New Jersey
Race to watch: New Jersey's 8th Congressional District
Incumbent Rob Menendez
Born and raised in Hudson County, Robert Menendez was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. His platform is strengthening families and serving the community. On his website, Menendez said he’s working to address the pressures families face because of the increasing costs of housing, energy and food. He introduced the Working Families Task Force Act and is co-sponsoring the Raise the Wage Act of 2023, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2027.
Menendez said he also supports the investment in capital improvement projects to build affordable housing with mass transit access.
Additionally, he wants to expand access to affordable health care by lowering prescription drug prices, supporting community health centers and strengthening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Democrat Ravi Bhalla
Opposing Menendez is Ravi Bhalla, the mayor of Hoboken, born and raised in New Jersey after his parents moved from India.
His website states Bhalla has dedicated his life to advocating for justice, battling discrimination and ensuring every New Jersey resident can pursue the American dream. As mayor of Hoboken, Bhalla said he’s worked to ensure that all who live or work in the community are treated fairly and that the most vulnerable residents are protected. He signed an ordinance establishing living wages for all building service workers and protections against displacement at any building that receives city subsidies.
He noted he has been a strong champion of organized labor and that, if elected to Congress, he will fight to pass the Protect the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act, to protect the right to form or join a union and ensure workers enjoy decent jobs, wages, benefits and working conditions. He said he would fight to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, create millions of living-wage union jobs, make the expanded child tax credit permanent, expand Social Security benefits for all and close the carried interest loophole so that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of taxes.
As a father of two, Bhalla said he’s experienced the child care crisis first-hand and will make addressing it one of his top priorities. Bhalla said he will fight to pass universal background checks when purchasing firearms, banning assault weapons and support the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of the hands of those who may harm themselves or others.
Democrat Kyle Jasey
Also in the race is Kyle Jasey, the CEO of Jasey Capital Group.
He was born and raised in New Jersey after his maternal grandfather’s family immigrated from Jamaica.
As a child, Jasey said he loved animals and “probably had more pets than anyone you’ve ever met.” He enjoyed fishing, exploring in the woods and playing sports.
Jasey was hospitalized with long COVID and now believes low-cost or free health care for all Americans should be a top priority. He supports access to safe and legal abortions; he said on his website that every individual deserves the autonomy to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Another top priority for Jasey is revitalizing education, and he stressed the importance of investing in public schools. He also supports efforts to ensure prisons equip inmates with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful reintegration into society. Jasey said effective rehabilitation and education in prisons are key to reducing high recidivism rates, which ultimately lead to inflated prison populations and escalating crime rates.
His mother, Mila Jasey, is a New Jersey assemblywoman.
The lone Republican, Anthony Valdes
In the Republican primary, Anthony Valdes is running unopposed.
A longtime resident of West New York, New Jersey, Valdes has described himself as a “public servant.” In a letter to the editor of the Hudson County View, Valdes said inflation is a major issue and noted the U.S. is now embroiled in international conflicts. He also expressed concern that the southern U.S. border “remains wide open and completely unsecured.”
A profession for Valdes was not immediately available, and he does not appear to have a campaign website. WHYY News reached out for more information.
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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It’s called Pork Roll, first off, and these are the 18 best restaurants and delis. and diners to get a PEC in the Garden State
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
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If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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