Longtime Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey leaves after bribery conviction

On August 20, New Jersey’s Senator Bob Menendez officially resigned, marking the end of a significant political career that spanned five decades. His resignation follows a recent guilty verdict on federal bribery charges, leading him to abandon his independent bid to retain his Senate seat.

His resignation took effect at 5 p.m. EDT on that day, bringing an end to his tenure as one of New Jersey’s most prominent politicians. Throughout his time in office, Menendez became the state’s fourth longest-serving senator.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has reportedly appointed George Helmy, the governor’s chief of staff, to fill the vacant Senate seat. Helmy’s term will begin when the Senate reconvenes in September and will last until January 3, 2025.

In November, the appointment will be put to the test as Democratic nominee Congressman Andy Kim faces off against Republican contender Curtis Bashaw in the election for a full six-year term.

Menendez, 70, was convicted last month on all 16 counts related to bribery and corruption. A Manhattan jury found him guilty of accepting bribes in the form of gold bars and cash. He was also accused of acting as a foreign agent for the governments of Qatar and Egypt.

Menendez is scheduled for sentencing on October 29. He has expressed intentions to appeal the jury’s decision, which came after two days of deliberations involving six men and six women in New York’s Southern District Court.

On the eve of his resignation, Menendez’s lawyers filed a motion asking a New York judge to overturn the guilty verdict. They describe the prosecution as “unprecedented and high profile,” asserting that all convictions should be reversed. The motion argues that upholding the verdict based on what they call insufficient evidence would set a dangerous legal precedent.

In late July, Menendez announced his plan to resign from the Senate after being convicted of corruption-related charges. After a competitive Democratic primary, he also ended his independent re-election efforts. During that primary, he faced tough competition from Representative Andy Kim and New Jersey’s First Lady, Tammy Murphy, with Menendez seemingly overlooked by voters and party leaders. Kim eventually won the primary after Murphy exited the race.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Menendez first entered politics as a House member from 1993 to 2006 before being appointed to the Senate by then-Governor Jon Corzine. He returned to the Senate to fill Corzine’s seat following the Governor’s election in 2005. Menendez subsequently ascended to the role of chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, highlighting his prominence within the party and governmental structure.

His resignation marks the conclusion of a chapter in New Jersey’s political history, with many eyes now on the upcoming elections and the future of his former Senate seat.

Source: UPI