Senator Bob Menendez, the embattled Democrat from New Jersey, will resign from his Senate seat effective August 20, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. This resignation follows his conviction in July on 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent. The conviction marks a dramatic end to Menendez's long and scandal-plagued political career.
Menendez, who has represented New Jersey in Congress since 1992, first as a U.S. Representative and then as a Senator, has faced mounting pressure from within his own party to step down. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was among those urging him to resign, stating, "In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is expected to appoint a temporary replacement to serve the remainder of Menendez's term, which ends on January 3, 2025. The seat will be contested in the upcoming November election, with Democratic Representative Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw vying for the position. Menendez, who had planned to run for re-election as an independent, has not yet commented on whether he still intends to pursue that course.
Menendez's conviction stems from a years-long bribery scheme in which he was found to have accepted gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other lavish gifts in exchange for using his influence to benefit Egyptian military interests, interfere in criminal prosecutions, and secure investments from Qatari officials. His wife, Nadine Menendez, was also charged in the case, though her trial has been postponed indefinitely due to her breast cancer diagnosis.
"I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country," Menendez said, maintaining his innocence and vowing to appeal the conviction. "Obviously, I'm deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury's decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal."
The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. If sentences for the 16 charges were to be served consecutively, Menendez could face a maximum of 222 years in prison. However, sentences are typically served concurrently unless the court orders otherwise. His sentencing is scheduled for October 29, just a week before the election.
This is not the first time Menendez has faced legal trouble. In 2015, he was charged with conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud related to allegations that he accepted more than $600,000 in political contributions, a luxurious hotel suite at the Park Hyatt in Paris, and free rides on a private jet from Dr. Salomon Melgen, a wealthy ophthalmologist. The trial ended in a mistrial in November 2017 after the jury was deadlocked.
Despite the legal battles, Menendez continued to hold significant influence in the Senate, particularly as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His conviction and subsequent resignation mark the end of a storied and controversial career in public service.
Menendez's departure from the Senate will allow Governor Murphy to make a critical appointment ahead of the November election, where Democratic control of the seat is considered crucial. The race between Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
