Ali-Commissioned Poll Shows Menendez Below Majority in Hudson County Congressional Race

A poll commissioned by the Mussab Ali campaign shows incumbent Rep. Rob Menendez leading in a head-to-head matchup but below majority support, with 31 percent of likely voters still undecided less than two months before the June 2 primary.

The Center for Strategic Politics surveyed 416 likely Democratic primary voters in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District from April 11-16. Menendez led Ali 42 percent to 27 percent, with 31 percent undecided. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.8 percent.

“When you’re an incumbent, you should be at 60 to 70 percent at the top line,” Ali told HudPost. “Sitting at 42 percent means 58 percent of voters are looking at something different.”

The poll also tested an informed ballot, presenting voters with positive and negative biographical information about both candidates before asking their preference again. Under that format, Ali led 43 percent to 33 percent.

When asked by HudPost how he intends to get his message out despite being significantly outraised, Ali said the informed ballot results speak for themselves. “More people who hear about us vote for us,” he said. “What matters more is the lack of coverage on this race.”

Ali pushed back on comparisons to 2024, when Bhalla led in commissioned polls before Menendez defeated him 54 percent to 34 percent. “Ravi’s campaign was focused on Bob Menendez Sr.,” Ali said. “My campaign has nothing to do with that. It has to do with Rob Menendez Jr. being a corporate Democrat who holds no town halls and has made no real policy promises.”

The poll also measured voter sentiment on several policy issues. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they want to end or reduce U.S. military aid to Israel. Forty-nine percent said an AIPAC endorsement makes them less likely to support a candidate. Sixty-four percent said contributions from health insurance or pharmaceutical industries make them less likely to vote for a candidate.

The primary is June 2, 2026. The voter registration deadline is May 12. Menendez’s office declined to comment.

New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District includes Bayonne, East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City (in part), Kearny (in part), North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York.