Rep. Andrews’s decision

Rep. Robert Andrews (N.J.) made a bold decision in giving up his safe House seat to challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) in the Democratic primary last week. Or did he?

Following Lautenberg’s crushing victory over Andrews, a prominent state legislator in South Jersey publicly called on the congressman to seek reelection for his House seat.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. told the Gloucester County Times, “He’s been an exemplary congressman. If he’s not representing the 1st district in Washington, we are going to miss him tremendously.”

Timing is extremely important in politics. Members of the House must decide if the timing is right for them to give up their seats to mount a campaign for the upper chamber.

Andrews believed that voters in New Jersey were tired of the 84-year-old Lautenberg. He was wrong.

Last week he repeatedly denied he would again seek his House seat even though his wife, Camille, won the Democratic primary to represent his district.

But just because she won the primary doesn’t mean she’ll be on the ballot come November. In the anything-can-happen world of New Jersey politics, Democratic leaders in the state will select their general-election candidate later this year. It could be Camille Andrews, Robert Andrews or some other congressional hopeful.

It is fishy that the idea of Robert Andrews running again is being floated. Before he launched his Senate bid, the lawmaker said he wasn’t going to run for the upper chamber.

Lautenberg’s campaign this spring alleged that Andrews was trying to have it both ways by running for the Senate and using his wife as a so-called placeholder. The congressman denied that his wife was keeping his seat warm.

Pressed on what he plans to do after his House term expires, Andrews told the Asbury Park Press, “I don’t know, but I’m going to enjoy every minute in my life.”

It should be noted that Lautenberg returned to the Senate after Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) resigned in the fall of 2002 amid ethics controversies. Over the protests of Republicans, and aided by the courts, Lautenberg was allowed to replace Torricelli as the Democratic candidate even though New Jersey law stipulated that a general-election candidate must withdraw at least 51 days before the election to be replaced on the ballot. Torricelli did not meet that deadline.

It is to be hoped that Andrews will not add to the questionable moves made by New Jersey politicians. The 50-year-old lawmaker has hinted that he may run for political office down the road. For now, he should serve out his term, resist calls to run for reelection, and enjoy some time off.