Senator Menendez Won't Seek Democratic Nomination, May Run Independently

Maintaining his innocence, embattled United States Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), who is facing federal corruption and bribery charges, announced in a nearly ten minute video posted on social media on Thursday, that he will not seek the Democratic nomination in the June Primary.  Rather, he will aim to run as an Independent candidate during the November General Election after he is cleared of all charges in his upcoming trial, which begins on May 6th.

Menendez, who has served as New Jersey’s senior Senator since 2006, stated, “This would allow me the time to not only remind New Jerseyans of how I’ve succeeded in being your champion but how we will secure our financial futures, meet the challenges of raising a family, owning a home, provide for a college education and secure a more peaceful world for all of us to live in.”

Menendez, his wife and two businessmen face more than a dozen counts in the indictments brought by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.

The charges allege that Menendez, his wife and the businessmen, as well as a third businessman who has since entered a guilty plea and agreed to cooperate with authorities, were part of a bribery scheme in which Menendez and his wife allegedly received cash, gold bars and a luxury car in exchange for his using his political influence.  This month federal prosecutors added charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice amid allegations that the Senator was working to benefit Qatar in addition to Egypt.

The latest polls in this Primary race have south Jersey Congressman Andy Kim in a heated battle with First Lady Tammy Murphy for the nomination, with Kim holding a wide margin.