Bob Hugin spent $40 million to lose a U.S. Senate candidate bid to accused sexual deviant, Democrat Robert Menendez. Menendez, federal prosecutors claimed took flights to the Dominican Republican to have sex with teenage prostitutes. He did that through his relationship with disgraced Florida doc Salomon Melgen.
Three women levied charges against Menendez. The Menendez trial ended in a mistrial due to jury deadlocks. Hardly a full exoneration considering Menendez is a public official. The loss came with a heavy financial price for Hugin, $40,000,000.
Now, Hugin, who lost to Menendez in 2018 54% to 42% is working for Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign against Governor Phil Murphy.
“Bob Hugin is a self-made successful businessman, Marine Corps veteran, and the best possible leader for the NJGOP at this time. His fundraising capability, organizational skills, and proven leadership qualities will usher in a new era for the Republican Party in New Jersey,” Ciattarelli said. “I am proud to have Bob as a member of this team and look forward to seeing the incredible momentum and success that we can accomplish together. The goal is to win this November. Bob can help us do that up and down the ticket.”
President Donald Trump was no fan of Bob Hugin although Hugin donated six figures to Trump’s campaign in 2016. He also served as Trump’s New Jersey finance chairman.
In the end, Trump endorsed his opponent Menendez in the final hour after Hugin issued unkind words about the President and later said Hugin lost because he did not embrace Trump.
“I think there has been much of the president’s rhetoric that has been inflammatory,” Hugin said in an interview during his 2018 campaign. “He’d have to speak for himself. I don’t know what his intentions are. But my observation is I find some of the rhetoric inflammatory.”
When asked if he was a ‘Trump Republican’, Hugin responded, “I’m an independent Republican.”
“Candidates who embraced our message of low taxes, low regulations, low crime, strong borders, and great judges excelled,” Trump said in a press conference after naming Hugin as a candidate who lost his election for not embracing Trump. “On the other hand, you had some that decided to ‘let’s stay away.’ They did very poorly.”
“In New Jersey, I think he could have done well, but didn’t work out too good,” Trump added. “Bob Hugin, I feel badly because I think that’s something that could have been won.”