Newly convicted senator Bob Menendez has reportedly decided to resign from his position as a New Jersey Democrat, according to NBC News. The 70-year-old senator was found guilty on Tuesday by a Manhattan federal jury on 16 counts of bribery for trading his political influence in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and gifts for three Garden State businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Menendez initially refused to comment on whether he would resign when leaving court, but has now informed allies of his intent to step down. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and fellow New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker have called for Menendez’s resignation.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other Democrats like Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) are also urging a vote to expel Menendez if he does not choose to resign himself. Should either occur before the end of his term, Governor Murphy would be able to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the seat until January 2025.
Menendez had considered an independent run to retain his position but now Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) will face off against Republican opponent Curtis Bashaw in the November election. Senate Ethics Committee chairman Chris Coons (D-Del.) and ranking member James Lankford (R-Okla.) have pledged to promptly conclude a separate probe of Menendez, which would include a “full range of disciplinary actions available.
Menendez stepped down as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following his indictment in September but was still receiving some classified briefings. His sentencing for the bribery conviction is scheduled for October 29th, while Reps for his congressional office have not yet responded to a request for comment.
Menendez’s wife, Nadine Arslanian, had her trial indefinitely postponed just hours before her husband’s verdict was announced. Despite accepting lavish gifts from the same business associates as Menendez, as well as a black Mercedes-Benz convertible, her trial will not proceed until further notice.
Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, two of the three businessmen indicted alongside Menendez and his wife, were also found guilty on Tuesday. The third businessman, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty before the start of the trial.
