Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said on Thursday that he would not seek reelection in the Democratic primary for his U.S. Senate seat amid ongoing accusations. However, he hinted at the possibility of an independent candidacy.
“Unfortunately, the present accusations I am facing, of which I am innocent, and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign,” Mr. Menendez said in a video posted on YouTube.
“New Jerseyans deserve better than that. You deserve to hear from those who wish to represent you about what they would do for you and your families in the future. Therefore, I will not file for the Democrat primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.”
Mr. Menendez said he was committed to serving New Jerseyans and highlighted his desire to engage in meaningful dialogue and debate with political opponents, which he felt was currently being hindered.
The New Jersey senator, who is under indictment for the second time in the last 10 years, conveyed his disappointment with the accusations he has faced over the last year but urged the public to withhold judgment.
“I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I’m facing; believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place,” he said.
Mr. Menendez, who was able to win support in 2018 after he was acquitted of previous charges in 2017, has maintained his innocence.
If he decides to run as an independent candidate, Mr. Menendez will have until June 4 to gather 800 signatures in order to be on the ballot. Currently, there are three independent senators who caucus with the Democratic Party.
The news comes days before New Jersey’s Democratic filing deadline on March 25 and as Mr. Menendez faces calls to resign from some of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate due to the charges he faces.
The charges are related to allegations that Mr. Menendez and his wife received bribes from New Jersey businessmen Jose Uribe, Wael Hana, and Fred Daibes. These bribes included mortgage payments, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible.
In return, the senator is accused of taking actions to benefit the three men, such as intervening in a New Jersey state criminal case involving an associate of Mr. Uribe and a federal investigation.
The indictment also accuses Mr. Menendez of helping a man get a lucrative meat certification deal with Egypt while taking actions favorable to the Egyptian government and helping another associate get a deal with a Qatari investment fund.
Prosecutors allege that he acted as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government.
Mr. Menendez, who is 70 years old, was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but was forced to relinquish his position after being arrested last fall. Despite calls for him to resign from Congress, he has refused to do so.
The trial for his 18 federal counts is scheduled to begin on May 6.
A federal judge recently denied Mr. Menendez’s motion to dismiss four conspiracy charges in his bribery case on grounds of legislative immunity.
Democrats are lining up to replace Mr. Menendez, including Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and the state’s first lady, Tammy Murphy.
The primary election for the Democratic Party to select their candidate for Mr. Menendez’s Senate seat is scheduled for June 4.
