State Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick), both facing competitive re-election campaigns this year, today told Bob Menendez to resign from the U.S. Senate.
“The charges brought against him in today’s indictment give us serious concern about his ability to represent the people of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate,” said Gopal. “In the interest of the state, we call on Senator Menendez to resign and allow our state to move forward.”
Gopal’s statement was made jointly with the two Democratic candidates for State Assembly in the 11th district, Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul.
Zwicker’s released a joint statement with Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hillborough) and Assembly candidate Mitchelle Drulis.
“The allegations revealed in today’s indictment are severe, and they cannot be taken lightly. Senator Menendez should receive the presumption of innocence during his legal defense. But we are calling on the Senator to resign so that New Jerseyans may continue to have confidence in their federal representation,” they said. “We will continue to focus on the election immediately ahead of us, and deliver for families in the 16th district.”
The 11th district Republicans – State Senate candidate Steve Dnistrian and Assemblywomen Marilyn Piperno (R-Colts Neck) and Kim Eulner (R-Shrewsbury) – and the GOP nominees in the 16th district — former Rep. Michael Pappas, Clinton Councilman Ross Traphagen, and Grace Zhang, called for Menendez’s resignation earlier today.
Monmouth County Democratic Chairman David Brown also said Menendez should step down.
“While Senator Menendez is innocent until proven guilty and the investigation must be allowed to run its course, it is clear that allowing him to continue representing New Jersey in the United States Senate will only distract from serving residents in our state,” said Brown said. “Therefore, I echo the sentiments of fellow county chairs and call on Senator Menendez to resign immediately, as that is what is best for our state.”
State Sens. Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus), Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn), and Assemblyman Christopher Tully (D-Bergenfield) have also called on Menendez to give up his Senate seat.
This story was updated at 5:55 PM and again at 7:29 PM.