WASHINGTON -- The New Jersey Democratic State Committee, fresh off its two-day pep rally in support of embattled U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, quickly sent out a fundraising email following Thursday's hearing on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

The letter, signed by party executive director Liz Gilbert, cited Menendez's opposition to Kavanaugh as a reason he needed to be re-elected.

Gilbert cited Thursday's testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her while both were in high school.

"Watching the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was devastating, heartbreaking, and proved why, on top of all of the lying, Brett Kavanaugh should be denied a Supreme Court seat," Gilbert said.

"Here in our state, which 1.8 million survivors of sexual violence call home, we need a senator who believes survivors -- Bob Menendez is that champion."

Menendez is running against former Celgene Corp. executive Bob Hugin, who has given his campaign $15.5 million through June 30 and has been airing millions of dollars worth of attack ads.

Hugin, who contributed to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, called Kavanaugh "an incredibly qualified, talented jurist," though said he hadn't made up his mind whether he would support him.

In asking for donations to the state party, Gilbert also mentioned the need to support U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a member of the judiciary panel who praised Ford as "heroic" for coming forward.

Booker also opposes Kavanaugh's nomination.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook