Menendez to face federal corruption charges

[pikachu]

Not surprising at all...I look forward to another poorly scheduled special election by Christie (assuming Menendez has to go).

[pikachu]

At this rate, New Jersey might be able to join New York and Illinois in the corruption state trio!

You imply that we weren't already there. Regardless, the state can do a lot better than Menendez, and I really hope for Pallone or Holt to replace him. I'm really hoping that we can avoid someone like Sweeney, Norcross, or another Christiecrat.

[pikachu]

He's been indicted.

Except for the short period of a Christie appointee, this seat will still probably stay Dem.

Well, last time Christie was trying to keep NJ Dems from challenging him, so he intentionally kept the seat weak and open to distract possible opponents. This time he's appealing to Republican primary voters; a Senate pickup would generate some good news for him in the primary. I think this time he has to appoint a real politician and try to campaign for the seat. Tom Kean, Jr., would be logical, especially as there might be some buyer's remorse among NJ voters who remember the 2006 race.

I can't see any serious NJ republican take a two year (at most) Senate seat from a Republican governor when they could just run for governor in 2017 and actually have a chance at staying in power.