Jersey Journal Joins Long List of Endorsements for Bob Menendez

New Brunwsick, N.J. – The list of endorsements of Bob Menendez for Senate is skyrocketing and, today, the Jersey Journal Editorial Board is the latest to endorse, writing that “the choice is clear: Re-elect Bob Menendez.”

The Jersey Journal cites Menendez’s strong record fighting for the people of New Jersey, saying that he “has consistently pushed for progressive ideals.”

“Menendez has been a force in the creation and protection of the Affordable Care Act, which got health insurance for a million New Jerseyans and took a burden of charitable care off our hospitals,” wrote The Editorial Board. “He was instrumental in getting the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, renewed despite the Trump administration’s efforts to slash funding.”

The Editorial Board also brought up Menendez’s Republican opponent Bob Hugin’s troublesome support of Trump.

“After seeing Republican after Republican fold and take up Trump’s anti-American causes, we cannot afford to risk another yes man in Congress,” wrote The Editorial Board. “To that point, Hugin’s approval of Kavanaugh’s confirmation – which came only after it was clear Kavanaugh would be confirmed – is especially worrisome.”

Read the full article below:

Re-elect Menendez; don’t let Hugin buy Senate seat | Jersey Journal endorsement

By Jersey Journal Editorial

During his televised debate against incumbent Bob Menendez, challenger Bob Hugin somewhat snidely echoed comments made during the Brett Kavanaugh Senate confirmation hearings and said he and his opponent were on a “job interview.”

Although his choice of words and tone felt like a swipe at women who fought Kavanaugh’s confirmation, he was nonetheless correct.

On Tuesday, New Jerseyans are faced with a choice of hiring a candidate with decades of on-the-job experience or a political newcomer who has gained exposure by pouring tens of millions of dollars of his own money into his campaign. We are faced with a choice between a Democratic candidate who has consistently pushed for progressive ideals in healthcare, immigration and beyond and a Republican candidate who tells us he is a moderate but has no track record to show us he will vote the way the majority of New Jerseyans would if they were among the 100 men and women in the U.S. Senate.

Based on their qualifications, The Jersey Journal believes the choice is clear: Re-elect Bob Menendez.

Yes, we, like many New Jerseyans, have misgivings because of the federal accusations and Senate Ethics Committee’s admonishment of Menendez over gifts he accepted from a friend and campaign donor and actions he took on that donor’s behalf. Perhaps we are more sensitive than most to the disappointment these actions stirred. We have followed Menendez’s ascent from testifying against his former mentor in a corruption trial to local elected office to the House of Representatives to the Senate. Over four-plus decades, we’ve noted the pride he brought to the Hudson County and Hispanic communities with his many “firsts.” And we’ve recorded the policy achievements that have had lasting impacts for our readers. The accusations cut deep even for jaded news veterans who have become inured to the sight of Hudson County politicians at the defense table.

We can wag our fingers and say he should have retired and let another accomplished New Jerseyan take his place on the Democratic primary ballot – which we believe to be true. But, in the end, we are still left with the same choice on Tuesday: Menendez or Hugin.

Now is not the time in our state’s or nation’s history for a protest vote.

Menendez has been a force in the creation and protection of the Affordable Care Act, which got health insurance for a million New Jerseyans and took a burden of charitable care off our hospitals. He was instrumental in getting the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, renewed despite the Trump administration’s efforts to slash funding. The child of immigrants in a county of immigrants – both documented and undocumented – he has fought for pathways to citizenship as opposed to the Trump administration’s ever-more disturbing efforts to vilify those who come here seeking better lives and, in turn, contribute to our mosaic.

Menendez is experienced. He sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development; and the Senate Finance Committee and its Subcommittee on Health Care.

And he has policy plans to, he hopes, better the ACA’s regulations on chronic disease and end-of-life care — the costliest aspects of healthcare, but also the areas where government and insurers need to have the most compassion – and to implement a “Medicare at 55” program who those who would like to purchase it.

Hugin says his stance on issues of importance to New Jerseyans is to the left of President Trump’s. But, after seeing Republican after Republican fold and take up Trump’s anti-American causes, we cannot afford to risk another yes man in Congress. To that point, Hugin’s approval of Kavanaugh’s confirmation – which came only after it was clear Kavanaugh would be confirmed – is especially worrisome.

And Hugin has his own ethical challenges, accused of profiting off cancer patients when he led the Celgene pharmaceutical company.

Hugin is campaigning as a fresh face, but what he’s mostly brought to the table are piles of cash and negative ads.

We urge voters to cast their ballots for Sen. Menendez on Tuesday.

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