Gov. Phil Murphy wants Bob Menendez to resign his seat in the U.S. Senate following his indictment on federal bribery charges.
“The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing. These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system. Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process. However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state,” Murphy said. “Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.”
But Menendez, in a statement released this evening, said he’s not resigning.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat,” he said. “I am not going anywhere.”
Murphy held a meeting in Newark this afternoon with Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr., Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano, Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe, the governor’s chief of staff, George Helmy, and Democratic strategist Dan Bryan, to discuss Menendez’s indictment.
Jones has called a meeting with Democratic county chairs for tomorrow morning.
A Menendez resignation – there is no sign that one is forthcoming – would allow Murphy to appoint a new U.S. Senator. Murphy has the option of calling a special election but could also allow his pick to complete the remainder of Menendez’s current term and serve until January 3, 2025.
While Menendez was standing trial on corruption charges in 2017, Murphy, then a gubernatorial candidate, remained a Menendez ally.
In a statement today, Menendez took a defiant stance, saying that the “excesses of these prosecutors is apparent.”
“For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave,” Menendez said. “I ask that you recall the other times the prosecutors got it wrong and that you reserve judgment.”
This story was updated at 6:51 PM to include a new statement from Menendez.