New Jersey Court OKs Group's Petition to Recall U.S. Senator

Earlier today, a three-judge New Jersey state appellate court panel gave the go-ahead for an effort to recall Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. The petition was submitted by a pair of conservative Tea Party groups--NJ Tea Parties United and the Sussex County Tea Party. With the ruling, the group may now begin its collection of the 1.3 million voter signatures needed to put a political recall on the New Jersey ballot.

The court did not weigh-in with an opinion of whether NJ residents have a constitutional right to recall a federal lawmaker. Instead, the court said it would consider the question of constitutionality if the petition drive succeeds and effort to oust Sen. Menendez moves forward.