A day later, Andy Kim, a little-known Democratic congressman from southern New Jersey, gathered his top advisers for a conference call.
Everyone present assumed that Mr. Kim would announce his intention to challenge Mr. Menendez for his Senate seat.
And Mr. Kim would need the blessing of political bosses across the state, an especially urgent task in New Jersey, where local party leaders have held enormous sway over primary elections for generations.
“You don’t upset a two-term incumbent by flying by the seat of your pants,” Mr. Carroll said.
Mr. Kim listened quietly.
Persons:
Robert Menendez, Andy Kim, Kim, Menendez, Zack Carroll, Kim’s, Mr, Carroll
Organizations:
Benz, Congress
Locations:
New Jersey