Report: Senator Robert Menendez To Resign Effective August 20th

Senator Robert Menendez once told this reporter when I hosted Meet the Leaders while employed by Cablevision, it was always his dream to become a United States Senator.  Well, Menendez achieved that lifelong goal, climbing the political ladder over the past half century.

From Board of Education Trustee in Union City at age 20, to Mayor of Union City, to New Jersey Assemblyman, then New Jersey State Senator, to member of the United States House of Representatives, to United States senior Senator and Chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez achieved his career goal in 2006.

That dream will come to a crashing end on August 20th, as Menendez has informed his staff he will resign amid his recent conviction on all 16 counts in a federal bribery and conspiracy trial.  Menendez does plan to appeal his conviction, maintaining his innocence.  His sentencing is scheduled for October 29th.

The jury found the 70-year old Senator guilty of accepting bribes, including gold bars and cash, for official actions to benefit Qatar and Egypt.

South Jersey Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat, is running for Menendez’s seat in November against Republican Curtis Bashaw.

Once Menendez’s resignation takes effect, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will be able to appoint an interim Senator until Menendez’s term expires in January, 2025.