Poll: Only 20 percent of N.J. voters would re-elect Menendez
New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
Even if Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey is acquitted of federal corruption charges, a Quinnipiac University poll finds he could have a tough time winning re-election in 2018.
Pollster Maurice Carroll said 49 percent of New Jersey voters surveyed disapprove of the way Menendez is handling his job, and only 20 percent believe he deserves to be re-elected.
“He’s got a lot to overcome, but assuming that the trial comes out on his side, he’s got a year to work on it,” Carroll said. “I wouldn’t rule the guy out, because he is one tough cookie.”
If Menendez were convicted and forced to leave the Senate, only 3 percent of voters say Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, should appoint himself as U.S. senator. The survey showed 24 percent say he should name someone else, while 68 percent say Christie should wait for a new governor — who will take office in January — to replace Menendez.
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