Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey announced his resignation from the Senate effective August 20, 2024, following a guilty verdict in a federal bribery and corruption trial. The jury found Menendez guilty on all counts for accepting bribes and providing official actions to benefit Qatar and Egypt in exchange for their influence. Menendez informed Governor Phil Murphy of his resignation plans in a letter obtained by various news outlets, stating that he wanted to give time for staff transition, transfer constituent files, allow an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and close out Senate affairs.
Menendez had faced mounting pressure from Democratic colleagues and the threat of expulsion from the Senate if he did not resign voluntarily. The New Jersey senator served as mayor of Union City, New Jersey, and in the state legislature before being elected to Congress in 1992. He rose to become chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee after serving in the House.
The bribery scheme involved Menendez providing favors to foreign governments, including Egyptian military interests and Qatari officials, in exchange for bribes such as gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a Mercedes-Benz convertible, and other gifts. Prosecutors successfully argued that Menendez tried to use his power to advance Egyptian military interests and interfere in criminal prosecutions.
Menendez is also under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee for alleged rules violations. The committee unanimously voted to open an adjudicatory review, a required step before making a recommendation to the full Senate on disciplinary action against Menendez.
Republican Curtis Bashaw and Democrat Andy Kim are running for Menendez's Senate seat in November. Menendez has filed to run for re-election as an independent if exonerated.
Sources: NBC News, CNN, The New York Times
