Robert Menendez Jr. Wins NJ-8 Congress Seat, AP Says

Editor's note: This story has been updated as of 10:16 p.m.

NEW JERSEY — It's after 8 p.m. and the polls are closed in the general election.

The Associated Press declared Democrat Robert Menendez Jr. as the winner with only 8.97 percent of the precincts reporting. The vote tallies remain unofficial until they are certified later by the Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union County clerk offices.

Menendez Jr. is running against Republican Marcos Arroyo for the District 8 seat, which was left vacant after Rep. Albio Sires announced he will retire from Congress after this term.

Rep. Sires is running to become mayor of West New York in 2023, according to New Jersey Globe. He has served the district since 2006. Sires endorsed Robert Menendez Jr., the son of New Jersey's senior U.S. Senator — Bob Menendez.

Third-party candidates also on the ballot this year include Pablo Olivera, Dan Delaney, David W. Cook, Joanne Kuniansky and John Salierno.

Here is the current tally, according to the Associated Press:

• Menendez Jr. (D): 38,792
• Arroyo (R): 10,954
• Olivera: 200
• Delaney: 390
• Cook: 348
• Kuniansky: 578
• Salierno: 130