Lautenberg will not seek re-election next year

[hughee99]

12. On the controversy,

If I recall correctly, Toricelli was having some personal troubles (corruption and scandal allegations) that came about after the primary but before the general election that would have made it very tough for him to win. After the date set out by the state of NJ to have the candidates set for the election, Toricelli dropped out and the Dems drafted Lautenberg to take his place, but according to NJ law, it was too late and Toricelli was supposed to stay on the ballot. They took it to the NJ supreme court where they threw out the law and allowed FL to be on the ballot. Some said justice was served since the Dems should be able to put up whoever they want (even though FL wasn't they guy they voted for in the primary), others called it a bait-and-switch where the candidate was dropping out at the last second because the polls weren't good.

I'm not from NJ, but this is what I recall.