Menendez, Convicted of Taking Bribes, Ends Race for Re-election

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey has officially withdrawn his name from the November 5 ballot, marking the end of his lengthy political career. The decision comes after Menendez was convicted of corruption last month, a verdict that significantly diminished his chances of re-election. In a brief email to the New Jersey Division of Elections, the 70-year-old senator stated, “I am advising you that I wish to have my name withdrawn from the ballot.” Menendez's conviction stemmed from charges of accepting bribes and acting as an agent for Egypt, following a two-month trial in Manhattan. With no active campaign and dwindling resources primarily allocated to legal fees for his upcoming appeal, the senator faced an uphill battle in securing another term. His withdrawal from the race was seen as a foregone conclusion by many close to him, despite his previous resistance to stepping down. Throughout his five-decade political career, Menendez has been a prominent figure in New Jersey politics, having only lost one election—his initial bid for mayor of Union City in 1982. His decision to withdraw leaves a significant void in the upcoming election, as voters will no longer have the option to support a candidate with such a long-standing presence in the state’s political landscape. The implications of his departure will likely resonate throughout the Democratic Party as they prepare for the election.