(RepublicanJournal.org) – New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez (D) has been getting heavy pressure from members of his own party to resign amid allegations that he took bribes and worked as an agent for the Egyptian government. He has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, but his peers believe the time has come to leave anyway. The New Jersey senator might pursue his re-election independently as a result.
Menendez posted a video of his announcement on YouTube on March 21. He began by listing his many accomplishments as a senator, which include the work he did during the recession in 2007 to provide a stimulus package to his people, tax credits he enabled for education and infrastructure investment, and his response to the fallout from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which brought the Garden State $60 billion in recovery funds. He also helped provide people across the country vital relief when the 2020 pandemic hit by assisting in writing the American Rescue Plan and CARES Act.
The New Jersey lawmaker noted the accusations against him, but he alleged he would have no problem proving his innocence once he had the chance. He said that in light of all that had taken place, he had chosen not to file for his state’s Democratic primary in June. Menendez added that he hoped he would see his exoneration by summer, at which point he would run to defend his seat in the general election as an independent Democrat. He went on to ask his constituents to “withhold judgment until justice takes place.” He promised that until that time, he would keep fighting for the people of New Jersey, just as he had for the past 19 years.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine, each face one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. If convicted of all charges, they each could receive up to 45 years in prison.
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