>> Tonight, Senator Menendez's checkered past.

A political career spanning five decades.

Political controversies dating back to their early 1980's.

>> Nobody else has this kind of checkered background.

>> Also, watching from the sidelines.

Many in New Jersey's Latino community staying silent in their support for the embattled senior senator.

>> Any calls for resignation today, or in the last few days, or mature.

>> Donald Duck?

Chris Christie calling out the former president for ducking out of this second presidential primary debate.

>> Nobody is going to call you Donald Trump anymore.

We are going to call you Donald Trump.

Briana: Faces of addiction.

>> Every poster, every child, every loved one has a story.

>> The poster project that shed light -- that sheds light on the opioid epidemic.

Announcer: Funding for "NJ Spotlight News" funded by the -- And by the PSEG foundation.

♪ Announcer: from NJ PBS, this is the news with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: You will have to pry the Senate seat from his white knuckle hands.

Bob Menendez today privately addressed fellow Democrats from the upper chamber during a closed-door meeting.

Reports say he again vowed to remain in his seat, casting votes on behalf of New Jersey.

That is despite federal corruption charges and a growing course of his colleagues calling for him to resign.

Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who is first to call for Menendez's resignation skipped the meeting.

Writing on social media he was not interested in an explanation for the gold bars and cash found in the senator's home.

Fetterman adding he is open to hearing an expulsion resolution to get Menendez out of office and call this a pattern of corruption.

Senior writer Colleen O'Dea dug into his past and put together a timeline from his first public office at the age of 20.

Two big-time political controversies.

Colleen, you went way deep into the archives for this.

Take us back.

You start in 1974, which was a to mulch was time, politically, for our nation.

That is where Senator Menendez's career kicks off.

>> Is only 20 years old.

Fresh out of high school.

He somehow gets connected with the political machine of William Musto, one of the infamous political machine leaders in Hudson County history.

He allies with Musto, gets elected to the Board of Education, he is on the board and winds up getting hired by the board to be the board secretary.

He has seen some irregularities in finances, and low and behold, we wind up with a corruption trial against Musto, who was his mentor.

Some saying he was a father figure.

Menendez winds up against Musto in court.

Briana: How ironic his career starts as a witness in a corruption case.

Where does he get the bug for political life?

How does he launch this prestigious career?

>> He actually runs against Musto in that year, 1982.

He doesn't win.

Musto, despite being convicted, wins.

He tries again in 1986 and does win.

From there, it is off like a rocket.

He moves into the assembly.

He moves up quickly when there is a death, into the Senate, then redistricting happens in 1992 and suddenly there is an Hispanic concentrated voting district that is right in his backyard.

He runs for the house.

The incumbent decides not to run.

He is easily elected.

Briana: Take us up to when he first has his run in with being investigated.

John Corzine wins the governor.

Menendez moves to a senate seat.

Is this when we start seeing prosecutors investigate him?

>> This is his first election on his own.

In the couple of months before, suddenly there is this allegation about his renting property to a nonprofit that receives federal funds.

Chris Christie, once our governor, happens to be the U.S. attorney.

He looks into it and nothing happens.

It seems every time he runs for election, something new comes up.

In 2012, we had allegations about prostitutes from the Dominican republic.

None of that was founded.

Briana: That never bared out.

>> But, that led to the investigation in 2015 that led to his person -- his first indictment.

Briana: What does it tell us when you look at his timeline of being in politics about how this may set him up for another trial?

>> Nobody else has this kind of checkered background.

Or these investigations.

If you look deeply -- deeply at what happened in 2017, the attorney thought they had a slam dunk case and it was a mistrial.

Everybody now, things are different.

People are now calling for him to resign, which they didn't in 2017.

Could he beat this?

Briana: That is the question.

Colleen, thank you.

You can look through the full timeline and all of the allegations that have doubted Menendez's career on NJSpotlightNews.com.

Senator Menendez not only declared in essence, but claimed he is being targeted due to racial bias against Latinos.

He is the first Latino to ever lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has been a longtime advocate for the community.

Despite the stunning corruption allegations against him, it appears many of his supporters in his base say they are disheartened, but they are stopping short of calling for his resignation.

Brenda Flanagan reports.

>> Let me just say a few words.

>> When Bob Menendez filed a defense, he spoke in English and Spanish.

Over decades of political service, the son of Cuban immigrant -- Cuban immigrants never lost focused on Latinos and they have showed unwavering support.

This week, many refused demands from Democrats for him to step down.

>> from our perspective, any calls for resignation today are premature.

That is what we think.

>> We don't have any federal representation at all at this point, right?

So at the end of the day, you are our community -- to be fighting each other.

>> New Jersey Latino action network says their community finds these allegations disturbing and they merit a thorough and fair investigation.

The accused has stated with bitterness, it is not lost on me how quick some are rushing to judge a Latino and pushing out of his seat.

I not going anywhere.

That is getting pushed back.

>> I don't see anything today that indicates this is ethnically, politically motivated.

>> Latino advocates say Menendez deserves his day and work, noting his first corruption trial ended in a hung jury.

This time, the evidence looks damming.

Well a jury believe the assertion that he personally stashed all of that cash because of cultural distrust and government?

>> My parents, although they make when -- although they make minimum wage, they always kept a significant amount of money in their house.

They were the stressful of banks.

>> Latinos comprise 27% of New Jersey population.

>> He is always thinking about what is in the best interest of New Jersey.

This is not going to be a distraction to him.

And how that is going to affect us.

>> Nobody is putting their neck on the line for him.

I think it is a real indication of how outrageous the charges are, how there is really no defending him.

Even among his friends.

Latinos who are trying to hold and amass political power, this is a big loss.

>> Michael Rasmussen points to a new poll, this data not broken down, showing Menendez with a scant 8% favorable rating in New Jersey versus 74% unfavorable.

It is from the vote vets, which supports Andy Kim who launched a primary challenge against Menendez just hours after the indictment wasn't sealed.

>> It is such a different can -- it is such a difficult moment for Latinos.

It is bigger than him.

It is about the entire community.

>> Patricia Campos says those issues run from health equity to housing to immigration and more.

She respects the Menendez legacy and hope he ways that carefully, but she sees the challengers lining up >>.

We are very carefully positioning the interests of the Latino community as we think about the next 10-25 years.

>> She would like to see a Latino representing New Jersey in Congress.

Briana: Republican candidates appeared in California Wednesday for the second 2024 GOP presidential primary debate.

It was a chaotic event, by most accounts.

Seven GOP contenders fought for airtime and just to be heard over each other.

Several delivered memorable moments and one-liners that will likely stick around.

The party's front-runner, former President Trump, he did not appear onstage stage alongside his rivals.

A Senior correspondent reports that does not seem to be making a difference in his support.

>> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> Interrupting and talking over each other seemed to be the theme of last night's debate, this second of this primary season and the second that Donald Trump skipped.

Republican voters looking for one strong winner came away with only a few one-liners.

>> every time I hear you, I feel dumber.

>> Donald, you can't help yourself.

Let me tell you what is going to happen, no one up here is going to call you Donald Trump anymore, we are going to call you Donald duck.

>> The Donald Duck was memorable because it made action on twitter.

His problem is, it is not translation -- it is not translating into further movement in the polls.

>> Former Governor Chris Christie has a lot of ground to cover to stay in the race.

Christie worked hard to have a standout moment last night.

Pallet today -- leaves he was the strongest debater.

>> He was direct.

He was substantive on many issues.

Education, foreign-policy, crime, government shutdown.

The governor did well, saying it is time to vote former President Trump off the island.

>> Kristi calling out former President Trump, Ron DeSantis took more stabs at Trump than in the past.

This one over the criticism over the Florida abortion ban.

>> he is missing in action tonight.

He should be here explaining his comments to try to say that pro-life protections are somehow a terrible thing.

>> Some have called the Santos the winner of last night's debate.

Others say his performance just likely stopped the bleeding for the candidate once thought to be a sure bet against Trump.

>> There was nothing wrong with his performance last night.

Still, there wasn't any star power that says, he is the one we should coalesce around.

>> The Santos and Nikki Haley seem to be the frontrunners at this point.

Nikki Haley came out swinging.

>> you band fracking.

You band offshore drilling.

>> She is a credible challenger.

I think someone who, if she were to get through this stage, could challenge former President Trump.

>> Ultimately, potentially take on President Biden.

In one of the more awkward moments, during Chris Christie's rant against the teachers union, he took this jab at Jill Biden.

>> When you have the president of the United States sleeping with a member of the teachers union, there is no chance you can take the stranglehold away.

>> Prompting this cringe really response from Mike Pence.

>> I have been sleeping with a teacher for 38 years.

>> I would rather.

-- I would rather them not talk about who they are sleeping with.

>> All of the candidate's political footwork is akin to a tree falling with no one to react.

>> A lot of the shtick that folks use, including Chris Christie, don't work if the front-runner isn't standing there on stage with you.

>> Ashley Koning says the field really needs to narrow.

>> If there is any significant action at the Republican party not want Donald Trump, they are going to have to come together, unify, have the candidates have a talk with one another about who is going to drop out of the race and who is going to make way for the other candidate.

>> That conversation is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Briana: It was a raucous school board meeting in Hanover Township Tuesday night.

That is the district where the debate over parental rights and transgender student policies set off a firestorm.

During a second reading Tuesday, board members voted to repeal what is known as policy 57-56.

Introduced in 2018, to prevent schools from outing transgender and non-binary students to their families.

It was part of an effort to make a more inclusive environment.

In May, Hanover adopted a new policy were hiring educators to disclose a student's transgender identity to their parents, prompting the Attorney General to file a civil-rights complaint against the district, requesting an emergency court order to stop Hanover from carrying out the new policy.

Hanover joins other districts including cold snack who have abolished its altogether, as other districts are considering appeals.

Supporters say the move makes parents part of the conversation.

Opponents say it is anti-LGBTQ and illuminates other protections.

In business, state environmental leaders are putting their money where their mouth is.

Today, highlighting about $10 million that will be spent to offer more financial incentives for residents to buy electric vehicles and to expand the charting infrastructure two of the biggest -- >> The train has left the station.

Have we taken a leadership position at the front of the train?

Are we getting dragged by the train?

This is New Jersey.

We lead.

Nobody drags us anywhere.

>> DEP Commissioner Sean Latourette doesn't want New Jersey want to get dragged.

That may be why the state has added $10 million to the budget to promote electric vehicles and charting infrastructure.

Promoting state and federal incentives in Lawrence, it Township with five units of all cars that are electric.

>> We are taking leadership on this issue.

Electric vehicles are good for the economy.

They argued for public health and the environment.

>> The options are not that obvious.

A lot of people suffer from this -- are the options out there?

>> According to DEP, more than 120,000 DVDs are roaming New Jersey.

Drivers can charge at one of two full-service ports, mostly located in North Jersey and off the turnpike.

Those numbers are higher than even a few years ago.

Leaders hope state and federal incentives bring more charging stations.

>> the whole of New Jersey government is committed to finding opportunities to partner to move us toward our goals to a 0% omissions future.

>> You can save up to $12,000 on a new electric vehicle through the available incentives.

I am paying less per month for that new electric vehicle, which is super cool, than I was from my previous vehicle.

>> Latourette has also criticized charging stations for not being clean.

>> They are small pair they do not leak.

Petrochemicals into our water table.

They don't result in abandoned automotive facilities that towns have to take up on their tax rolls and responsible parties refuse to clean.

>> Florence is not the only municipality to electrify its fleet.

Go Trenton started up yesterday, offering two dollar rides in all electric shuttles.

Latourette says stitching gas is good for public health and the environment.

>> We had better prepare ourselves, yes, to meet the challenge of climate change, but most importantly to push back on the increasing health risks that are largely invisible.

>> Not always invisible.

>> When the sky is orange, it is too late.

Everything we do every day creates pollution.

The way that we run our lives, our businesses, our governments.

>> Which might run a little cleaner thanks to state and federal help.

Briana: On Wall Street, the turbulence in the treasury market appears to have died down.

Here is how stocks closed today.

Be sure to tune in this weekend to NJ Business Beat with Raven Santana.

This way, Hispanic Heritage month, highlighting how the Hispanic business community contributes to the state economy and the barriers the community faces in running a small business.

Watch on YouTube Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ♪ Briana: Finally, putting a face on addiction.

The black poster project began watcher years ago as one mother's powerful way to honor the life of her son who battled with and lost his life to addiction.

It is a striking addiction of -- bringing awareness to the lives taken by the disease.

Melissa Rose Cooper reports the project started with 50 posters and continues to grow, now containing close to 700 portraits.

>> when I tell a story, I always make engine that he never took any classes for his SATs, never studied.

He was out partying.

He walked in with no calculator, no pencil and he got two wrong on the math portion.

He was really smart.

>> One of the many characteristics that brings a smile to Dorothy's face.

Her son passed away in 2015 after battling drug addiction.

>> He was in and out of rehab a number of times for last month, he was in Florida.

He was clean for a year.

We went down there with him when he got his celebration ship.

We looked at each other, my husband and I, like, he did what he wanted to do.

He made that milestone.

And then I was not sure what would happen.

He relapsed.

>> In the process of trying to heal, she created what is now known as the black poster project.

>> We travel around New York and New Jersey and we up hundreds of posters like you see behind me.

We are just trying to raise awareness for drug addiction and overdose deaths.

>> After launching, the project started with 50 posters.

Now, there are nearly 700 showing the many faces and stories of people around the country who have lost their lives to addiction.

>> Every poster, every child, every loved one has a story.

I was looking at these faces and it was really moving and incredible.

And helpful to me.

>> -- lost her son Patrick in 2019 and found out about the poster project while looking for ways to cope.

Seeing his face along with others was so powerful, Brooke decided she wanted to be a part of it too.

>> I look at that smile, and I am doing what he was unable to complete.

Before he passed, that was one of the things he said to me.

I want to go into the schools and I want to sit down with these kids and tell them, like scared straight, what it is like.

>> I feel that we, as a collective, are doing that for our beloved.

It puts purpose to the pain in some fashion.

The folks that have approached me and have come to the project, that have directly come as a result of hearing about yet, some of them it is too much.

By and large, they are like, this is amazing.

Thank you.

That is a small bit of solace.

>> People have the tendency to think that people taking drugs are dying from drugs or overdosing, that they deserve it.

That they have made a choice.

These people didn't want to die.

They made a mistake.

They made an error.

They just couldn't control where they were going.

I think it is important that people see these faces and take a look at them.

They are where they should have been, not at the end of their life, struggling with a powder or a needle.

>> Each poster has made at no cost of the family.

Their goal is to continue educating people on addiction crisis, but bring more healing to grieving loved ones while keeping the memories of those lost.

Briana: Before we leave you tonight, make sure you catch reporter's roundtable with David Cruz tomorrow.

David kicks off with Ashley Koning, founder of the Rutgers -- of politics for more on the fallout on the Menendez indictment of a plus what is at stake for statewide legislative races in November.

A panel of local reporters break down this week's political headlines.

Watch roundtable, Fridays at noon.

And a reminder, download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen anytime.

That is going to do it for us tonight.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire news team, thank you for being with us.

Have a great evening.

♪ Announcer: the members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child RWJ Barnabas health, let's be healthy together.

And Orsted.

Committed to the creation of a new, long-term, sustainable clean energy future for New Jersey.

>> Orsted will provide renewable offshore wind energy jobs, educational, supply, and economic opportunities for the Garden State.

Orsted.

Committed to the creation of a new, long-term, sustainable clean energy future for New Jersey.

Online at US.Orsted.com.

♪