JERSEY CITY – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) provided the star power at Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise’s campaign kickoff and fundraiser tonight at Liberty House, staying close to the side of his veteran ally even as Senator Brian Stack (D-33) and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop set their sights on dislodging DeGise.

But it wasn’t just Hudson politics on Menendez’s mind tonight, as he also took questions about GOP challenger Bob Hugin’s attacks in the aftermath of a Senate Ethics Committee chastising Menendez, and considered his top of the ticket brand strength in New Jersey’s battleground districts, where Democrats hope to pick up seats.