U.S. Senator Bob Menendez will not enter the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate but is keeping his options open to seeking re-election as an independent if a jury backs his claims of innocence in a federal corruption indictment.
“I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election,” Menendez said. “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.”
He added, “Unfortunately, the present accusations I am facing, of which I am innocent and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign.”
In a nine and a half-minute video, Menendez touts his accomplishments during his time in the U.S. Senate and asks that voters keep an open mind about him.
“I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I’m facing. Believe me, I am disappointed at the false accusations as well. All I can ask of you is to withhold judgment until justice takes place,” he said. “Until then, I will continue to work my heart out each and every day, as I have for the past nineteen years.”
Under New Jersey law, Menendez has until 4 PM on the day of the primary election, June 4, to file petitions to run as an independent. The deadline for independent candidates to withdraw from the race without appearing on the ballot is August 16; that could give Menendez more time to see how his trial plays out.
The filing deadline for the June 4 primary is 4 PM on Monday, March 25. The New Jersey Globe had confirmed that Menendez has not taken any steps to gather the 800 signatures he needs to file his nominating petitions.
The three-term senator had remained mostly silent about his political plans but has not participated in ten Democratic county conventions and two screening committees over the past five weeks that award organization support. Menendez has run on organization lines since his first bid for a State Assembly seat in 1987.
Menendez also did not respond to an invitation from the New Jersey Globe to participate in a February 11 Democratic Senate debate with two announced candidates seeking his seat, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and First Lady Tammy Murphy.
The New Jersey Globe first suggested the option of Menendez running as an independent in September, five days after the Justice Department unsealed a damning indictment alleging that the New Jersey Senator, then serving as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, had conspired to accept bribes, including gold bars and a new Mercedes for his wife and co-defendant, Nadine.
On the day of the indictment, the state’s political elite, including Gov. Phil Murphy, Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones, key county chairs, and legislative leaders called for Menendez’s resignation. Kim, the first to tell Menendez to step down, entered the Senate race the following day.
The last Republican to win a Senate seat was Clifford P. Case, who was re-elected in 1972. Since then, 48 other states have elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate; only Hawaii has gone longer.
Update: this story was updated at 5:40 PM with a video from Menendez.