West New York Mayor Felix Roque is endorsing state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13) over U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in the contest for U.S. Senate.

"I know Joe Kyrillos and he is a good man," Roque told PolitickerNJ.com. "I have known Kyrillos for many years. He is a friend of mine."

Roque vanquished incumbent West New York Mayor Silverio "Sal" Vega in last year's municipal elections.

Vega ran with the hearty endorsement of Menendez, the former mayor of neighboring Union City, and the victor said he doesn't forget.

"When I needed my friend to endorse me, he endorsed Sal Vega," said Roque, a medical doctor. "My heart always goes to the people who do the right thing."

A past donor to Republican causes, conservative Democrat Roque said his endorsement of Kyrillos over Menendez does not change his party affiliation.

"I'm a Democrat," said the close ally of Gov. Chris Christie, who hosted a town hall for Christie in West New York late last year.

The mayor described himself as a past vigorous supporter of Menendez who was disappointed that the U.S. Senator decided to support Vega in a local scrap.

"When I needed my superhero, he wasn't there," said Roque, who intends to support U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-13), former mayor of West New York, who did not publicly endorse a 2011 candidate for mayor.