salaries, a discussion in which Kim participated as a member representing a competitive district where fiscal issues were salient to voters.

COVID-19 Oversight

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Kim was named to a new House panel established to review the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The appointment placed him in a position to oversee the distribution of relief funds and the implementation of public health measures.

Subsequent Elections

Kim represented a competitive district and faced challenges from Republican opponents in subsequent election cycles. The New Jersey Globe reported that Republican candidate David Richter switched districts to run against Kim, indicating the level of Republican interest in recapturing the seat. Kim successfully defended his seat in subsequent elections, serving three terms in the House before his election to the Senate in 2024.

2024 Senate Campaign

In September 2023, Kim announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat held by Bob Menendez, who was facing federal corruption and bribery charges. Kim's entry into the race was notable for his challenge to New Jersey's established Democratic Party apparatus and the state's controversial "county line" ballot system.

The county line system, unique to New Jersey, allowed party-endorsed candidates to appear on a preferred ballot line alongside other endorsed candidates, while challengers were placed in less visible positions on the ballot. Kim filed a legal challenge to this system, arguing that it unfairly advantaged establishment-backed candidates. The legal effort proved successful, and the county line ballot design was abolished, a development that was seen as a significant reform to the state's electoral process.

Kim went on to win the Democratic primary and subsequently the 2024 general election. He was sworn in as the junior United States senator from New Jersey on December 8, 2024, succeeding George Helmy, who had been appointed to serve as an interim senator. Kim serves alongside senior senator Cory Booker.

U.S. Senate (2024–present)

Since taking office in the Senate, Kim has maintained an active schedule of constituent engagement and policy advocacy. In December 2025, the New Jersey Monitor reported on Kim's visit to the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, where he received a contentious reception from state senator James Beach, a fellow Democrat.

In February 2026, Kim held a town hall meeting at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he addressed a range of topics including federal education funding for Asbury Park students and ICE operations. At the event, Kim was joined by guest speaker Kay Harris, president of the Asbury Park Museum. During the same event, Kim stated that the United States was being viewed by its allies as an "unreliable nation," citing conversations with foreign officials about shifting perceptions of American dependability.

Kim has spoken publicly about tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, telling CNN in February 2026 that the administration should "give back" the approximately $134 billion raised under the tariff regime.

Also in February 2026, Kim participated in a community walk in Bloomfield, New Jersey, organized by Make the Road NJ, which drew nearly 100 participants. The event was organized to protest ICE enforcement actions and express solidarity with immigrant communities. Kim was joined by Analilia Mejia and other community leaders at the event.

Personal Life

Kim resides in New Jersey with his family. He and his wife have two children. Kim has spoken publicly about his Korean-American heritage and its influence on his approach to public service. His personal connection to the communities he represents in southern New Jersey has been a recurring theme throughout his political career, dating back to his first congressional campaign in 2018.

Recognition

Kim's election to the United States Senate in 2024 was a historic milestone. He became the first Korean-American to serve in the United States Senate and the first Asian-American senator from the state of New Jersey. His achievement was noted in media coverage as part of a broader trend of increasing diversity in American political representation.

Earlier in his career, Kim's selection as a Rhodes Scholar in 2004 while an undergraduate at the University of Chicago was a significant academic honor.

Kim's successful legal challenge to New Jersey's county line ballot system was recognized as a significant contribution to electoral reform in the state, with implications for the conduct of primary elections going forward. The ruling effectively restructured how candidates appear on primary ballots throughout New Jersey, eliminating a system that had been in place for decades and that critics had argued disproportionately benefited party-endorsed candidates at the expense of challengers.

His 2018 victory over Tom MacArthur was one of the closely watched races of the midterm election cycle and contributed to the Democratic majority in the 116th United States Congress. Kim's profile as a national security professional who transitioned to elected office drew media coverage from outlets including the New Statesman, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Observer.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Kim is in the early stages of his Senate tenure, and the full scope of his legislative impact in the upper chamber remains to be determined. However, several aspects of his career have already established a lasting mark on New Jersey and American politics.

Kim's legal challenge to the county line ballot system resulted in structural reform to New Jersey's primary election process. The county line had been a feature of the state's political landscape for generations, and its elimination altered the dynamics of primary elections across the state. The reform was seen as reducing the power of county party organizations over candidate selection, potentially enabling more competitive primaries in future election cycles.

His historic election as the first Korean-American senator placed Kim in a position of visibility within the Korean-American community and the broader Asian-American political landscape. His path from diplomatic service to Congress to the Senate traced an arc that highlighted the role of foreign policy expertise in domestic politics, particularly during a period of significant debate over America's international commitments and relationships.

Kim's emphasis on constituent engagement, including regular town hall meetings and community events, has been a consistent feature of his political approach from his earliest days in the House through his Senate service. His February 2026 town halls and community walks reflect a governing style that prioritizes direct interaction with voters on issues ranging from education funding and health care to immigration enforcement and trade policy.