Menendez fights for political survival amid rising calls to resign

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Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is fighting for his political life amid rising calls to resign from Democratic colleagues in the wake of a federal indictment on bribery charges.

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Al Weaver

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Jim McQueeny, former chief of staff to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). said that the survival of Senator Menendez's reputation, if not his financial survival, depends on his ability to defeat these accusations. He recalled that to defeat these kinds of accusations, the best and most expensive lawyers are needed and that Menendez therefore needs to keep his seat to finance his legal defense.

By running for reelection while under corruption charges, Senator Menendez is making it more likely that Republicans will win his seat in a state that should be safe for Democrats

Sen Menendez has been called to resign by a number of Democrats, including Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), as well as New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) and at least six Democratic members of New Jersey's congressional delegation. Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ) has already announced a primary challenge against Menendez, and others may follow suit.

Jim McQueeny said that even if Menendez is acquitted in court of law, the public perception of the case, especially the "gold bars" allegations, could make it difficult for him to win re-election.

Senator Menendez is facing both corruption charges and a reelection campaign next year. He may need to keep his Senate seat in order to raise enough money to pay for his legal defense.

Even if Senator Bob Menendez manages to win his primary election, Republicans are hoping to capitalize on the scandal and pick up a seat in a deeply Democratic state.

When lawmakers return to Washington on 09/26/2023, reporters are likely to bombard Senate Democrats with questions about whether Sen. Menendez, who is up for reelection in 2024, should remain in office, especially given the recent calls for his resignation. Reporters will surely ask them about the "gold bar question," a reference to the allegations against Menendez that he accepted bribes in the form of gold bars.

Senator Bob Menendez did not say whether he will run for a fourth term in the Senate during his appearance in Union City, New Jersey on 09/25/2023

On 09/25/2023, Sen. Bob Menendez gave a defiant speech to the press, insisting that he would be exonerated of the corruption charges against him and that he would remain New Jersey's senior senator. He said that the allegations against him were just that: allegations, and that he was confident that he would be cleared when all of the facts were presented.

Menendez's political situation is complicated by the timing of the indictments. He does not have as much time to defend himself before facing the voters as he did when he was first indicted in 2015. It is unlikely that the legal battle will be resolved by election day next year.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) acknowledged the seriousness of the charges against Sen. Bob Menendez, but also emphasized that Menendez is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Senator Menendez has denied the charges against him and tried to explain why he had so much cash on hand. He said that he has been withdrawing thousands of dollars in cash from his personal savings account for 30 years to keep for emergencies and because of his family's history of having their assets confiscated in Cuba.

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2023

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The Hill

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New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez indicted on bribery charges

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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4222416-menendez-fights-for-political-survival-amid-rising-calls-to-resign/

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Al Weaver

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New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez indicted on bribery charges

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Senator Bob Menendez did not say whether he will run for a fourth term in the Senate during his appearance in Union City, New Jersey on 09/25/2023

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