I'm not going to get involved in this, OK?”ĭuring a press conference commemorating the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating landfall in New Jersey - an event that took place just days after Menendez’s latest scandal began to publicly emerge - Sen. said in a phone interview when asked about the latest investigation of the senator. “I support him 100 percent,” Hudson County Democratic Chair Anthony Vainieri Jr. The district includes some of the most urban areas of New Jersey, including parts of Newark, Jersey City and Elizabeth. Albio Sires and is virtually assured of winning his election next week in the solidly Democratic district of North Jersey, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The younger Menendez easily won the Democratic nomination to replace the retiring Rep. House seat his father occupied before being elevated to the Senate. Menendez, is poised to take over the U.S. Menendez’s influence in local politics is so strong that his son, Robert J. “To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are, and I won’t forget you,” Menendez said outside of the federal courthouse in Newark in 2017, after he beat corruption charges. The results were read as a protest vote against the senator.įor now, the only thing on public display by New Jersey’s top Democrats is loyalty and fealty to Menendez, a powerful figure who has been open about his willingness to punish Democrats disloyal to him. Soliman said Menendez intends to seek reelection in 2024.ĭemocrats were caught off guard by Menendez’s weakness in the 2018 primary, when Lisa McCormick, a virtually unknown candidate with no significant campaign infrastructure or money, got 38 percent of the vote despite the senator’s huge structural advantages. His tireless advocacy on behalf of the state is supported by those relationships and has earned him a long and deep reservoir of good will,' Michael Soliman, a spokesperson for Menendez, said in an emailed statement. 'Senator Menendez is always in touch with constituents and governmental, political and community leaders throughout New Jersey. Menendez, who rose from the cauldron of urban Hudson County Democratic machine politics to become chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has acknowledged the investigation but said he does not know its scope. Others refuse to address the question altogether, insisting they’re too focused on Tuesday’s midterm election to worry about it.

Most consider Menendez an effective senator, but some are beginning to believe his legal troubles threaten to outweigh that. Some New Jersey Democrats are expressing deep frustration the 68-year-old, three-term senator could once again be under an ethical cloud.

Bob hugin new jersey