After his conviction on two dozen federal charges of bribery, Senator Bob Menendez has informed his allies that he intends to announce his resignation.
NBC News reported that Menendez had finally relented following the guilty verdict, and the growing threat of expulsion if he did not. Sources said that Menendez is informing his allies of his resignation. This would mark the end of a three-decade career as a member of Congress, which included a powerful chairmanship of a committee, writing of major legislation, and two criminal prosecutions over allegations of corrupt practices.
BREAKING: Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez tells allies he will resign after his corruption conviction, sources say, ending a decadeslong career in Congress. https://t.co/qHpvPpV51j
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 17, 2024
Menendez’s resignation was called for by prominent Democrats, including Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.), and Senate majority whip Dick Durbin (D.Ill.). Cory Booker, a Garden State Democrat like Gov. Chris Christie (D-N.J.), and other Garden State Democrats have called for Menendez to resign. Phil Murphy (D.N.J.), a fellow Garden State Democrat, has also called on him to resign.
Schumer, in a press release, said that Menendez, along with his co-conspirators, must now resign to do what’s right for his constituencies, the Senate, and the country.
Menendez, along with his wife, accepted bribes in exchange for their influence on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from people representing the interests of three businessmen and the governments of Egypt & Qatar. Bribes were cash, luxury cars, gold bars, clothing, and other items.
Some wild photos from the indictment: https://t.co/F3nbTWGmPr pic.twitter.com/t1s4elB9vJ
— Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) September 22, 2023
Murphy will select a replacement if Menendez does indeed decide to resign. The senator’s current term ends in January. Andy Kim, a representative from New Jersey, won the Democratic Primary for Menendez’s seat. He will now face Curtis Bashaw who won the GOP Primary. Menendez declared that he was running as an independent candidate before his conviction.
