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Menendez Overtakes Kyrillos to Retain Senate Seat

Republicans have conceded the senatorial seat to incumbent Robert Menendez.

 

As the ballots pour in from Sandy-ravaged New Jersey, Robert Menendez has emerged victorious in reclaiming his U.S. Senate seat against Republican challenger Joe Kyrillos.

With just over half of polling districts reporting, state Republicans have conceded victory to Menendez. The U.S. senator leads 58 percent to 40 percent as of 10:30 p.m., according to CBS News.

"Senator Joe Kyrillos ran a great campaign against very tough circumstances and despite the loss, his family, campaign team, and supporters should be very proud of their efforts," New Jersey Republican Chairman Sam Raia said in a statement late Tuesday night. "Joe represents the very best of New Jersey and has fought for his constituents faithfully from the day he took office and I have no doubt he will continue to do so for many years to come." 

Early polls had projected Menendez a big winner on Tuesday and the Hudson County liberal delivered.

The race had been called by multiple outlets before 20 percent of districts had even reported.

Appointed to the senate by former Gov. Jon Corzine in 2006, Menendez had little trouble out-muscling Kyrillos financially in his second successful bid for senatorial office.

Campaign finance records show the U.S. Senator picked up $16 million from donors and aggressively dropped large sums on 30-second TV spots, more than tripling Gov. Chris Christie confidant's war chest.

A staunch supporter of Obamacare who protested the war in Iraq, Menendez has pledged to "fight for the middle class" by closing corporate loopholes and removing the tax breaks for the wealthy, a stark contrast to Kyrillos' vision.

First elected in 1992 to the state legislature but lacking name recognition throughout New Jersey, Kyrillos campaigned on dropping the corporate tax rate to incentivize job creation and spur growth.

"We're going to have to raise revenue, and I want to do it through growth," Kyrillos said at a debate against the senator this fall.

Kyrillos, considered by most a moderate GOP, was one of the few Republicans not to have signed the anti-tax-hike pledge, which he told The Record's editorial board was to "maintain independence."

Menendez was not immediately available for comment.

This article was last updated at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Related Topics: Bob Menendez, Joe Kyrillos, U.S. Senate Race, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, elections 2012, and participate 2012

Pat

10:01 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

New Jersey disgusts me, we get what we deserve.

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Nerner

10:39 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

You are welcome to move to Texas any time!

jciccy

10:09 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

WOOOOHOOOOOOO! That's right, Jersey Strong!!!!

make my day

10:11 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Menendez is disgraceful. NJ voters should do their homework befote they vote!

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Ken

4:45 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Unfortunately they just look to see if there is a D or R by there name. Stupid people should not be allowed to vote.

Rufus O'Callahan

10:47 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

I'm not surprised. Kyrillos was an awful candidate shoved down our throats by Christie and the NJ GOP. He had no platform and ran absolutely horrible ads (i.e. the one where he essentially apologized for being a Republican). We had a really good shot at defeating Menendez if we had run a candidate like Mike Doherty, but he was muscled aside so that good soldier Kyrillos, who has collected a government paycheck for 24 years and done absolutely nothing worthwhile, could run instead. Will the NJ GOP learn their lesson? Doubtful. They haven't been able to elect a Republican U.S. Senator in over 30 years, and it seems like they aim to keep that going.

Marlboro Mann

11:34 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012

New Jerseyans are the dumbest voters in the world. They walk into the voting booth and vote Democratic even if the candidate is a slug. Unions, minorities, illegals, and unemployed parasites are the Democratic base. This is why we will continue to have socialist programs such as Abbots, COAHs, as well as scores of businesses leaving this wretched state.

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Lisa

7:31 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I agree with you Marlboro Man!! I will be leaving this state and taking my business with me as soon as possible.

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buffymcbuffy

12:01 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I completely agree with you, we are surrounded by IDIOTS. Peopls need to go to his website and read the things this mental midget supports. New Jerseyans have a record for being STUPID. I hope we go bankrupt just so people WAKE the HELL UP!!!!!

Ken

12:09 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

While Kyrillos was no prize, anyone would have been better than Menendez. I do not vote along any party line. I vote for whoever I think is the better candidate ot at least the lesser of two evils and there is no way I would have ever voted for Menendez. He is absolutely the worst!

Jonas Grumby

12:19 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Republicans were too stupid to run a better candidate than the "good soldier" Kyrillos and they STILL think Menendez got elected because the "voters" are dumb?

Menendez won. Obama won. HAHAHA Repubs. Come back when you have REAL candidates.

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XJS

10:40 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Yes, they won and the citizens of this country lost. We lost because neither party puts forth top talent, moderate, thinking people. Instead, we have a subpar president re-elected because the opposing party put forth an even worse candidate. The same thing happened in 2004 & we got the better of two bads in 2000 & 2008. Good lord.

Menendez is a disgusting human being. Anyone who voted for him should be ashamed of him/herself. A pine tree would be a better Senator than that guy.

But until the "us" vs "them" mentality of politics as a football game goes away, we'll have wayyyy too many people like Jonas here who thinks "his team won" voting the party line without thought.

Jonas Grumby

12:41 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Aaaah, now we get to hear to the cries of the losers from the Right. The party of purity, honor and family values. The party that brought you Larry Craig, Don Sherwood and Michael Grimm now cries foul about Menendez.

But all I see if the scorecard that says Obama - 1, Romney - 0....Menendez -1, Kyrillos - 0.

Good night Repubs. Better luck next time. But at least you still have the Bernards Township Committee to call your own.

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buffymcbuffy

1:28 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I'm not on the left or right, I'm an American. I believe in hard work, personal responsibility and the Constitution. We need term limits on ALL politians. We also need the media to vet all candidates on both sides.

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Bob Royal

1:57 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

While there are bad apples on both sides, at least Republicans do not mock purity, honor, and family values. Republicans are upset when their fellow Republicans fail to live up to those ideals. Democrats think it is all one big funny joke.

Rona

1:06 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

6 more years of the same b.s. Oh God!

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.

10:06 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

6 years? Is that something new?

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XJS

10:41 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Senators are 6 year terms.

Seaside Tony

5:37 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

For all of you who cry what a terrible state this is you are welcome to leave. I for one may not agree with elected officials but at least I love my home. I lost two homes in this storm (my fathers and grandmothers). I've seen the best of people this past week and I am proud to be a Jersian.

Martha Wallace

5:56 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

""I'm so glad we had that storm last week because I think the storm was one of those things. I'm so glad we had that storm last week because I think the storm was one of those things"
Chris Matthews

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/11/07/MSNBCs-Matthews-Im-So-Glad-We-Had-That-Storm-Last-Week

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RocketMan10

12:24 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It's only fair for you to finish that quote. Here's the entire quote: "I'm so glad we had that storm last week because I think the storm was one of those things. No, politically I should say. Not in terms of hurting people. The storm brought in possibilities for good politics."

John Hayes

8:10 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Yeah!! Trillion dollar deficits for the foreseeable future!!

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Denobin

12:07 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Already had them thanks to the Bush adminstration. Next.

frank

8:43 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Robert Menendez is a decent man and right for the job but i sense from some loosers , here , that they don't agree ??cause ? envy ? or racists pigs ?hey loosers , we just re-elected a 1/2 black (mixed races) man to continous to be president of our USA ?? how you like that? really.

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The Name You Know

1:05 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

He's also half white. And it's "loser" not "looser". Try reading a book.

frank

8:45 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Better yet, go back to England or Ireland or whatever European country you come from, bye, bye.

DudleyDoRight

10:37 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A Senator is elected for 6 years; a President and Governor for 4 years; and a Congressperson for 2 years. Not new.

NJTom

10:49 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Now that he's safe for another six years, I wonder if Senator Che will continue begging illegals to take food stamps?

Mitt Rummey

12:07 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Only in America, you can have a president, who has failed the country so miserably, get re-elected! This tells me something about America!

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Ric

12:12 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Mutt Rummey. It is time for you to fade into the background. You got your butt well whupped. Does that tell you something, eh?

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Ric

12:14 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Mutt, by the way, why are you bringing up George Bush's reelection of 8 years ago?

helpusall

12:18 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

economy down the toilet,gay marriages,unemployment thru the roof,country being overtaken by illegals,woman with 5 kids 4 different fathers and a president that 's not a citizen GREAT COUNTRY WE LIIVE IN

A. Newarker

1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The headline is totally misleading - Kyrillos never had a chance and even Gov. Christie knew it. That's why Christie never spent a minute in New Jersey cmpaigning for Kyrillos.

ANNE M CALLOWAY

1:08 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Here's the deal ..the people have spoken like or not..calling names and being a poor sport won't change anything. Turn your negative energy into positive. Get over it.move forward. START RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU ARE, figure out what YOU can personally do to make a difference and effect Change.

Washed ashore

1:21 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Anne you are spot on. What can we do to improve the cities of this country? What are some of your ideas because up to now, nothing has worked even though the voters continue to support the failed policies. For example, Abbott schools get and spend more than Brick does. has it produced better results? is the issue really monetary? What do you think

What I am doing today is selling all my assets to pay long term capital gains and then buying municipal bonds which are tax free so that the government will receive less from me to waste going forward. Then I am going to create a plan to layoff 10 more employees to pay for all of the other stuff Obama wants me to comply with. After that, I am going to cancel my purchase of a new truck for my business because why should I help out that company any longer. Lastly, I am going to get rid of my lawn service and buy a donkey so I will save on grass cut expenses and lower my property taxes as farmland. Tomorrow I will seek more ways to do less because apparently I am evil and don't pay my fair share now. See if the people in Asbury Park can make up the difference. Thanks

Moist Cake

1:23 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Nah Nah Nah Nah, Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye republicans!

Enjoy watching the gays get equal rights, workings earning a decent wage, the right to unionize, funded public education for all, universal healthcare and no more wars we have to send our children to.

Paul Ryan is your savior, too bad he'll have to command from the little seat in the house.

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Washed ashore

1:29 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Hey have at it all. Best of luck. How you gonna pay for it? Borrow a few more trillions. HHAHAHAHAHAHH. I will still be well off and you will still be trying to steal from me.

Southide W

1:48 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Or this from Wikipeadia?

"A poll released by CBS and the New York Times in 2006 asked participants to name the first thing that came to their minds when hearing Menendez's name: the top answer given was "corruption" or "crooked".

Washed ashore

1:52 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Hey will you look at that? The Government only spent and borrowed another $20 billion today. Did you feel it? Are you better off today? I know I am. I sold my Apple stock yesterday before it dropped 30 points! Phew!! Thanks Goldman Sachs for the tip!!

A

2:09 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

If you are not happy MOVE! its obvious he and everyone else is there because we voted for him. Stop being sore losers. It's the same if a republican would have won I won't sit here and bash them, I would be ok because the voters put him there. It is what it is. Move on.

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buffymcbuffy

4:12 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I'm not a sore loser I'm a realist. I wouldn't vote for Obama because I didn't know enough about him. Now I know something about him and I like him even less. He's an EVIL man, he pits American against American with class warfare(ENVY) which is one of the 7 deadly sins. Obama seems to encompass just about ALL of the 7 deadly sins. Hmmm, that explains everything. Let's name them, Vanity, Envy, Gluttony, Anger, Greed, Slothand Lust. All he did was PARTY for the past 4years on our dime, while the rest of us suffered.

Rufus O'Callahan

4:31 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Mike Doherty. Simple as that. Why is the NJ GOP refusing to support his candidacy? When so few legislators made it a priority, he came up with a plan to address property taxes with his Fair School Funding plan. He also has been a leading voice in opposition to red light cameras and the groping tactics of the TSA. This is a candidate for office that will give us a decent shot at unseating one of the Senators. If they don't run him in 2014, then Sam Raia & Co. are even bigger idiots than I think they are.

Michelle R.

8:17 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Hmm, wonder how he'll celebrate?

Southide W

6:09 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Well, well, well, look who is in the news - our very own Senator Menendez. Congratulations to those NJ residents who voted for this honorable fellow.

"U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez employed as an unpaid intern in his Senate office an undocumented immigrant who was a registered sex offender, now under arrest by immigration authorities, The Associated Press has learned. The Homeland Security Department instructed federal agents not to arrest him until after Election Day, a U.S. official involved in the case told the AP."

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stewart resmer

8:38 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

“The true hypocrite is the one who ceases to
perceive his deception, the one who lies with
sincerity” - - Andre Gide: French writer, humanist and
moralist, 1947 nobel prize for literature, 1869-1951

http://www.republicanoffenders.com/index.html

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