NYT: Senate Challenge (by Rep. Andrews) Is Averted in New Jersey

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Senate Challenge Is Averted in New Jersey
By RICHARD LEZIN JONES
Published: January 14, 2006


TRENTON, Jan. 13 - United States Representative Robert E. Andrews announced on Friday that he would not run for the Senate seat being vacated by Governor-elect Jon S. Corzine, easing concerns among Democrats of a divisive primary this year.

Mr. Corzine has already selected Representative Robert Menendez to finish the remaining year of his term, and Mr. Menendez has said he will seek his party's nomination to run for a full-six year term in the November election. But Mr. Andrews had hinted that he might run against Mr. Menendez in the spring primary.

Mr. Andrews was widely considered the strongest potential opponent to Mr. Menendez. Another representative , Frank J. Pallone Jr., has still not ruled out a challenge.

Whoever runs for the seat is expected to face Thomas H. Kean Jr., a state senator from Union County and the likely Republican nominee. Because Republican leaders have sought to ensure that Mr. Kean will not face a serious primary opponent, Mr. Andrews said that he felt it was important to do the same for Mr. Menendez....

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There has been widespread speculation in political circles that Mr. Andrews, 48, might be the party's preference to succeed Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, 81, should the senator decide not to seek re-election in 2008....


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/14/nyregion/14jersey.html?oref=login