N.J. Sen. Menendez to endorse Clinton

12 Jun, 2007  No Comment

Associated Press This video frame grab taken from C-SPAN2 television shows Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. speaking on the floor of the Senate Wednesday June 6, 2007 in Washington. A proposed immigration overhaul survived a stiff challenge Wednesday as the Senate turned back Menendez's bid to emphasize reuniting families more than job skills for many foreigners seeking to move to the U.S. Menendez,got 54 votes for his effort to delay shifting U.S. immigration policy away from keeping families together in favor of attracting more foreign workers. But that was seven votes short of the 60 needed. Voting against him were 44 senators. (AP Photo/C-SPAN2)

NEW YORK - Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has won the endorsement of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez , a prominent Hispanic Democrat and leading political voice in the vote-rich state.

The endorsement was scheduled to be announced Tuesday in Washington, two Democrats familiar with the situation said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the planned formal announcement.

Menendez, a Cuban-American and former member of the House leadership, was appointed in December 2005 to fill the Senate seat of Gov.-elect Jon Corzine. Menendez was re-elected in 2006, defeating Thomas Kean Jr., the son of the former Republican governor, in a hard-fought and expensive race.

Clinton raised money and campaigned for Menendez during his re-election bid.

Menendez is one of just three Hispanics in the Senate, along with Republican Mel Martinez (news, bio, voting record) of Florida and Democrat Ken Salazar (news, bio, voting record) of Colorado.

The Menendez endorsement follows that of another prominent Hispanic Democrat, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Both California and New Jersey are among several large states hosting primaries Feb. 5.

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