Overview

Robert Jacobsen Menendez Jr. was born July 12, 1985, in Englewood, New Jersey, and raised in Union City. He graduated from The Hudson School in Hoboken and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008. Menendez received a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in 2011, where he served as president of the Student Bar Association and was selected as a Governor's Executive Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Prior to serving in Congress, Menendez worked as an attorney at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, where he practiced business law and managed pro bono cases through the firm's Center for the Public Interest. In 2021, he was appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, becoming the first Latino from New Jersey and the first millennial to serve on the board. He served as Chair of the Governance and Ethics Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee until his resignation in January 2023.

In December 2021, incumbent Representative Albio Sires announced his retirement and endorsed Menendez to succeed him. Menendez won the Democratic primary with 83.6% of the vote and defeated Republican Marcos Arroyo in the general election with 73.6% of the vote. He was re-elected in November 2024 with 59.2% of the vote, defeating Republican Anthony Valdes. The district encompasses all of Hudson County, the East and North Wards of Newark in Essex County, and the City of Elizabeth in Union County.

Political Career

Attorney, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Commissioner, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (2021 - 2023)

U.S. Representative, NJ-08 (2023-present)

Re-elected to U.S. House: 2024

Key Policy Areas

Transportation and infrastructure (Gateway Program, mass transit investment)

Affordable housing and tenant rights

Immigration and detention oversight

Energy and commerce (environment, technology, communications)

Reproductive rights and health care access

SALT deduction restoration

Notable Actions / Initiatives

As a freshman representative, was elected by the Democratic freshman class to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee

Appointed as Regional Whip for the House Democratic Caucus, assisting in vote tracking and legislative strategy

Conducted oversight visit to Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark in May 2025 alongside other members of Congress

Secured seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the 119th Congress after a competitive election among Democratic members

Served as Vice Chair for Northeast for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for the 2026 cycle

Education

The Hudson School, Hoboken

B.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008)

J.D., Rutgers Law School (2011)

Governor's Executive Fellow, Eagleton Institute of Politics

Personal

Birth date: July 12, 1985

Residence: Jersey City, New Jersey

Occupation: Attorney

Family: Son of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez