Andy Kim’s Political Journey: From Cleanup to Senate Frontrunner

The Rise of Andy Kim: From Cleanup to Senate Contender

The first time many Americans encountered Representative Andy Kim was in the early hours of January 7, 2021. A poignant photograph captured him kneeling alone in the grand Capitol Rotunda, collecting trash left behind by rioters who had violently stormed the building just hours prior. This striking image quickly gained traction online, marking Kim’s debut on the national political stage. At that time, he was a young and relatively unknown Democratic congressman, having previously served on the National Security Council and advised President Barack Obama on Iraq before winning election to represent a swing district in southern and central New Jersey.

Fast forward three years, and at the age of 42, Kim is set to address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night. He is considered the frontrunner to become New Jersey’s next senator in the upcoming November elections. If victorious, he will succeed Robert Menendez, who resigned after being convicted in a sprawling international bribery scandal.

This journey represents a remarkable transformation for Kim, who, by his own admission, has never spoken to an audience larger than 1,000 people. He made his way to Capitol Hill in 2019 after defeating a Republican incumbent, a win that played a crucial role in helping Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. Kim successfully defended his seat in 2020, even as a significant number of voters in his district cast their ballots for Donald Trump.

In his challenge against Menendez, a powerful three-term senator, Kim took on the entrenched Democratic political machine in New Jersey and emerged victorious. In March, a federal court ruled that party chairs could not design ballots that favored their endorsed candidates, paving the way for Kim’s candidacy. He is now heavily favored to win in a state that leans solidly Democratic. Should he succeed, he will become the third-youngest member of the Senate.

Many people first became acquainted with Kim through that now-iconic photo, which showed him diligently cleaning up debris from the Capitol Rotunda in the aftermath of the violent insurrection. Credit: Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

As he prepares his remarks for the convention, Kim has chosen to reflect on that fateful moment when he got down on his hands and knees to clear away the remnants of chaos left by the mob of Trump supporters. What he initially considered a simple act of civic responsibility has evolved into a meaningful symbol of his commitment to democracy. “At the time, it felt like nothing special,” he remarked.

In an interview on Tuesday night, Kim expressed his desire to convey a heartfelt message to the American public. “I want to deliver a personal plea: the chaos we witness in America doesn’t have to be our reality,” he stated. “I firmly believe that the greatest divide in American politics is not between Democrats and Republicans, but rather between those who engage in the political process and those who do not.”

Kim concluded, “My message in this speech is aimed at those who feel disconnected. I want to illustrate why your participation in our democracy is vital. We cannot hope to heal our nation’s wounds unless more individuals choose to engage and participate.”