Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a Democrat facing a federal bribery trial, has filed paperwork to run for re-election as an independent. Most of the state’s leading Democrats have abandoned him and called for his resignation after corruption charges were brought against him last year. Despite this, Menendez has refused to step down and did not run in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, choosing instead to raise and spend campaign contributions on legal fees. His trial is ongoing, and he has until mid-August to withdraw from the November election.
The possibility of Menendez running as an independent raises concerns of a splintered Democratic vote in the election, potentially aiding the Republican nominee in a state where Democrats hold a narrow majority. The Democratic front-runner for Menendez’s seat, Representative Andy Kim, has criticized the senator’s decision to run as selfish, stating that Menendez is putting his own interests ahead of the country’s needs. The Senate Democrats’ campaign arm and Senator Chuck Schumer have declined to comment on Menendez’s entry into the race.
Republicans in New Jersey are closely watching the situation, as several candidates compete for the Senate nomination in the primary. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in New Jersey by a large margin, and the state has not elected a Republican senator in fifty years. Menendez’s son, Representative Rob Menendez, is running for re-election to the House and has distanced himself from his father’s legal troubles. The ongoing focus on the senator’s legal issues has made his son’s re-election campaign more challenging.
Senator Menendez’s campaign staff has dwindled, with key members leaving and his son facing a challenging re-election battle. Polls show that most New Jersey residents believe Menendez is guilty of the charges against him, and his approval ratings are low. Despite this, Menendez remains confident in his trial and his chances for re-election. He has collected the required signatures to run as an independent, with many signatures coming from his hometown in northern Hudson County.
Menendez believes that the trial is going well and that he will be exonerated. He points to the ways in which he has helped New Jersey residents during his tenure in Congress as evidence of his innocence. Supporters in his hometown, including Union City Mayor Brian Stack, continue to back him. However, Menendez’s odds of winning as an independent are slim, given the widespread belief in his guilt among New Jersey residents. The coming months will be critical for his re-election campaign as the trial continues and the election approaches.
