An influential chain of thirteen weekly print newspapers with significant readership in Essex, Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties has endorsed Andy Kim for U.S. Senate and Kamala Harris for president.

In the battle for Congress, the New Jersey Hills Media Group newspaper chain is backing three incumbents: Republican Tom Kean., Jr. (R-Westfield) in seventh place, Democrat LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) in 10th, and Democrat Mikie. Sherrill (D-Montclair) in the 11th.

The Bernardsville News, Chatham Courier, Echoes-Sentinel, Florham Park Eagle, Hanover Eagle, Madison Eagle, Morris News Bee, Hunterdon Review, Mount Olive Chronicle, Observer-Tribune, The Progress, Roxbury Register and the West Morris Reporter are operated by the New Jersey local media nonprofit.

“It’s hard to find a more striking contrast to ‘Gold Bar Bob’ Menendez than the squeaky-clean Kim, whose biggest moment in the national spotlight was a photo of him on his knees clearing debris in the Capitol rotunda after the Jan .6 invasion by supporters of former President Trump,” the editorial said. “As a member of Congress, Kim was a mainstream Democrat and a reliable voice for President Biden’s agenda, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan. He is only 42 years old and young enough to build seniority in the Senate and protect New Jersey’s interests for years to come. We urge the election of Andy Kim to the U.S. Senate.”

The newspapers praised Kim and his Republican opponent, Curtis Bashaw, for running a “respectful, issue-focused campaign. This is refreshing in this age of extreme partisanship and a testament to the integrity and decency of both candidates.

The newspaper chain said Donald Trump “has tapped into the legitimate economic fears of many Americans, but he has also fueled the politics of racism, nativism and resentment more than any American leader since Alabama Governor George Wallace.”

“We can trust that Kamala Harris will not kill the patient,” the editorial said. “We can’t say the same for Donald Trump.”

The decision to endorse it was made by the editor-in-chief without a full editorial board.