The smell of hot dogs was in the air in the ballroom of the Hilton Newark Gateway hotel on the night of June 3. At the podium, incumbent U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) was all smiles after defeating his primary challenger U.S. Representative Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) by a close to 2-1 margin. Sen. Lautenberg had ordered up the hot dogs, apparently one of his favorites. And with the whole Garden State watching, he was enjoying his triumph. With relish.

"New Jersey needs a U.S. Senator with the record and experience to fight everyday for the change in direction that we need," he told cheering supporters after winning the nomination for an unparalleled fifth Senate term. "And that’s what I’m prepared to do."

"I’m not sure that we’ll do a lot better (in November) than we did tonight," continued Lautenberg, referring to the unofficial result of 63 percent to 37 percent over Andrews. "But the scoreboard indicates a very nice victory."

As Andrews concedes, Rothman ruminates about results

Political observers have attributed Lautenberg’s decisive triumph to several factors. Andrews, who has represented his South Jersey district since 1990, entered the primary race on April 2, giving him barely two months to wage a statewide campaign against an entrenched, well-funded incumbent. Others pointed to Andrews’ lack of support from the New Jersey Democratic congressional delegation, whose members were miffed that Andrews broke ranks to launch his own re-election bid after he had endorsed Lautenberg last October.

In defeat, Andrews was gracious as he addressed his supporters in Cherry Hill, urging the crowd to now shift their support to Lautenberg.

"I’m supporting him and I’m urging you to do the same," he said.

Andrews also made special note of his North Jersey backers during his concession speech, including Bergen County-based State Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), Andrews’ most prominent county supporter. Sarlo issued a brief statement following Lautenberg’s victory.

"The primaries are over, and we will gladly work with Senator Lautenberg on his campaign for re-election this November," he wrote.

On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) stood with Lautenberg early and strongly. He reportedly exerted pressure on Bergen County Democratic Organization chairman Joseph Ferriero to stay the course with Lautenberg when Ferriero allegedly flirted with defection to Andrews’ camp.

Speaking from the ballroom podium before Lautenberg arrived, Rothman reiterated his support for New Jersey’s senior senator.

"People have asked was this election a referendum on the powers of the North versus the powers of the South," he said, a reference to the perceived regional divide in the race. "This was a referendum on Senator Frank Lautenberg. This was a referendum on whether the people of New Jersey thought that Senator Lautenberg was still the strongest, most effective member of the Congressional delegation from New Jersey we send down to Washington."

One North Jersey politician with more than his share of statewide experience also questioned the concept of a bisected New Jersey.

"There is no rift," said State Senate President Richard Codey (D-West Orange) in an interview. Codey served as Governor from November 2004 to January 2006 following former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s resignation. "People in the North don’t look down on the South. Some politicians will use that, but it’s a bogus issue…We’re one state…Obviously, some people in southern New Jersey voted for Lautenberg in more numbers than they thought."

In an interview with Hackensack Chronicle on the ballroom floor, Rep. Rothman emphasized his belief that not only would intra-party wounds be salved, but that a reconciliation of New Jersey Democrats would ultimately aid the congressman’s most prominent national ally.

"The Democratic Party is going to reunite behind Senator Lautenberg very easily and very quickly," he said. "We know that we cannot give the Republicans another seat in the U.S. Senate, a seat that they would use to thwart the change agenda of the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. (Lautenberg endorsed Obama during comments to the press after his victory speech) … He is more effective now than he has ever been."

Lautenberg looks to November

During his victory speech, Lautenberg began to make his case that he would still be a more effective representative of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate than GOP candidate Dick Zimmer (R-Flemington), a congressman from to 1991 to 1997. Zimmer defeated Morris County-based State Senator Joseph Pennacchio and Ramapo College economics professor Murray Sabrin of Fort Lee in the Republican primary.

"New Jersey’s senator needs to be an advocate for the people, not…someone who made their living supporting special interests," he said, a dig at Zimmer’s recent work as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.

In an interview with Hackensack Chronicle shortly after his speech, Lautenberg, 84, addressed another issue that seemed not to work for Rep. Andrews, 50, during the primary campaign and may not work for Zimmer, 63, in the general election: his age.

"People didn’t give a darn about my age," Lautenberg said. "They know that I’m vigorous. They know that I’ve got plenty of energy…I’m invigorated by the work…I disagree with John McCain on lots of policy issues, but his age has nothing to do with it. By the way, this job isn’t term-limited."

When asked what he expected in his race against Dick Zimmer, Lautenberg summed it up in one word.

"Victory," he said. "Whatever it takes to defend my record, I’m going to do it. This is the first time I think that anybody has gone from lobbying to the Senate. Usually, it’s the other path. It will be interesting."

Lautenberg now, Rothman later?

While Lautenberg was the featured attraction on primary day, many political observers believe that Rep. Rothman’s star is rising. Rothman, 55, a six-term congressman, originally was the object of ridicule for his July 2007 endorsement of Obama for president. He is now enjoying respect as one of Obama’s regional campaign co-chairman and as one of his superdelegates going into the August nominating convention in Denver.

Rothman has also received plaudits from Sen. Lautenberg, in part for his reported role in suppressing a primary campaign rebellion in his Bergen backyard. Lautenberg paused during his victory speech to call Rothman "an iron man" for his cause.

On primary night, the Newark hotel ballroom was filled with several politicians whose names have been bandied about as potential future Senate seat successors to Lautenberg, including U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D- Long Branch) and Newark mayor Cory Booker. When asked by Hackensack Chronicle if he is going to the Senate next, Rothman stopped and smiled.

"We’re enjoying Senator Lautenberg’s victory, and I couldn’t be happier," he said.