Bashaw Concedes NJ Senate Race To Kim

This story was last updated at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday.

NEW JERSEY — Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw has conceded to Democratic Rep. Andy Kim in the race to replace Bob Menendez as U.S. Senator from New Jersey.

As of the latest unofficial tally, Kim has 1,921,908 votes (53.0 percent) and Bashaw has 1,621,908 (44.7 percent), with 84 percent of votes counted. The Associated Press called the race shortly after 8 p.m.

The three-term congressman was one of several candidates running to replace Menendez, who had an office in Newark for much of his tenure and resigned in August after being convicted in a federal bribery trial. Kim will become the first Korean-American in the U.S. Senate.

"As a son of immigrants, a public school kid, I never could’ve imagined I’d get to serve as a U.S. Senator," Kim said in a social media post Tuesday night. "I’m deeply humbled and grateful to NJ and for everyone who got us here."

In June's primary election, Kim captured the Democrat nomination and South Jersey entrepreneur Bashaw earned the Republican nod.

Independent and third-party candidates included Christina Khalil (Green Party), Kenneth Kaplan (Libertarian Party), Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party), and Patricia Mooneyham (Independent).

Gov. Phil Murphy announced that George Helmy, his former chief of staff, would be Menendez’s interim replacement in the U.S. Senate until the term begins for the winner of the general election on Nov. 5.

See Related: Murphy Picks Temp Replacement For Bob Menendez In New Jersey

Meanwhile, Bashaw – who grew up in Camden County and has heavy ties to Cape May – launched a Labor Day weekend campaign blitz that touched Scotch Plains, Wayne Township, Point Pleasant Beach and South Plainfield. He was also in Middlesex County for the annual Cranbury Day.

• See Related: NJ Libertarians Back 8 Congress Candidates In 2024, Including Senate