Torricelli Backs Out

Robert Torricelli has dropped his U.S. Senate re-election bid in New Jersey, throwing the state's November election in doubt, as well as the balance of power in Congress. The senator announced his plans at a Monday news conference in New Jersey after a full day of talks with party leaders about possible replacements and on research of the legal issues involved in getting a new candidate on the ballot.

"I've loved almost every moment and I fought for everything I believed in with every fiber in my body," Torricelli said.

A defiant Torricelli said that his opponent, Republican Douglas Forrester, didn't belong in the U.S. Senate.

"This is a political campaign devoid of all issues," Torricelli said.

He also acknowledged that national political issues played a part in his decision.

"I will not be responsible for the loss of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate," Torricelli said.

Torricelli said that he has asked attorneys to file a motion with the U.S. Supreme Court to remove his name from the current election ballet. Torricelli will keep his Senate seat until January 2003.

"I've reached my limit," Torricelli said.

Torricelli's re-election hopes were severely damaged by an ethics controversy.

With the election just a little over a month away, Democratic officials are discussing possible replacements, including former Democratic Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bill Bradley, the sources said.

An associate said it was unlikely Bradley would accept. A source close to Lautenberg said he would run if asked by Gov. James E. McGreevey, a fellow Democrat.

Republicans said they would contest any effort to have a substitute candidate take his place. Currently, the Democrats have a one-seat margin in the U.S. Senate.

"This is a cynical attempt by party bosses to manipulate democracy," said Mitch Bainwol, executive director of the Senate GOP campaign committee.

Torricelli was elected to replace Bradley, the former basketball star who later ran for the 2000 Democratic presidential nomination and lost to Al Gore. Torricelli and Lautenberg served together in the Senate as Democrats, but often were at loggerheads.

Torricelli was admonished over the summer by the Senate ethics committee, which investigated allegations that he had accepted gifts from a campaign contributor, a businessman that the lawmaker aided.

Torricelli swiftly launched an effort to apologize to the state's voters, but his Republican rival, Doug Forrester, has capitalized on the issue and polls show him leading.

Under New Jersey law, a political party can replace a statewide nominee on the ballot if the person drops out at least 48 days before the election.

But only 36 days remain until the Nov. 5 election, meaning Democrats would have to seek approval from the state attorney general. That would likely result in a court challenge from Republicans.

Under state law, if a candidate resigns his office or dies with more than 30 days to the election, the governor can appoint a new candidate.

If it happens with less than 30 days before the election, the race can be canceled and the governor can set a new date for a special election.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Copyright 2002 by NBC 10. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.