Robert Hugin’s potential candidacy comes as Republicans have had a hard time recruiting candidates to challenge Democrat Bob Menendez. | Getty Pharma exec meeting with GOP officials about potential run against Menendez

Pharmaceutical executive Robert Hugin is sounding more and more like a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Hugin, the executive chairman of Celgene, has been meeting with New Jersey’s Republican county chairs, according to an email he sent all of them Friday morning.


“As many of you know, I am in the process of considering being a candidate for U.S. Senate," Hugin wrote, "I want to first thank all of you for being so supportive and generous with your time over the last couple of weeks. For those who I haven't had a chance to speak with, I hope we are able to connect in the next week or so.”

Hugin’s potential candidacy comes as Republicans have had a hard time recruiting candidates to challenge Democrat Bob Menendez, despite Menendez having been through a 2 1/2 month corruption trial that ended in a mistrial in November. The Department of Justice announced Friday that it intends to retry Menendez and his co-defendant, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen.

A Hugin candidacy would also signal that even though former Gov. Chris Chrisite has left office, his mark remains on the New Jersey GOP. Hugin was a major donor to Christie and his company has many close ties to the former governor.

A former Marine who lives in Summit, Hugin grew up in Menendez’s hometown of Union City. He’s also wealthy, having made $22 million in 2014 alone — signaling the potential for self-funding.

Still, a campaign against Menendez would be an uphill battle. Menendez’s popularity took a big hit during his corruption trial, and in a recent poll, 51 percent of voters said he does not deserve reelection. But his approval ratings also took hits in the lead-up to his trial, but then recovered.

Hugin is also a supporter of President Donald Trump, who is deeply unpopular in New Jersey. And the state hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1972.

“Despite what some say and think, 2018 can be victorious for the Republican Party in New Jersey. Whether I am a candidate or not, I look forward to being part of that victory,” Hugin wrote in his email to the county chairs.

Hugin said that if he runs, he will focus on taxes, the economy and health care.

“I want you all to know that, should I undertake this endeavor, I would do so with a singular focus of serving the people of New Jersey. Our state needs and deserves a U.S. Senator we can be proud of,” Hugin wrote. “This year is our opportunity to send to Washington a serious and forward-looking leader able to represent our State at this critical time in our country's history."

Few Republicans have so far signed up to run against Menendez. One declared candidate, Richard Pezzullo, unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination to challenge Democrat Cory Booker in 2014.