By Desirée Taylor
NJ Today
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has picked up a key endorsement from the New Jersey Sierra Club in his reelection bid. At a press conference this morning, Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, called Menendez a dedicated national environmental leader. Menendez touted his record for supporting solar and off shore wind projects as well as his fight to end subsidies for big oil companies.
“While I’ve been standing here shoulder to shoulder with Jeff and the Sierra Club for renewable energy, for wind and solar, Joe Kyrillos has been standing with Paul Ryan and the Republicans to turn back the clock on environmental progress we’ve made in this country,” said Menendez.
Challenging Menendez for his Senate seat in Washington is Republican Joe Kyrillos. The longtime State Senator from Monmouth County says he’s fought to preserve open space and protect New Jersey’s shoreline. And Kyrillos has received endorsements from environmental groups in the past.
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Along with the environment, Kyrillos believes there’s another issue that needs to be addressed — judicial pensions. His campaign issued a release saying Menendez became enraged that a bipartisan resolution allowing voters to decide whether state judges should pay the same amount as other state employees toward their and pension benefits would be placed on the November ballot. Menendez responded by saying, “I don’t know where they got that speculation from but I’ve said nothing about that issue. It’s on the ballot… People will decide.”
Most polls show Menendez still has a significant lead over Kyrillos. And Menendez continues to lead Kyrillos in fundraising. Kyrillos does have the support of Gov. Chris Christie. And even though he admits he’s the underdog in this race, Kyrillos remains optimistic.
“There’s a Democratic generic advantage in this state. But I believe the country and New Jersey too is concerned about the economy, jobs … and things haven’t gotten any better with Bob Menendez voting the way he votes,” said Kyrillos.