TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- New Jersey Governor-elect Jon Corzine has selected Rep. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., to replace him in the U.S. Senate, the New York Times reported.
Two Democratic strategists, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper they had been briefed by Corzine aides that the governor-elect had decided to appoint Menendez, and that they expect a formal announcement of the appointment as early as Thursday.
Menendez, 51, the son of Cuban immigrants who grew up in a tenement in Union City, is the third-highest ranking Democrat in House of Representatives. He will serve out the one year remaining in Corzine's Senate term and is widely expected to run for a full-six year term next November, the newspaper said.
Corzine was elected governor in November.
