Democrat U.S. Senator Announces He Will RESIGN

Democrat U.S. Senator of New Jersey Bob Menendez will resign from office on August 20.

Sen. Menendez’s resignation comes after the senator was found guilty of bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and obstruction.

Despite being convicted, Menendez refused to resign, but in the last month, senior Senators have urged Menendez to step down.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will now be responsible for replacing Menendez with an interim senator.

Today I received a letter from Senator Bob Menendez informing me of his intention to resign effective August 20, 2024.

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.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 23, 2024

BREAKING: Sen. Bob Menendez will reportedly resign from the U.S. Senate, effective Aug. 20, following a stunning bribery conviction. https://t.co/xL3gCEBKs8

— HuffPost (@HuffPost) July 23, 2024

Here’s what ABC News reported:

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez will resign his office on Aug. 20 following convictionin his federal corruption trial, multiple sources told ABC News.

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Staff members were informed of the senator’s decision Tuesday and the official resignation will be submitted to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who will select an interim replacement, according to the sources.

A Manhattan federal jury found the New Jersey Democrat guilty on all charges, including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction, on July 16 following a two-month-long trial. Federal prosecutors said he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments and more in exchange for the senator’s political clout.

Menendez was not required to resign due to the conviction.

Sen. Bob Menendez will resign his seat effective August 20, sources say. The New Jersey Democrat was found guilty in a federal corruption trial. https://t.co/cfFravWmri

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 23, 2024

Per CNN:

Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey will resign his seat effective August 20, according to multiple sources familiar with the plan.

In July, Menendez was convicted of 16 counts — including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent — for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme.

Tuesday’s developments mark a major moment in the New Jersey senator’s dramatic political downfall and will bring an end to his scandal-plagued tenure in the Senate. Menendez had faced mounting pressure from within his own party to resign or face the threat of expulsion from the Senate.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is expected to appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of Menendez’s term, which ends on January 3, 2025.

Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw are set to face off in the November general election for the seat. Menendez, who had been up for reelection this year, had previously filed to run as an independent. Menendez did not immediately say whether he still intends to run as an independent.

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