Hours after a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll came out showing him neck and neck with U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Hoboken) in a hypothetical 2012 match up, state Sen. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) issued a press release urging Menendez and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) to oppose the health care reform bill.

"After months of debate, numerous proposals and public meetings, it is clear the final national healthcare package is wrong for New Jersey," Kean said in a written statement.  "Our United States Senators should finally listen to the majority of New Jerseyans  and support a fresh approach to reforming our health insurance industry.  That starts with voting ‘No’ on the proposal working through the reconciliation process now."

Kean noted the recent bipartisan approach to pension reform in Trenton.

"Our United States Senators bring the same common-sense approach to Washington,” he said.

Menendez defeated Kean 53%-45% in their 2006 U.S. senate race, but the FDU poll showed them in a statistical dead heat in an election that is almost three years away, with Kean leading Menendez by one point, 39% to 38%.

Reached for comment by email, Kean said the convenient timing of his statement was "happenstance."