New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez announced on Thursday that he will not be seeking another term as a Democrat, despite facing corruption and other charges that he vehemently denies. However, he did not completely rule out the possibility of running as an independent candidate in the upcoming November election.
“I won’t be filing for the Democratic primary this June,” he declared in a heartfelt video message. “I’m optimistic that my exoneration will come this summer, enabling me to run as an independent Democrat in the general election.”
He expressed his intentions, saying, “This would give me the opportunity to not only remind the people of New Jersey about my achievements as their advocate, but also to demonstrate how we will safeguard our financial futures, address the challenges of raising a family, owning a home, providing for a college education, and creating a more peaceful world for all of us to inhabit.”
If Menendez decides to run as an independent candidate, he will probably face a tough competition from the Democratic nominee due to the state’s strong political bias. The current front-runners in the Democratic primary are Tammy Murphy, the wife of Governor Phil Murphy, and Rep. Andy Kim.
Prosecutors have leveled accusations against Menendez, claiming that he colluded with his wife and a businessman in an effort to make the senator an agent of Egypt. The criminal charges assert that Menendez was supposed to use his influence to remove the block on U.S. military aid to Egypt in exchange for bribe payments.
Furthermore, there have been allegations made against him regarding his involvement in accepting bribes from the government of Qatar in exchange for carrying out certain favors.
In his video, Menendez continues to assert his innocence, just as he has done since his first indictment in September. His wife has also vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“I understand that many of you may feel hurt and disappointed in light of the accusations I am currently facing. However, I kindly request that you refrain from passing judgement until the legal process has taken its course,” he expressed.
In his taped statement, he extensively highlighted his achievements during his tenure in the Senate, particularly emphasizing his efforts following Hurricane Sandy and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.