New Jersey should vote out corrupt Menendez

For the first time since 1972, New Jersey Republicans find themselves with a real chance to elect a US senator — and rightly so, since incumbent Bob Menendez stands exposed as blatantly corrupt. Which is why The Post is happy to endorses GOP challenger Bob Hugin.

Hugin probably wouldn’t stand much chance in deep-blue Jersey. But Menendez has richly earned his massive unpopularity with Garden State voters.

Hugin promises New Jersey “a senator we can be proud of.” And Menendez is anything but that — simply put, he’s an embarrassment.

Although his trial for corruption ended with a hung jury, no one denies that Menendez received lavish gifts — free vacations, watches and $600,000 in campaign donations — from Solomon Melgen, a wealthy eye doctor.

Just as no one denies that he intervened with federal agencies on behalf of Melgen (later convicted in a $73 million Medicare fraud scheme), including obtaining visas for the doctor’s “girlfriends” from Brazil, Ukraine and the Dominican Republic.