U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy advising the governor that he will resign on August 20 following his conviction last week on federal bribery charges.
“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work,” Menendez said in the letter. “Furthermore, I cannot preserve my rights upon a successful appeal, because factual matters before the ethics committee are not privileged.”
The New Jersey Globe first reported on Menendez’s decision to resign earlier today.
Menendez said that the delay between now and his eventual resignation date will allow a several-week period for his staff to find new jobs and close out his ongoing affairs; it may also give him the chance to give a farewell speech from the Senate floor.
“This will give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close out my Senate affairs,” the senator wrote.
The choice of who to appoint to Menendez’s seat rests with Murphy, though whomever he chooses will only serve until Menendez’s current term ends on January 3, 2025. After that point, the winner of the November general election between Democratic Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and Republican Curtis Bashaw will assume office.
In a brief statement, Murphy said that he has received Menendez’s letter and that he will begin the process of choosing a replacement for the senator.
“Today, I received a letter from Senator Bob Menendez informing me of his intention to resign effective August 20, 2024,” Murphy said. “I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to the United States Senate to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.”
The resignation letter was also entered into the congressional record earlier this afternoon, though Menendez does not intend to attend Senate votes today.