8th District congressional candidate Mussab Ali is asserting that U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) copied his stance to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) is rebuffing.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“When we launched this campaign, we were told our platform was too bold and too risky. Seven days later, the incumbent now agrees with one of our core positions. That tells you something about where the district is and who’s setting the agenda,” Ali said in a statement.

“Anyone can adopt a position once it feels safe. Leadership is taking it when it’s hard, before the pressure builds, and standing by it even when it costs you something.”

His remarks come after Menendez made the call to abolish ICE during a virtual Town Hall last night, which he co-hosted with Watson Coleman and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10), as HCV first reported, both who have endorsed him for re-election.

He has made similar calls in the past week or so.

“Abolishing ICE is one of five promises we made to voters. If the congressman now agrees on this, I hope he’ll join us on the rest. That means opposing ICE funding in practice, supporting universal healthcare, standing up to corporate power, and choosing diplomacy over permanent war,” Ali continued.

“This race isn’t about who says the right thing last. It’s about who’s willing to lead first, and who they’re really accountable to when it counts.”

The challenger also criticized the incumbent for taking more corporate PAC money than individual donors in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Watson Coleman, who joined Menendez and McIver in making a surprise visit to an ICE detention center exactly one year ago, said Ali has to resort to fabrications since he can’t hold a candle to her colleague’s track record on this issue.

“Mussab Ali has to lie about Rob’s record because his own record on fighting ICE doesn’t come close,” she declared.

“Rob has been a true progressive and has always been at the forefront on these issues–we were all together that day at Delaney Hall when we faced down numerous armed HSI and ICE agents, and he’s been with me every day fighting against this administration and against ICE standing up for what’s right. Rob has always been for protecting our communities while Mussab has always been for himself.”

Ali responded that as recently as the last election cycle, 2024, Menendez described himself as a moderate, not a progressive.

“In fact, when AIPAC endorsed him in 2024, he was listed simply as ‘pro-Israel,’ not as a progressive candidate, a distinction they make explicitly when it applies,” he stated.

“Progressivism isn’t about showing up to one moment. It’s about consistently taking positions early, voting accordingly, and refusing corporate PAC influence. That’s the standard voters deserve to apply in this race.”

The 8th Congressional District Democratic primary is set for June 2nd and is appears that Ali and Menendez are poised for a head-to-head matchup for the blue party.