By Maria Ortiz
Aug 16, 2024, 11:47 PM EDT
The Senator from New Jersey Bob Menendezaccused of corruption, withdrew his candidacy on Friday independent of the ballot of the 2024 electionsputting to rest once and for all the doubt of whether the disgraced senator would complicate an election for the Democratic Party that rejected him.
It ends thus formally Bob Menendez’s career spanning half a century in politics and began on a New Jersey school board and culminated in extraordinary power in the Senate and, with it, on the world stage.
Menendez broke away from his party in June to launch an independent Senate bid amid a federal trial in New York. In July, a jury found him guilty of 16 corruption charges.
Menendez today sent an email to New Jersey’s acting election director, Donna Barber, to inform your decision to withdraw your name from the ballot.
The former legislator was accused of accepting bribes in exchange for using his influence on behalf of the Egyptian government and acting as a foreign agent for that country, and was subsequently charged with obstruction of justice.
In 2015, he faced another trial after being charged with 14 counts of corruption, but the jury was unable to agree on his guilt.
Following the jury’s decision, Menendez, of Cuban origin, submitted his resignation from his position as senator, which will take effect on August 20.
Menendez announced his resignation to New Jersey Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who named his former chief of staff George Helmy to replace the senator until next January, when the seat will be filled by whoever is elected in November.
Voters in New Jersey will have to choose between Democratic candidate Congressman Andy King or Republican Curtis Bashaw.
Continue reading:
• Senator Menendez could leave office in August after corruption trial
• Senators warn Menendez to “resign or face expulsion” after being found guilty
• Bob Menendez was found guilty of 16 crimes, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent