Menendez drops Senate bid after resignation
- Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has decided not to seek reelection following backlash from his corruption case.
- Menendez resigns from the Senate race after being forced out of Congress early.
- This decision will have significant implications on the upcoming election in New Jersey.
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has officially withdrawn from his reelection campaign in New Jersey following significant backlash stemming from his recent corruption conviction. This decision comes ahead of the Friday deadline for candidates to remove themselves from the ballot, and it was widely anticipated given Menendez's diminished prospects as an independent candidate. His conviction led to a loss of support within the Democratic Party, culminating in his resignation from Congress, effective August 20. In a formal communication to New Jersey’s acting director of the Division of Elections, Donna Barber, Menendez expressed his intention to withdraw his name from the ballot for the upcoming November election. His exit marks the end of a 31-year congressional career, during which he had been utilizing campaign funds to cover legal expenses related to his appeal against 16 criminal charges. Although he can continue to use approximately $3.3 million in campaign funds for legal fees, he is prohibited from accepting new donations. Menendez's withdrawal alters the dynamics of the upcoming election, where he was set to face off against Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Republican Curtis Bashaw. Analysts had speculated that Menendez's presence could siphon votes from Kim, potentially benefiting Bashaw. With Menendez out of the race, Kim is now positioned to consolidate Democratic support, enhancing his chances in the general election. As Menendez prepares for sentencing on October 29, where he faces the possibility of decades in prison, his political future remains uncertain, marking a significant chapter in New Jersey's political landscape.