(The Guardian) Bob Menendez, the embattled Democratic senator charged with bribery, will enter the race to seek re-election in New Jersey as an independent, according to a report.
Menendez will file nomination petitions in Trenton today, the New Jersey Globe reported, adding that the incumbent Democrat will not deliver the petitions himself as he attending the 12th day of his federal corruption trial.
Menendez faces bribery charges over his alleged work promoting the interests of the Egyptian government. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted bribes – including gold bars, a luxury car and almost half a million dollars in cash – as he promoted Egypt’s interests in his influential role as chair of the Senate foreign relations committee.
Menendez’s presence on the ballot could complicate Democrats’ efforts to hold on to the Senate seat, although Joe Biden won New Jersey by 16 points in 2020. But Menendez’s hopes for a victory in November appear bleak.
A poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University last month showed Menendez receiving just 6% or 7% of the vote in hypothetical general election match-ups. But Menendez’s candidacy will allow him to fundraise for donations that can be used to help cover his lawyers’ bills, as campaign finance filings show the senator has already spent at least $2m on legal services.
Menendez will file nomination petitions in Trenton today, the New Jersey Globe reported, adding that the incumbent Democrat will not deliver the petitions himself as he attending the 12th day of his federal corruption trial.
Menendez faces bribery charges over his alleged work promoting the interests of the Egyptian government. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted bribes – including gold bars, a luxury car and almost half a million dollars in cash – as he promoted Egypt’s interests in his influential role as chair of the Senate foreign relations committee.
Menendez’s presence on the ballot could complicate Democrats’ efforts to hold on to the Senate seat, although Joe Biden won New Jersey by 16 points in 2020. But Menendez’s hopes for a victory in November appear bleak.
A poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University last month showed Menendez receiving just 6% or 7% of the vote in hypothetical general election match-ups. But Menendez’s candidacy will allow him to fundraise for donations that can be used to help cover his lawyers’ bills, as campaign finance filings show the senator has already spent at least $2m on legal services.
