Hugin campaigns as Menendez leads the polls

<p>Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin was campaigning in his hometown of Summit Thursday evening, but recent polls show that Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Menendez leads in the polls.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 26, 2018, 2:56 AM

Updated 2,249 days ago

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Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin was campaigning in his hometown of Summit Thursday evening, but recent polls show that Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Menendez leads in the polls.
Hugin spent much of the event criticizing politics in Washington, D.C., touting his own character and trying to distance himself from President Donald Trump.
“I am different. I am pro-choice. I am pro-marriage equality. Pro equal pay for equal work,” Hugin said. “That’s what we have to convince the people of New Jersey.”
Hugin has lived in Summit for nearly 30 years. Many of the residents of that town voted for President Trump. But Hugin may need much more from the people of New Jersey in order to defeat Menendez, who has been senator for 12 years.
“I’m open with who I am,” Hugin said. “But I’m also thoughtful…I listen to people.”
Menendez has been critical of his opponent, painting him as a greedy drug company boss. Hugin was the CEO of the pharmaceutical company Celgene.
“This is a man who made his fortune price gouging cancer patients,” Menendez said.
Democrats have been spending millions to support Menendez, and the numbers show that he may need it. Although he is leading in the polls, they are close.
“I don’t think they’re scared of nervous. It think they’re just desperate,” Hugin said.
"The bottom line is I've had all types of poll numbers. A whole bunch by double digits,” Menendez said.
Hugin has spent $20 million of his own money on his campaign. Most of it has gone toward advertisements reminding voters about the ethics violations against Menendez.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.