Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, convicted last Tuesday on federal corruption charges, has announced his plan to resign from Congress in late August. This decision follows mounting pressure from Democratic colleagues who urged him to step down or face an expulsion vote.
Menendez’s resignation, months before the end of his third term, allows the Democratic Party to avoid a potentially divisive intraparty conflict during a critical political period. New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy is expected to appoint a temporary replacement to serve until January.
Despite maintaining his innocence and planning to appeal the guilty verdict, Menendez’s resignation marks the likely end of his five-decade political career. Rising from mayor of Union City, N.J., to a prominent role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, his departure represents a significant fall from power.
By resigning in August, Menendez ensures he will receive at least another month of Senate salary and health insurance, crucial as his wife, Nadine Menendez, undergoes cancer treatment. His federal pension will not be immediately affected by his resignation, but he could lose it if his conviction is upheld under federal anticorruption laws.
Calls for Menendez’s resignation intensified after a jury found him guilty of taking bribes and acting as an agent of Egypt. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, among others, urged him to step down for the sake of his constituents and the Senate.
The political climate has shifted significantly since Menendez, his wife, and three New Jersey businessmen were charged with participating in a bribery conspiracy last fall. With the Democrats striving to maintain their narrow Senate majority and the presidential race altered by President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election, Menendez’s continued presence in Washington was seen as a distraction.
While Menendez’s resignation is a relief for his party, it is not without complications. There is concern that he might continue to run for re-election as an independent, potentially siphoning votes from the Democratic nominee and giving an edge to the Republican candidate, Curtis Bashaw.
Representative Andy Kim won the Democratic nomination to run for the Senate last month after a challenging contest with Tammy Murphy, the governor’s wife. Polls suggest Menendez has little chance of winning, but his potential candidacy could still impact the race.
Menendez faces decades in prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 29. Although the Constitution and Senate rules do not require him to relinquish his seat upon conviction, his resignation avoids the unprecedented scenario of a forced expulsion.
Menendez’s political journey began in Hudson County, N.J., where he gained a reputation as a resilient figure. His career included roles on the Union City school board, as mayor, and in the State Legislature before entering the Senate in 2006. He previously faced a federal bribery trial in 2017, which ended without a conviction.
Governor Murphy is expected to appoint a temporary successor to Menendez, with his wife being a potential candidate. Menendez’s former aides and friends expressed sadness over the end of his career, highlighting his significant contributions, including his support for New Jersey’s immigrant communities and disaster recovery efforts.
Despite the conviction, some close to Menendez, like Tasos D. Zambas, believe the portrayal of him in court was inaccurate. Zambas, who grew up in Union City and attended parts of the trial, described Menendez as an “amazing individual.”
Conversely, Menendez’s opponents celebrated his conviction. Over two dozen of his political adversaries gathered for a “Menendez conviction party,” signaling the end of his contentious political tenure.
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