Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is reportedly circulating petitions to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were each indicted in September 2023 on three federal counts of accepting bribes from three New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana, Fred Dibes and Jose Uribe.
The couple are accused of using their power and influence as senatorial officials to “protect and enrich businessmen” and “benefit the Arab Republic of Egypt.” Indictment In The New York Times.
Menendez was indicted on additional charges in January, accusing him of accepting bribes from Qatar’s royal family in exchange for speaking highly of the country. In return for positive comments about Qatar, Menendez allegedly received valuables, including luxury watches.
The senator is reportedly enlisting the help of some friends around the state to circulate the petition, with the goal of collecting at least 800 voter signatures before the June 4 deadline. according to To New Jersey Globe.
Scoop: Bob Menendez is collecting petition signatures to run for reelection as an Independent in November. The deadline to file is June 4th.
https://t.co/7wMN1dHoXL— David Wildstein (@wildstein) May 25, 2024
This happens after Senator rejection He will seek reelection as a Democrat, but has since explored the idea of running as an independent.
of New Jersey Globe report:
Filing the lawsuit would preserve his option to try to keep his seat, or it could give him more negotiating power if the New Jersey seat suddenly becomes a three-way race in November. His trial is expected to last at least until the end of June.
The deadline for independent candidates to withdraw from the race without appearing on the ballot is Aug. 16, giving the president plenty of time to make a final decision.
It’s unclear how many, or if any, people are assisting Menendez.
Senator Menendez is reportedly considering running as an independent, but one of the challenges he faces is funding: he was reported to have “over $8.5 million in cash” before his indictment.
Recent Filing Menendez reportedly has more than $3.5 million in reserves, according to the Federal Election Commission.
At Menendez’s trial, which began on May 13, jurors were reportedly passing around plastic bags containing gold bars.
FBI agents searched Menendez’s home in June 2022 and found $486,461 in cash and 13 gold bars. value Over $150,000.
Jurors in the trial were also given a virtual tour of the Menendez home through photos taken during the search.
Menendez has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Two of the three businessmen, Dives and Hana, have also pleaded not guilty. Uribe reportedly admitted to helping Menendez’s wife buy a Mercedes-Benz to enlist the New Jersey senator’s help in “defeating an unrelated state criminal investigation into his commercial interests,” according to NJ.com. report.
