WASHINGTON, July 23 (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez resigned on Tuesday following his conviction on corruption charges, including bribery and acting as an agent for Egypt’s government.
Facing pressure from fellow Democrats, Menendez decided to step down from his role.
“I will be resigning from my office as the United States Senator from New Jersey, effective on the close of business on Aug. 20, 2024,” Menendez stated in a letter seen by Reuters.
Although Menendez plans to appeal the jury’s verdict, he expressed a desire not to prolong Senate proceedings, which could detract from its essential work.
“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process,” his letter added.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will appoint a temporary replacement for Menendez.
Menendez, who has served New Jersey in the Senate since 2006 and chaired the influential Foreign Relations Committee, resigned from this position last year after being charged.
Governor Murphy confirmed receipt of Menendez’s resignation letter but has not yet revealed details about when he will announce Menendez’s replacement. A spokesperson for Murphy did not provide additional information on the timing.
Menendez, 70, was convicted on July 16 by a Manhattan federal court jury on all 16 criminal counts he faced, including obstruction of justice, wire fraud, and extortion, following a nine-week trial.
Two of Menendez’s co-defendants were also found guilty.
The case involved allegations of bribery where Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted cash, gold bars, and payments for cars and mortgages from three businessmen.
In return, Menendez reportedly directed U.S. aid to Egypt and attempted to influence legal proceedings against the businessmen. Menendez plans to appeal the conviction.
U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein has scheduled Menendez’s sentencing for October 29, just a week before the November 5 election, where Menendez is running as an independent for another six-year Senate term.
According to the source, his chances of winning are considered slim.
Menendez’s resignation will temporarily reduce the Democratic majority in the Senate to 50-49 until his replacement is sworn in.
Democratic Representative Andy Kim is running for the seat in November and is expected to win in New Jersey.
Numerous Democrats, including Governor Murphy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senator Cory Booker, had urged Menendez to resign.
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This trial marked Menendez’s second, following a 2017 trial that ended with a hung jury. He was later censured by the Senate ethics committee for accepting gifts from a wealthy friend.
Menendez, first appointed to the Senate in 2006 after 13 years in the U.S. House, has been a prominent figure in foreign relations, advocating for increased aid to Ukraine and Israel.