(06/01/06) UNION CITY ? Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and state Senator Thomas Kean Jr. (R-District 21) made public Senate race comments Thursday, with one candidate having a smoother appearance than the other.

Menendez kicked off a pre-primary rally in his hometown of Union City. He told cheering supporters in his hometown that he?s proud to serve residents as a senator. Menendez took over the remainder of Governor Jon Corzine?s (D-NJ) Senate term once Corzine was elected to his current office. At the appearance, the Senator bashed the Bush administration and Republicans for the Iraq situation and oil prices.

Kean took Menendez?s rally as an opportunity to criticize his opponent in public. On the steps of the Hudson County Courthouse in Jersey City, Kean called Menendez unethical and claimed he was a political party boss. However, the state senator had a tough time speaking over the loud jeers of about 50 protesters. In addition, workers at the courthouse started mowing the lawn right as Kean took the podium to speak.

Related information: News 12 New Jersey's coverage of the Tom Kean Jr. appearance