Andy Kim tells Menendez to resign

Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) is calling on U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to resign following his indictment on federal corruption charges.

“These allegations are serious and alarming.  It doesn’t matter what your job title is or your politics — no one in America is above the law.  The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light,” said Kim.  “In the meantime, I don’t have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter.  He should step down.”

Kim, a  three-term congressman from New Jersey’s 3rd district, becomes the first major Democratic official in New Jersey to comment on today’s announcement by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New Jersey, that they had unsealed an indictment against Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were charged with accepting bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, including cash, gold bars, a luxury Mercedes convertible, payments toward a mortgage, and home furnishings.

If Menendez resigns, Gov. Phil Murphy would appoint a new U.S. Senator.  Should that happen, the appointed Senator could serve until January 3, 2025, unless Murphy were to order a special election.