Amid Accusations, Bob Menendez Won’t Seek Reelection as Democrat, May Run as Independent

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) mentioned on Thursday that he wouldn’t search reelection within the Democratic major for his U.S. Senate seat amid ongoing accusations. Nevertheless, he hinted at the opportunity of an impartial candidacy.

“Sadly, the current accusations I’m dealing with, of which I’m harmless, and can show so, is not going to permit me to have that kind of dialogue and debate with political opponents which have already made it the cornerstone of their marketing campaign,” Mr. Menendez mentioned in a video posted on YouTube.

“New Jerseyans deserve higher than that. You deserve to listen to from those that want to characterize you about what they might do for you and your households sooner or later. Subsequently, I cannot file for the Democrat major this June. I’m hopeful that my exoneration will happen this summer season and permit me to pursue my candidacy as an impartial Democrat within the common election.”

Mr. Menendez mentioned he was dedicated to serving New Jerseyans and highlighted his want to have interaction in significant dialogue and debate with political opponents, which he felt was at present being hindered.

The New Jersey senator, who’s below indictment for the second time within the final 10 years, conveyed his disappointment with the accusations he has confronted over the past 12 months however urged the general public to withhold judgment.

“I do know lots of you’re harm and disenchanted in me with the accusations I’m dealing with; imagine me, I’m disenchanted on the false accusations as effectively. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment till justice takes place,” he mentioned.

Mr. Menendez, who was in a position to win help in 2018 after he was acquitted of earlier costs in 2017, has maintained his innocence.

If he decides to run as an impartial candidate, Mr. Menendez may have till June 4 to assemble 800 signatures with a purpose to be on the poll. At present, there are three impartial senators who caucus with the Democratic Celebration.

The information comes days earlier than New Jersey’s Democratic submitting deadline on March 25 and as Mr. Menendez faces calls to resign from a few of his Democratic colleagues within the Senate as a result of costs he faces.

The costs are associated to allegations that Mr. Menendez and his spouse acquired bribes from New Jersey businessmen Jose Uribe, Wael Hana, and Fred Daibes. These bribes included mortgage funds, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible.

In return, the senator is accused of taking actions to learn the three males, reminiscent of intervening in a New Jersey state felony case involving an affiliate of Mr. Uribe and a federal investigation.

The indictment additionally accuses Mr. Menendez of serving to a person get a profitable meat certification cope with Egypt whereas taking actions favorable to the Egyptian authorities and serving to one other affiliate get a cope with a Qatari funding fund.

Prosecutors allege that he acted as a overseas agent for the Egyptian authorities.

Mr. Menendez, who’s 70 years previous, was the chairman of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee however was pressured to relinquish his place after being arrested final fall. Regardless of requires him to resign from Congress, he has refused to take action.

The trial for his 18 federal counts is scheduled to start on Might 6.

A federal decide lately denied Mr. Menendez’s movement to dismiss 4 conspiracy costs in his bribery case on grounds of legislative immunity.

Democrats are lining as much as exchange Mr. Menendez, together with Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and the state’s first girl, Tammy Murphy.

The first election for the Democratic Celebration to pick out their candidate for Mr. Menendez’s Senate seat is scheduled for June 4.