46.9 F
New York
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Unexpected Senate Battle in “Deeply Blue’ New Jersey

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), got his team to start rounding up endorsements from Democratic politicians across the country right when he was found not guilty at his corruption trial, according to The New York Times. The urgency and willingness to endorse once Menendez became cleared by the court makes sense as Democrats try chipping away at Senate seats and regain a majority. Even in the time being in the minority, some contentious issues could come down to a single Republican voting yes or no, like with healthcare. If Menendez had been replaced by a Republican in that scenario, there would have been an extra vote in the affirmative.

After prosecutors dropped the case, he thought that being a longtime Democratic senator in a blue state that just elected a Democratic governor would all but guarantee the win, but it appears that he can’t quite shake off the stink of the allegations that were brought against him. The Democrats may have to throw a lot of cash and effort into this single race that was supposed to be a gimme, leaving other hotly contested races to be given less attention by the party at a time when every seat matters for control of Congress.

Real Clear Politics has the race for Menendez’s senate seat labeled as “leans Democrat,” keeping in mind the seat is normally a Democratic given, giving Republicans hope of getting a surprise seat.

Former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin is the man trying to beat Menendez and represent New Jersey as a Republican, and already self-financed $15 million, which mostly included a blit of attack ads that have been one of a number of reasons Menendez faces a close race now.

“Look, this isn’t a race that should be on our radar at all,” Jennifer E. Duffy, a senior editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report said. “But why do we pay attention? One, that primary result,” referring to McCormick’s vote count, adding that “you can’t take that lightly. And then you’ve got a Republican who’s going to put in — the number moves around a lot — but anywhere from $25 to $50 million.”

“I believe when we make that contrast and we talk about our successes, that we’re going to have a great victory,” he said. “So that’s how we’re going to change the dynamics of the race.”

The Jewish Voice previously reported on Menendez’s trial, during which Menendez said in a statement “from the very beginning, I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail. I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to reevaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion.”

Menendez’s lawyer Abbe David Lowell added “we are pleased and grateful that the Justice Department made the right decision to end this case.”

By: Jeremy Finegold

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -