NJ SEN 2000: Bob Franks beats Jon Corzine

[Suburbia]

In the 2000 Senate election, Rep. Bob Franks defeats wealthy businessman Jon Corzine 50-48 in the closest Senate election of 2000 in New Jersey. How does his senatorial career begin?

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/21/nyregion/quiet-town-expects-its-senate-nominees-to-run-with-dignity.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/nyregion/11franks.html

[Lord Admirale]

Republicans get a 51-49 seat majority, unlike the 50-50 tie (later minority due to Jeffords) they held from 2001 to 2003.

[MATTROSE94]

I am thinking that Bob Franks gets re-elected in 2006 (as the Democrats didn't really have that strong of a bench if candidates that year other than Bob Melendez), but still dies in 2010 as in RL. I assume that Governor Christie probably appoints Tom Kean Jr. to Bob Frank's old seat. Tom Kean Jr. probably gets elected to a full term in 2012, but likely loses to Steve Fulop in 2018 due to President Trump's very high disapproval rating in New Jersey and general dissatisfaction with the policies pursued by the New Jersey Republican Party in recent years.