NJ Dems Need Another Candidate

Sen. Robert Torricelli abruptly ended his scandal-tainted re-election campaign just five weeks before the election, leaving Democrats scrambling for a candidate in a race that could affect the balance of power in Washington.

Democratic officials said Monday they would announce a new candidate within 48 hours, but they may need court approval to get the candidate on the ballot.

Republicans vowed to block any attempt to replace Torricelli this close to the November election.

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, meaning Democrats have to go to court to get a new candidate approved.

"In 36 days, decency, fairness and the rule of the law will trump this desperate attempt to retain power," said Douglas Forrester, Torricelli's GOP opponent. "The people of New Jersey have had enough of playing politics with the fundamental tenets of democracy."

A hearing was planned Tuesday afternoon in state Superior Court.

Democrats argue that they should not be bound by the deadline. County clerks have "ample opportunity" to replace Torricelli's name, and if his name is not withdrawn, voters will be confused, they contend. Republicans have said that any attempt to remove Torricelli violates the law.

Torricelli, 51, fought back tears as he announced his decision, noting that he had become an "issue" in the fight for the Senate.

"I come here today, to reclaim my life, but also to ensure that the Democratic Party can retain the seat in the United States Senate," he said. "It is the most painful thing that I've ever done in my life."

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

The Democrats are defending a one-seat advantage in the Senate in mid-term elections, and the loss of New Jersey would greatly complicate their efforts to retain control.

Democratic Party officials were considering a list of possible candidates including former Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bill Bradley and current House members Bob Menendez, Frank Pallone and Rob Andrews, according to sources in Washington and New Jersey.

Lautenberg said he would "seriously consider serving again if asked." Calls to the other potential candidates were not immediately returned. Torricelli was elected in 1996 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 but often were at loggerheads.

But Torricelli's career began to unravel as the public learned more about his relationship with businessman David Chang, a backer of his 1996 campaign.

Chang told investigators he gave the senator Italian suits and a $8,100 Rolex watch, among other gifts, in return for Torricelli's intervention in business deals in North and South Korea. Seven people pleaded guilty to making illegal donations to Torricelli's campaign in 1996.

Torricelli denied any illegality or violations of Senate rules but was admonished anyway. Federal prosecutors investigated but decided against filing charges against him.

The incumbent launched an effort to apologize to the state's voters, but last week a memo in the Chang case was released publicly. In it, prosecutors said Chang's efforts had "greatly advanced" the investigation into the senator's actions, despite Chang's "credibility problems."

Forrester has harped on ethics throughout the campaign and it worked: A poll released over the weekend showed him with a 13-point lead over Torricelli. The same poll showed the incumbent with a 14-point lead in June.

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Author: NBC10/AP