In a surprising development, Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey announced on Thursday that he will not seek reelection in the Democratic primary for his US Senate seat. However, he did not rule out the possibility of running as an independent candidate.
“I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election,” Menendez stated in an online video. The Senator is currently facing charges of bribery and obstruction of justice.
The announcement comes amidst increasing calls for Menendez’s resignation, including from several of his Senate Democratic colleagues, due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Menendez, who was due for reelection this year, would have faced a tough Democratic primary had he chosen to run.
New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, wife of Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, has announced her candidacy. Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey, endorsed by Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, is also in the race. Fetterman has been the most vocal Senate Democrat calling for Menendez’s resignation.
Menendez is accused of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, a luxury car, and Formula One Grand Prix race tickets in exchange for aiding the governments of Egypt and Qatar and several New Jersey businessmen. The Senator has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he will prove his innocence and claiming prosecutorial persecution.
Last year, Menendez pleaded not guilty to a charge alleging he conspired to act as a foreign agent of Egypt. In January, federal prosecutors added to the indictment, alleging that Menendez accepted gifts from Qatar as part of a years-long corruption scheme. Despite these charges, Menendez has refused to resign from his US Senate seat and has criticized colleagues who have called for his resignation.
In a floor speech, Menendez stated, “They would deny me due process and undermine the fundamental principle of our law, that in America, you are innocent until proven otherwise. by a jury of your peers.”
In November 2023, Menendez defended his right to attend a classified briefing on Ukraine, insisting that an accusation is not proof of guilt. “I’m a United States senator, I have my security credentials, and an accusation is just that. It’s not proof of anything,” he told CNN’s Manu Raju.
Menendez has served in the Senate since 2006 and this is not his first legal battle. In 2015, he was charged with conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud for allegedly abusing the power of his office. Prosecutors claimed that Menendez accepted over $600,000 in political contributions, a luxurious hotel suite in Paris, and free rides on a private jet from a wealthy ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen, in exchange for political favors.
This story will be updated as further developments occur.