Former Sens. Frank Lautenberg, Bill Bradley Potential Replacements

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Robert Torricelli, a prolific fund-raiser whose re-election hopes were severely damaged by an ethics controversy, told colleagues Monday he will drop out of the race if a suitable replacement is found for the Nov. 5 ballot, two Democrats said.

The sources, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, said Torricelli informed New Jersey Democratic leaders and Senate colleagues of his plan. The sources cautioned Torricelli had not finalized his decision as discussions about a replacement continued.

The senator planned an afternoon news conference in New Jersey.

With the election just a little over a month away, Democratic officials were negotiating with Torricelli and discussing possible replacements, including former Democratic Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bill Bradley, the sources said.

[red]Torricelli's woes have troubled Democratic strategists, who are struggling to maintain the party's single-seat majority in the Senate in the midterm elections. [/red]

Republicans said they would contest any effort to have a substitute candidate take his place.

"This is a cynical attempt by party bosses to manipulate democracy," said Mitch Bainwol, executive director of the Senate GOP campaign committee.
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[red]A withdrawal would leave the Democrats in an uncertain position. The deadline for candidates to file for the race has passed, although the party presumably would seek permission, from the courts if necessary, to fill a vacancy on the ballot.

Under New Jersey law, a political party can replace a statewide nominee on the ballot if the person drops out at least 48 days before the election. But only 36 days remain until the Nov. 5 election, meaning Democrats would have to seek approval from the state attorney general. That would likely result in a court challenge from Republicans.

Under state law, if a candidate resigns his office or dies with more than 30 days to the election, the governor can appoint a new candidate. If it happens with less than 30 days before the election, the race can be canceled and the governor can set a new date for a special election. [/red]

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It will be interesting to see how the Dems handle this.  I think Torch will stay until his term runs out...but who are the Dems going to get to run now?  

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........ and the AW ban happened in 1994.

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I can wait...this is going to be like 1994 all over again!!!

[BEER]

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Hate to say this but NJ is such a Dem bastion that they'd elect scum like Al Sharpton if he was NJ resident.

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Problem is that NJ law stipulates that other than for the death of the candidate, no subs may be made.  Not that a little thing like the LAW ever stopped a partisan Dem from anything

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This is WAR.

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........ and the AW ban happened in 1994.

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Remove Torricelli from the equation and any Democrat with even minimal name recognition will win because Torricelli's lost voters would immediately return to the Democratic fold.

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If he resigns now (making room for the Dems to replace him on the ballot) - the Dems STILL lose the Senate until his replacement is sworn in in Jan. 2003 (assuming his replacement doesn't also lose). WHOOHOO!

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Food for thought:

If Torch resigns, the Dems lose control of the Senate (Cheney is tie-breaking vote) giving Republicans Senate control (WHOOHOO!) at bare minimum until Torch's Democrat replacement is elected and sworn in - several months away at the earliest.