United States: In this emerging scenario, sen. Bob Menendez submitted his resignation from the post, which will take effect on August 20. This is barely a week after he was convicted on federal bribery charges.
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Menendez earlier dismissed rumors that he plans to resign. However, incumbent Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont read the letter of resignation in the Senate chamber on Tuesday afternoon.
One of the sources with information on the plan said a successor, who will continue until Menendez’s remaining term ends on January 3, 2025, is expected to be announced this week.
New Jersey Gov. Phil 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,” CBS News reported.
Sen. Cory Booker stated he has spoken to Murphy about his preference for Andy Kim, who has triumphed for the Democratic party, as that lawmaker.
Booker said, “I think we are heading towards the next senator to be my partner is really going to be Andy Kim. I think this is the governor’s choice. I have talked to him a bit about it, and I know he’ll make a wise choice for someone to fill that spot, but Andy Kim is the future of New Jersey. He’s a next-generation leader,” as CBS News reported.
But Curtis Bashaw, Kim’s Republican rival in the upcoming poll, stated that the electorate should determine who succeeds Menendez.
Bashaw added, “As Gov. Murphy moves to appoint a replacement to his seat, I once again call on him to let voters make the ultimate decision of who should hold this seat in November’s election. The governor should appoint a caretaker to this seat, as is the long-standing New Jersey tradition, and not give either candidate the advantage of incumbency in this election.”
Demands for Menendez to step down
Menendez had been facing demands to step down by his fellow democrats, who also threatened to pass a resolution to expel him if he did not step down voluntarily.
Murphy and Booker were among those who demanded Menendez resign. Indeed, Democrats from New Jersey had been demanding that Menendez should quit the Senate as soon as he was indicted in September 2023.
The bribery offenses against Menendez, New Jersey’s senior US senator, arose out of a long string of vigorous investigations led by the Justice Department, as CBS News reported.
The government, in its indictment, also asserted that Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, corruptly accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars as bribes to gain and retain influence as a US senator to enrich over three New Jersey-based businessmen, provide them with various benefits, and contribute to Egypt’s government from 2018 to 2022.
Menendez was convicted on 16 felony counts: bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent on July 16 this year. He entered a plea of not guilty, and up to this time, he has not admitted any wrongdoing.