Menendez reportedly moving up to Senate

TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov.-elect Jon Corzine has reportedly selected Rep. Robert Menendez to fill his seat in the U.S. Senate.

Corzine is expected to make an official announcement Friday. WCBS-TV in New York reports that New Jersey's other senator, Frank Lautenberg, has confirmed the choice.

Menendez was one of three Democratic congressmen who were reported to be on Corzine's short list. One, Rob Andrews, who represents a South Jersey district, has promised to run in next year's primary, the Bergen Record reported.

If Corzine does the expected, Menendez would be the first Hispanic senator from the Northeast, joining Mel Martinez of Florida and Ken Salazar of Colorado.

Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, grew up in the rough and tumble world of Hudson County politics. He served as mayor of Union City and became the first Hispanic state senator in New Jersey before running for Congress in 1992.