Reps. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) ìwere on the phone trying to line up support from party leaders for a Senate bidî on Wednesday, soon after Sen. Jon Corzineís (D-NJ) victory in the stateís gubernatorial election. The New York Times reports that both men ìhave long been mentioned as two of the likeliest successors to Mr. Corzine.î
Meanwhile, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus formally endorsed Menendezís bid, according to Roll Call. The CHC asked Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ìnot to recruit another candidate into the race -- namely New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard Codey (D).î
But according to one New Jersey Democratic official, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other senior Democrats want Corzine to appoint Codey to fill Corzineís post. According to The Hill, Codey ìanticipates phone calls in the coming days from Dean, Reid and possiblyî Schumer.
The appointment will not be made until Corzine takes over as governor on January 1, 2006. However, the New York Daily News notes Corzine "could resign his senate seat before then, presumably coming to an agreement with the acting governor on the choice to replace him. If not, he would make the choice after he takes office and resigns his senate seat."