Seeing a chance to knock off incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez, New Jersey Republicans are working to prevent the state’s Democrats from pulling a Torricelli.
With Robert Menendez’ U.S. Senate campaign under unexpected pressure, his Republican rivals are trying to prevent Democratic leaders from bumping him from the race and replacing him with another candidate. Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris) yesterday called on Gov. Jon Corzine and Democratic legislators to act quickly to strengthen a law preventing a political party from switching candidates within 48 days of Election Day.
Asked if he thinks Menendez, who is running as the appointed incumbent senator, will quit the race, DeCroce replied, “Bob Menendez has too big a head to stand down. He will fight to hold his position. I don’t think that will happen.”
Matt Miller, a Menendez campaign spokesman, said the candidate has no intention of dropping out of the race against state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union). “I think this entire thing is just a Republican fantasy. It is really just the latest chapter in their smear campaign,” Miller said.
Given that NJ Democrats managed to ignore state law to replace Bob Torricelli in 2002, it’s hardly a “smear” to worry that it could happen again.
