Tuesday's win included an unexpectedly wide margin of victory. During the last week, Republican Douglas Forrester of West Windsor was closing in on Corzine fast. It was clear that Corzine would have to score well with the traditional Democratic bases - cities, minorities and women.
While the turnout in Republican strongholds was tepid, it was more brisk in urban areas. In the last several weeks, the Corzine camp launched a large get-out-the-vote push in traditionally Democratic counties including Hudson, Essex and Camden.
In those three counties, Corzine beat Forrester by over 150,000 votes. In Hudson County, Corzine bested Forrester by about 60,000 votes.
According to a survey by the Associated Press and its polling partner, Ipsos, Corzine won two-thirds of the Hispanic vote and nearly the entire black vote statewide.
Menendez's statement
All of this bodes very well for U.S. Rep. and Hoboken resident Robert Menendez, who was Corzine's campaign co-chairman.
Now that Corzine has won, he has to select a replacement for his Senate seat. Jockeying to replace him is Menendez, a Union City native and former Union City mayor and Board of Education president.
"For 31 years, I have fought for the interests of average New Jerseyans, first on my local school board, then in the halls of Trenton, and now in Congress," Menendez said in a statement at the end of election week. "I would be honored to continue to fight for them in the United States Senate."
Whoever Corzine appoints to fill his seat this January will have a distinct advantage in the special election in November for a six-year term.
The fact that Menendez helped deliver the urban and Hispanic vote could go a long way to persuading Corzine to pick him.
Menendez, 51, was elected to Congress in 1992. He is one of the highest ranking members of the House Democratic leadership and has a reputation as a prolific fundraiser.
Both Menedez and Corzine now live in uptown Hoboken.
Corzine has been quiet about who he will select, and has said repeatedly that he had made no promises. Menendez's competitors are likely Rep. Robert Andrews, who lives in Haddon Heights and represents Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, and Rep. Frank Pallone of Long Branch, who represents Middlesex County.
Another possible selection could be Gov. Richard Codey. He has publicly said that he is not interested in the job, but his soaring popularity makes him an intriguing option.
Whoever is selected is in for a battle next year. Tom Kean Jr., a state senator and son of the former governor, has already said he will seek the Republican nomination for the Senate next year.
Local politicos comment on Corzine win
Following the election, local politicians chimed in with their excitement about a Corzine governorship.
State Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny said that Hudson County came out in huge numbers for Corzine.
"I think Hudson County's position will be enhanced because the relationship that Corzine has with the political community, as well as with the electorate," Kenny said.
Kenny added that this close relationship is illustrated by the fact that Hudson County had the highest percentage of voters that cast their ballot for Corzine of any county in the state.
"We believe that will have outstanding access to the new governor," he added.
Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and largely funded his own election to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Kenny said that Menendez would make an excellent U.S. senator.
"He's obviously on a very short list, and to use a baseball analogy, he is a five-tool player," Kenny said. "He can hit, hit with power, run, field, and throw. He will eloquently articulate the Democratic message, and he will be a powerful voice in contesting the message of President Bush."
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