Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler says he will challenge twelve-term Rep. Jim Saxton next year, setting up another competitive House race in a state where incumbents were expected to have a free ride until the 2010 census.

"Last November, the American people sent a clear message to Washington that we want a change in direction in Iraq and here at home," Adler said in a statement released today. "Unfortunately our Congressman, Jim Saxton refuses to listen. It's time for a change, it's time for New Jersey families to have a Member of Congress who fights for their values in Washington."

Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez were among 25 Senate Democrats who voted against a resolution supporting Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. military forces in Iraq, and condemning personal attacks on Petreaus "and all members of the United States Armed Forces." 

"This from the party that claims to support our troops," said David Randall, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

PoliticsNJ.com's Elected Officials Power List -- the fifty most powerful men and women holding elected offfice in New Jersey today -- will be released today: ten names every half hour starting at 11AM.