Voters in New Jersey gave U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez a second term.
The Democratic incumbent defeated Republican challenger state Sen. Joe Kyrillos despite the challenger’s friendship with Gov. Chris Christie.
Kyrillos, a veteran Trenton lawmaker, never quite found his footing in the lopsided race. Kyrillos' low-key challenge gained little attention statewide.
The 58-year-old Menendez entered the race with obvious advantages. He's got President Barack Obama at the top of the party's ticket, he's known by more voters and he out raised his opponent nearly 3-to-1.
The last time New Jersey residents sent a Republican to the Senate was in the 1970s.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
