Sen. Robert Menendez's lackluster performance in New Jersey's Democratic primary on Tuesday is raising concerns about his prospects for victory in the general election, even in the deep-blue Garden State.
Menendez's margin of victory over fellow Democrat Lisa McCormick—a publisher and political unknown—was "closer than anyone anticipated," Politico reported. The incumbent received only 62 percent of the vote after many pulled the lever for McCormick, partly out of protest against Menendez's recent corruption allegations.
Pollster Patrick Murray expressed surprise about Menendez's vote totals on Twitter.
"The actual vote doesn't look great," he said. "Imagine if there had been a real challenge campaign."
McCormick reported spending no money on the race.
Menendez escaped conviction in a six-week federal corruption trial last fall that ended in a mistrial, but the Senate Ethics Committee admonished him for violating federal law by letting gifts go unreported. In court, the senator's legal team argued that Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen was a friend whose gifts to Menendez did not constitute bribery, and he is not committing to pay back some of the gifts he received despite stating his intent to do so.
New Jersey's Democratic Party is not expressing concern about the primary results.
"I wouldn't say it's a sign of weakness. I think it's a sign that he has not responded to his opponent's message, and we will," said New Jersey state Democratic chairman John Currie.
Menendez also received the enthusiastic endorsement of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Cory Booker.
Menendez now faces off against Republican Bob Hugin, a former pharmaceutical executive and Marine veteran. Hugin received 75 percent of the votes in the Republican primary, but the GOP faces a mathematical challenge to win a statewide race in New Jersey, which has not elected a GOP senator since 1972.
Hugin has attacked Menendez's record and ethics in ads in the run-up to the primary, but Menendez's camp is showing confidence. Menendez adviser Michael Soliman criticized Hugin's career running the drug company Celgene, as well as his financial support of President Donald Trump.
"As voters learn about drug company CEO Bob Hugin's record of jacking up drug prices on cancer patients, paying $280 million to settle fraud charges, and giving hundreds of thousands to elect Donald Trump, the choice before voters will be clear," Soliman said.
McCormick's campaign manager and partner Jim Devine said their progressive challenge to Menendez may have led to a historic upset had McCormick received more attention.
"One of the things you have to do when you set out to get something done is you have to believe it's possible," he said. "With money and widespread support and a unified progressive base, we could have succeeded."