Robert Torricelli

Robert Guy Torricelli (born August 27, 1951), nicknamed "the Torch," is an American politician from the U.S. state of New Jersey. Torricelli, a Democrat, served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the U.S. Senate. He served a single term in the Senate and decided not to run for reelection after being implicated in a bribery and campaign finance scandal involving David Chang, an imprisoned Chinese businessman.

Senate Career

He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, defeating Republican Congressman Dick Zimmer to obtain the seat vacated by the retirement of Democrat Senator Bill Bradley.

Related Topics:
1996 - Dick Zimmer - Bill Bradley

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In 2000 he headed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, presiding over one of their most successful years in some time (they picked up 5 seats).

Related Topics:
2000 - Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

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In the middle of an increasingly competitive race against Republican Doug Forrester, Torricelli decided not to run for reelection after being implicated in a bribery scandal with a businessman connected to China named David Chang. Torricelli stated that despite his leaving public office in a different way than he planned, he is proud of his service. Late in the election season in 2002, the New Jersey Supreme Court allowed the Democratic Party to replace Torricelli's name on the ballot with that of former U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.

Related Topics:
Doug Forrester - Bribery - China - 2002 - Frank Lautenberg

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In 2003 Torricelli raised money for Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry and also donated money to a 527 group called "Americans for Jobs and Health Care" that ran controversial ads juxtaposing candidate Howard Dean with Osama bin Laden.

Related Topics:
2003 - John Kerry - 527 - Howard Dean - Osama bin Laden

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