A new Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll shows approval of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez holding steady in his home state at 41 percent, despite reports that he accepted illegal campaign donations and allegedly hired underage prostitutes.
In January, Menendez returned $58,000 to Dr. Salomon Melgen, the Florida eye doctor and Democratic donor who funded some of his trips to the Dominican Republic in 2010. (RELATED: Former Obama spokesman tells media to “move on” from Menendez story)
The poll shows Menendez enjoys the same approval rating he did a year ago, before the reports emerged.
Approximately 68 percent of respondents said they had heard at least a little about the allegations. Of those who had heard about the allegations, 24 percent believed Menendez was involved in wrongdoing, while 11 percent believed he was not.
Most respondents said they either had not heard enough to form an opinion or had heard nothing at all. The poll did not ask if respondents had heard allegations Menendez solicited prostitutes in the Caribbean.