Vice President Joe Biden travels up to New Jersey today in an effort to help junior Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) keep his seat in the face of a fledgling Republican challenge.
Gov. Chris Christie lent his star power to the first fundraiser for state Sen. Joe Kyrillos last week, helping the Republican rake in $600,000. Kyrillos helmed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s campaign in the state back in 2008.
Menendez already has about $7 million in his war chest. Kyrillos has acknowledged he’s going to be outspent.
The vice president is expected to be called out on the campaign trail in races where the Dem needs a little extra security. Menendez is likely to keep his seat, though, leading by a poll average of 14 points over Kyrillos.
“I’m honored that the Vice President is coming to Morristown. This is a great opportunity to let people know how we’re working together to fight back for New Jersey’s middle class and working families,” Menendez said in a statement of the event, which will be at a private home. “I’m very pleased that everyone has cooperated to eliminate any possible disruptions and distractions to local schools and businesses for the Vice President’s visit.”
Democrats may be nervous that this is the first Senate election in the state since Christie swept into office, beating Jon Corzine by nearly four points in the largest victory margin for a first-term Republican in New Jersey in four decades.
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