Senator Bob Menendez in New Jersey: What you need to know

An outgoing senator who has fallen victim to a scandal and faces a wealthy independent Republican has turned a blue state into a battleground that Democrats must suddenly defend.

The map of the Senate would always be difficult for the Democrats. Although the political climate was favorable, the Democrats knew they would have a hard time retaining seats in deep red states like Indiana, West Virginia and North Dakota.

But New Jersey?

In recent weeks, national Democrats have poured millions of dollars into the race to save Sen. Robert Menendez, while polls show the senator that the senator has a length in advance, but what about only the margin of error remains. At the end of last week, the cook's political report pushed the race to a "draw".

A Republican has not held a seat in the US Senate in Jersey for 46 years. President Trump lost the state to Hillary Clinton by 14 points. Compare that to neighboring Pennsylvania, which Trump won, where incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey is expected to easily win double digits.

But Menendez, seeking a third term, has struggled to get rid of his considerable baggage. For those who need a quick guide: Menendez was indicted in 2015 for helping a major campaign contributor and friend, who had taken him on lavish private jet trips, bypassing the regulations government. The case was tried in September 2017. Two months later, the jury was in stalemate and a lawsuit for annulment was declared. The Senate Ethics Committee resumed the case in January 2018 after the judge dismissed all charges. In April, the Senate committee convicted Menendez of breaking federal law, officially reprimanded him, and ordered him to pay back all the gifts he had received.

In addition, campaign ads resurrected the allegation that Menendez slept with underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, which, despite FBI and media investigations, has never been proven.

The voters of Jersey have a heavy heart in the scandal and the leaders of the Democratic State have remained loyal to Menendez. Yet this race is much closer than it should be.

At the same time, the New Jersey Star-Ledger editorial board asked voters on Monday to "reject the decision and vote for Menendez". The council acknowledged Menendez's flaws, writes that he should have pulled out to make room for a less troubled Democratic candidate, and then argues that it's still better than the alternative – the CEO of the pharmaceutical industry, Bob Hugin,.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board echoed this argument and called the hypocrites democrats pressuring the Alabama Republicans last year to oppose Roy Moore, the Senate accused of having attended and sued teenagers when he was 30 years old, while urging the Democrats of Jersey to support Menendez despite his warning to the Senate and his questionable ethics.

"Basic Democrats can show that they are a moral match for Republicans in Alabama if they decide to vote for Mr. Hugin or stay home. Otherwise, spare us the lectures on the moral consequences of Donald Trump, "wrote the editorial board of the WSJ.

It is hard to imagine a scenario in which many state democrats will vote for Hugin. So the real question is whether the mediocre ticket will cut voter turnout enough so Republicans can win a victory.

Although Menendez will likely survive because of Democrats' primary motivation to provide control over President Trump, it is not uncommon for politicians to assail the scandal of losing their seat in a pro-party year.

In 2002, when Republicans won seats after the Sept. 11 attacks, GOP incumbent Senator Tim Hutchinson lost his reelection to a conservative Democrat from Arkansas after leaving his wife for a staff member much younger.