Bob Menendez Files to Run as Independent for Senate While on Trial : 2024

On Monday, New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez filed to run for reelection as an independent, a move that might cost Democrats a secure Senate seat. 

(Bloomberg) — On Monday, New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez filed to run for reelection as an independent, a move that might cost Democrats a secure Senate seat.

Bob Menendez, who is on trial in New York on corruption allegations, may be a spoiler if a large number of voters remain with him. Although Democrats are still expected to retain the New Jersey Senate seat, a Menendez candidacy might compel the party to spend more money in the state at a time when the party is already on defense nationwide.

Bob Menendez is not on the ballot in New Jersey’s Republican and Democratic primaries, which take place on Tuesday. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim is largely likely to succeed Menendez.

The senator’s submission was posted on the New Jersey Department of State’s website on Monday. His party is identified as “Menendez for Senate.”

Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, who is in charge of the Senate Democrats’ campaign effort, disputed the notion that Bob Menendez’s choice would harm the party’s candidate, saying “the Democrat is going to win.” But his Republican opponent, Montana’s Steve Daines, laughed and remarked, “Keep your eye on New Jersey.”

Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, praised his colleague as “a tremendous senator for the state of New Jersey when it comes to delivering results” and a good collaborator, but emphasized that the focus should now be on the trial rather than November. “He deserves a fair trial where he gets to be judged by a jury of his peers,” Booker stated.

Bob Menendez, 70, has pleaded not guilty, and his defense has accused his wife, Nadine, of hiding information from him about gold bars and other goods that federal prosecutors claim were payments to the senator for various official activities.

Bob Menendez, who was first elected in 2005, resigned as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee upon his indictment, but he continues to vote and attend confidential briefings and committee meetings in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has denounced Menendez’s behavior, saying it fell well below the norm of a US senator, but has declined to discuss whether Bob Menendez should be expelled, denied access to briefings, or otherwise penalized.