U.S. Senator Bob Menendez issued the following statement announcing that he will seek re-election to a fourth term as an independent:
“Today, I submitted well above the threshold of signatures required to run for re-election. The people of this great state deserve a leader in Washington with a proven track record of fighting tooth and nail to deliver results, and I intend to keep doing so as an independent Democrat. It displeases me to have to go this route, thanks to overzealous prosecutors, but I will do what must be done to continue to uphold my oath of office for my constituents.
“Despite what is portrayed in the press, my innocence continues to be laid out in court. As I have said before; I have committed no crime. I am more confident than ever that New Jerseyans and the rest of the American public will see me exonerated of what I am being accused of, and I will be re-elected to the Senate once again.
“During my 18 years of service, I have fought tirelessly for New Jersey. I’ve secured more than $60 million in aid to build back after Superstorm Sandy. I went to bat against other Senators who didn’t think New Jersey needed that much help and reminded them how we supported them in their times of need. But the work didn’t stop there. FEMA sought to deny flood insurance claims until I was able to get them to open up more than $240 million in payouts that were previously denied. I also authored bipartisan legislation to cap flood insurance rates in New Jersey which passed into law.
“When COVID struck in 2020 I helped write the American Rescue Plan and Cares Act, which delivered more than $30 billion to New Jersey families in the forms of extended unemployment benefits and school aid, as well as $265 million for hospitals in the state.
“I also secured nearly $4 billion more to fund the Gateway Project, which will expand access between New Jersey and New York City. I’ve championed democracy and human rights, while also lowering the costs of prescription drugs and providing much-needed financial relief to families with the Child Tax Credit.
“Simply put, I have delivered for New Jersey and will continue to do so. I look forward to putting these accusations behind me and getting back to work for my constituents.”