Inquirer Editorial: Assessing Andrews

In 2008, having waited years to no avail for his party to anoint him a U.S. senator, Rep. Rob Andrews went for it, taking on the superannuated Sen. Frank Lautenberg in a primary. His challenge to New Jersey Democrats' reflexive aversion to popular democracy was as bold as it was unsuccessful. "I thought the voters of the state should have a choice in that election," he explained Tuesday.

Even as he made that appeal to the electorate, however, Andrews was circumventing the democratic process in his Camden County-based congressional district. His wife ran for his House seat, won the primary, and then bowed out after Lautenberg pulverized the congressman, allowing Andrews to secure reelection to the House - after repeatedly and categorically denying any intent to do so.

The episode was typical of Andrews, who announced an abrupt end to his long congressional career Tuesday. An intelligent and capable politician, he has often shown independence and audacity. But his achievements have been tarnished by a distinct disregard for ethical standards.

Though he represents one of the nation's safest Democratic districts, Andrews hasn't settled for party orthodoxy or backbench complacency. He was an active, influential legislator even as he angled for statewide office. He vigorously supported President George W. Bush's Iraq invasion as well as President Obama's health-care overhaul; he has been a friend to organized labor and deficit busters alike. First elected to the seat fairly easily in 1990, he hasn't faced a close election since.

The voters were willing to overlook not only the Andrewses' fox-trot in 2008, but also the congressman's more troubling use of campaign funds for apparently personal purposes. In 2009, he spent nearly $1,000 in campaign money on clothing, an expense federal officials deemed improper. In 2011, he spent $30,000 in campaign funds on a family trip to Scotland. Andrews defended the trip as being for the political purpose of attending a donor's wedding. But he repaid the expenses, and Congress' ethics office found "substantial reason to believe that he improperly used congressional campaign . . . funds for personal use."

Contradicting his critics, Andrews said the continuing House probe played "no role at all" in his decision to leave Congress this month and join the Philadelphia law firm Dilworth Paxson. Rather, he said he was seizing an opportunity that will help pay for his daughters' education. Unfortunately, it will also leave the district without representation until an election can be held.

Characteristically, South Jersey Democrats already seem to have chosen a successor. Soon after Andrews' announcement, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Camden Mayor Dana Redd, and Andrews himself endorsed State Sen. Donald Norcross of Camden County. Norcross is a former union official and a brother of Democratic power broker George E. Norcross 3d, who is one of the owners of The Inquirer's parent company.

Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor, also a Democrat, nevertheless told The Inquirer that he is considering a run for the seat. In a district that hasn't seen a true contest in nearly a quarter-century, a competitive campaign would be the best way to choose the next congressman. As both Minor and Andrews noted, the voters deserve a choice.