Menendez to be Named NJ Senator

The AP reports:

New Jersey will be represented for the first time by a minority U.S. senator when Gov.-elect Jon Corzine announces his decision to name Democratic Rep. Robert Menendez to fill the remaining year of his Senate term.

This sets up a Menendez vs. Kean, Jr. race in 2006. Assuming the NJ GOP is smart enough to keep Shundler and Forrester on the bench, NJ is now in play for the GOP. Perhaps Corzine will make it even more interesting by taking the time-honored NJ Dem route of raising taxes in his first year.