Menendez holds on to N.J. seat

EAST BRUNSWICK, Nov. 7 — "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" shouted victorious Democratic Senator Bob Menendez last night, taking the stage shortly after receiving a concession phone call from Republican opponent Tom Kean, Jr.

The crowd's cheering rose to a deafening roar as he addressed his supporters. "Only in America, and especially in New Jersey, could the son of a seamstress and a carpenter ... be chosen by his neighbors to be their voice in the United States Senate."

Introduced minutes earlier by New Jersey governor Jon Corzine, who said Menendez was the right choice and applauded voters for their judgment, Menendez took the stage with his two children and senior New Jersey senator Frank Lautenberg. (Related: Read our election blog.)

Playing down the thunderous booing that erupted after he mentioned Kean's concession, Menendez addressed his supporters, his opponents and "especially those who didn't vote at all" in a message of dedication toward the beliefs of all New Jerseyans.

"I will wake up every morning to do what is right for the people of New Jersey," he promised. "We need to change the direction of Washington after this election."

Menendez had campaigned heavily on his firm stance in opposition to President Bush's policies, especially on the war in Iraq. "I didn't wait to see which way the political winds were blowing, and I never will," he said of his determination to vote for what he feels is right for the country.

Throughout the evening, Menendez's supporters had expressed great optimism for his chances in the race, even as initial voting results showed the two candidates in a statistical dead heat or even Kean slightly ahead.

When some news channels and the Associated Press newswire began calling the election in Menedez's favor, the optimism became sharper, though some were still wary of early predictions.

"It is what it is," Democratic New Jersey Senate president Dick Codey said of the early announcement. "They've only been wrong once before [in the Florida election]."

Some still felt the election was too close to call, like Robert Polakowski, vice president of the Association of Independent College and Universities in New Jersey, an organization of which Princeton is a member.

"We've been here before," Polakowski said, referring to close races and recounts. A veteran of the electoral process, having worked on campaigns for over 20 years, he remained confident in Menendez's eventual victory. "Tom Kean has name recognition, but he doesn't have the same experience as Bob Menendez," Polakowski said. "I think experience wins tonight, and Tom Jr. may have his day another day."

When asked why Menendez should be reelected, Codey glanced at the projected returns on the wall and said, "He already was. He's the best candidate."

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A staffer then projected a USA Today web article declaring a conclusive win for Menendez, and the crowd went wild. Former New Jersey governor Jim Florio said minutes later, "Tonight's the night, and an early night!" Many were still waiting, however, for the official concession from Kean.

As time went on and it became evident that Menendez would win by a wide margin, the praise and exultation flowed abundantly.

"I'm very happy that Bob Menendez was elected," Trenton mayor Douglas Palmer said. "He's a person who is highly ethical, hardworking and dedicated to working families. It's the change we need."

New Jersey Assemblywoman Nellie Pou also offered her praise and an assessment of the election as a whole. "I'm very happy. I'm not surprised, though, because I know how hard the senator has worked," she said. "The people of New Jersey are the real winners here."

Pou said that voters gravitated away from Kean because of his inability to articulate a firm stance on the issues. "The people continue to look for information on where Tom Kean, Jr. stands," she explained. "Today, on election day, we're not really sure. We still don't know where he stands."

In his victory speech, Menendez reflected on the fact that he was the first generation of his family to attend college. This resonated with many of the students from Saint Peter's College — the senator's alma mater — who were in attendance.

"I'm a big supporter of Bob Menendez," said Saint Peter's director of admission Joe Giglio. "I grew up in Union City [where Menendez was mayor], and we're really excited. [Menendez] was a first-generation college student, like so many of our students today."

For long after the newly reelected senator had cleared the stage, the crowd still stood and cheered triumphantly, egged on by news of Democratic victories in other states. The feeling in the room was clear: a hard-fought victory had been achieved.