On October 10, 2024, Congressman Andy Kim stepped into Adjunct John Froonjian’s Leadership in N.J. Government and Politics classroom to share his experiences in public service and shed some light onto our political climate today. Kim, a Democrat representing our state’s 3rd district, has sacrificed his opportunity of reelection for his seat in order to compete in our Senate race this fall.

Elected to Congress in 2018, Kim has been an advocate for issues such as healthcare, voting rights, veterans’ affairs, and most notably, foreign policy. He has previously served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, including as a strategic adviser to General David Petraeus in Afghanistan and as a member of the National Security Council. 

During his appearance, Kim shared much about his personal life, including how his parents, South Korean immigrants, never discussed politics at home. The tragic events of 9/11, which took place while he was in college, sparked his desire to serve the public and work toward protecting the country and promoting peace.

Kim quickly distinguished himself from the typical politician. “I’m not really a politician,” he told the room, emphasizing that his goal is to serve people, not pursue a political career. Addressing the challenges of civic disengagement, he warned that “the opposite of democracy is apathy.” Kim also spoke about being underestimated in politics, a recurring theme throughout his talk.

He didn’t shy away from difficult topics, admitting that testifying against his own party wasn’t something he ever expected to do. “It wasn’t on my bucket list,” he said, recalling the experience, but stressed that integrity and transparency were his priorities. Kim then turned the conversation to broader legislative issues, such as ending gerrymandering and protecting voting rights, paying tribute to the late John Lewis’s efforts. Kim emphasized the importance of protecting and upholding citizenship and democratic values.

Responding to questions from students in the classroom, Kim spoke about education as a key driver of economic mobility. “Education is one of the best ways to protect economic opportunity,” he noted. He quickly acknowledged the large upfront cost of higher education, but stressed how essential it is for advancing both as a society and individuals.

He also opened up about the immense pressure he felt during his campaign against Phil Murphy’s wife, mentioning at the mark how many officials around him encouraged him to drop out. Kim urged the audience to “fight against that sense of apathy”, encouraging them to remain engaged in politics.

When asked what motivates him, Kim spoke passionately about his commitment to saving lives. His focus, essentially of his entire career, he explained, is to prevent avoidable deaths and improve the well-being of Americans. 

For more about Andy Kim’s campaign, visit his website here. On November 5, Andy Kim’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat in New Jersey will be on the ballot alongside our presidential election.