In the race for New Jersey’s Senate seat, Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw have participated in two lively debates so far.
The candidates discussed their differences on major issues like abortion, immigration, and the economy.
Their debates gave voters a chance to see how these candidates plan to address the future of New Jersey after Bob Menendez’s resignation.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the key points from their first two debates to help you see where each stands.
- Both candidates support abortion rights, but Bashaw praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which led to disagreement with Kim.
- Bashaw argued for tougher border security and criticized current immigration policies, while Kim called for more balanced reform with legal pathways.
- Kim advocated for corporate tax reforms to help middle- and lower-income families, while Bashaw focused on supporting small businesses to improve affordability in New Jersey.
Abortion Rights: A Major Difference in Views
The topic of abortion rights was a major issue in both debates, with each candidate expressing different views.
In the first debate, Curtis Bashaw, a pro-choice Republican, said he supports personal freedoms but also approved of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
He explained this by saying that it allows states to make their laws about abortion.
“I am pro-choice, congressman. I am for freedom in the home,” Bashaw said.
He also added that he supports the idea of letting states make their own decisions on abortion, like New Jersey, which has kept strong protections for abortion rights.
Andy Kim, on the other hand, clearly disagreed with Bashaw’s approval of the court’s decision.
Kim stated that he wants to protect abortion rights on a national level.
He pointed out his support for the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee the right to an abortion across the country.
“Bashaw agrees with the Dobbs decision that removed the constitutional protection for abortion, and I strongly disagree with that,” Kim said during the second debate.
This difference set the stage for a larger conversation about how both candidates see the role of government in private matters.
Immigration and Border Security
Immigration policy was a frequent topic in both debates, and the candidates took very different stances on how to handle the issue.
Bashaw focused on the need for stronger border security.
He argued that the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is a “crisis” for New Jersey and that federal immigration policies are causing more undocumented immigrants to enter the country, leading to increased costs for the state.
In the second debate, Bashaw said, “We should decouple border security from immigration policy,” meaning that securing the border should be treated separately from discussions about immigration laws.
Kim supported the idea of border security but argued that a more comprehensive approach is needed to fix the immigration system.
According to Kim, the U.S. has only 682 immigration judges to handle over 3 million pending cases—a problem he argues will take years to resolve without bipartisan solutions.
He believes there should be more legal pathways for immigrants, especially high-skilled workers who want to contribute to the economy.
“We have to take a serious, balanced approach to immigration,” Kim said during the second debate, also criticizing Republicans for turning immigration into a political issue.
This exchange showed the clear divide between Bashaw’s focus on strict security and Kim’s broader vision of reform.
Economic Issues
Both candidates agreed that affordability is a major issue for people in New Jersey, but they had different ideas about how to solve it.
In the first debate, Bashaw leaned on his experience as a businessman.
He argued that helping small businesses grow and reducing government interference is the best way to fix the economy.
He said, “I believe in unshackling businesses and letting them grow,” showing his belief that the private sector, not the government, is key to creating jobs and improving the state’s financial situation.
Kim, in contrast, advocated for progressive policies that support middle- and lower-income families.
He pushed for raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicare to include vision and dental coverage, and implementing fair tax policies for large corporations.
During the second debate, Kim also brought up the racial wealth gap in New Jersey, pointing out that there’s a $300,000 gap between white families and minority families, which he said could be addressed with targeted policies.
“Big corporations need to pay their fair share in taxes. The gap between the wealthiest and the rest of us continues to grow,” Kim said.
This discussion showed that Bashaw wants less government involvement in the economy, while Kim believes that targeted government programs are necessary to reduce inequality and help middle-class families.
What’s Next: Preparing for the Final Debate
With two debates completed, both candidates are now preparing for their final debate on October 22.
This upcoming debate will focus more on economic issues, social policies, and global matters.
Voters can expect Kim and Bashaw to present their strongest arguments in this important last meeting before Election Day.
As the race for New Jersey’s Senate seat heats up, these debates have given voters a clear view of each candidate’s position on key issues.
From protecting abortion rights to reforming immigration policies and addressing economic challenges, Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw have offered distinct choices for New Jersey’s future.
Stay tuned for more updates as the campaign moves forward, and the candidates get ready for their final debate.
