New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez won't run for reelection in Democratic primary, teases independent run
WASHINGTON – Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who is facing federal bribery charges, will not run for reelection in his state's Democratic primary, but he may mount an independent bid for a fourth term, his campaign announced in a video Thursday.
Menendez, who has served in the U.S. Senate for 18 years, is facing federal charges that he accepted bribes in exchange for illegally helping the Egyptian and Qatari governments and for obstructing justice in an investigation into those alleged crimes.
The deadline for Menendez to file to run as a Democrat is Monday, and New Jersey's Democratic primary would be held on June 4. In the video, Menendez outlined what he has delivered for constituents over the course of his time in the Senate.
"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 a cornerstone of their campaign," he said.
"I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and will allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election."
Menendez has denied any wrongdoing in the cases, which include 18 charges. He and his wife are accused of taking wads of cash, a luxury car, gold bars and more in exchange for favors benefitting Egypt and Qatar.
The New Jersey lawmaker was the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but he stepped down from that role after the federal indictment was unveiled in September. That role gave him immense influence over millions of dollars in aid, weapons sales and financing to Egypt, which has been a stalwart U.S. ally strained in recent years.
"I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I'm facing," Menendez said in the video. "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."
U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., and New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy are both running as Democrats to replace Menendez. The state has long been a Democratic stronghold, and the seat is likely to be determined in the upcoming primary.
Both Kim and Murphy have railed against Menendez' charges and called for him to resign. Only 16% of New Jersey voters approve of Menendez, according to a Monmouth University Poll released earlier this month.
The allegations against Bob Menendez
Federal officials released a bombshell indictment targeting Menendez last September. Prosecutors say they found hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold bars during a raid on his home, with evidence linking them to other alleged participants in the scheme.
Prosecutors say officials representing Egypt's authoritarian government wanted Menendez's help with weapons sales and financing. A New Jersey middleman and Egyptian-born entrepreneur named Wael "Will" Hana and Menendez' future wife Nadine Arslanian would allegedly serve as go-betweens.
Menendez is accused of sharing nonpublic information about personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo with Arslanian, who passed the information on to Egyptian officials. Prosecutors say he helped draft a letter to the Egyptian government aimed at convincing his fellow senators to release $300 million in aid, and that he told Arslanian he was going to sign off on a $99 million arms deal, among other favors.
Prosecutors say they have messages showing Arslanian – now Nadine Menendez – communicating with Egyptian officials and Hana about his work. In one instance in March 2020, prosecutors say she texted an Egyptian official: "Anytime you need anything you have my number and we will make everything happen."
Menendez has vehemently denied these allegations. His trial is set to begin on May 6.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NJ Sen. Bob Menendez teases independent reelection campaign