Once-defiant Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey abandoned his reelection campaign just weeks after being convicted on bribery and corruption charges.
Menendez, once a leading Democrat, had said he would run as an independent to retain his senate seat.
“Menendez is actually a senator for Egypt, not New Jersey.”
On Friday, that dream vanished.
“I am writing to inform you that I wish to withdraw my name from the ballot as an independent candidate in the November election for the United States Senate,” the senator’s message to the New Jersey Department of Elections read.
The news was announced by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (Democrat) Announced He will succeed Menendez in the Senate until the winner is determined in the November election.
“George [Helmy] “This is an example of the kind of honesty we need to restore public confidence in our state’s leadership,” Murphy wrote.
Prosecutors said Menendez and his wife received lavish gifts, including expensive watches and luxury cars, in exchange for political influence. Attacked His home was searched and gold bars and about $500,000 in cash were found.
Mr. Menendez said in March that he would run as an independent after his Democratic colleagues began calling for him to resign from the Senate. His most vocal Democrat opponent was Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.
“He needs to resign,” Fetterman said. “Menendez is a senator for Egypt, not New Jersey.”
Menendez resigned from his position in July and suggested he did so to improve the chances of appealing his conviction. Some of the charges against Menendez could carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29.
If appointed, Helmy would become the only Arab American senator in the current Congress.
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