New Jersey's GOP Senate Candidate Just Made It Clear: He Wants Voters to Struggle to Get to the Polls
On Monday, New Jersey GOP Senate candidate Bob Hugin stated at a rally that he is hoping for "Republican weather" on Election Day tomorrow:
Hugin, via @nateschweber, pointed to the rainy forecast for Tuesday as "Republican weather" at a rally tonight in T… https://t.co/Idt3KmP2Q1— Nick Corasaniti (@Nick Corasaniti)1541464927.0
In other words, Hugin is openly relishing the idea that poor people without good transportation will be unable to make it to the polls tomorrow — and swing the election to him. A reprehensible attitude in a democratic system.
Weather forecasts for tomorrow are indeed nasty, with showers and thunderstorms along much of the eastern seaboard and upper Midwest, and possibly even snow in North Dakota and Minnesota. And studies have suggested that not only does inclement weather reduce voter turnout among vulnerable populations, it may even actually change people's voting preferences.
Hugin, a health care executive, is challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. New Jersey is poised to vote deep blue this year, amid hatred of President Donald Trump and the GOP tax law, and Republicans risk losing two to four House seats there. The Senate race, on the other hand, has been a bit closer, due largely to federal corruption charges against Menendez that were eventually dropped. The latest polls still show Menendez ahead by an average of 9 points.
Thus, "Republican weather" could be all that Hugin has left to hope for.
