Menendez set to step down from Senate seat in August

Matthew Fazelpoor//July 23, 2024//

Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez tour the field medical station at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus in March 2020.

In March 2020 – the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic – Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez toured the field medical station at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. - PROVIDED BY EDWIN J. TORRES/GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Matthew Fazelpoor//July 23, 2024//

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Embattled and now-convicted Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez will resign his Senate seat, effective Aug. 20.

New Jersey Globe first reported the news, which sources familiar with the situation confirmed to NJBIZ.

New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator was convicted earlier this month on all 16 counts in a bribery and corruption case, which NJBIZ has reported extensively on. Following that verdict, calls again reignited for Menendez to step down from the seat.

Throughout, he has maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal. Menendez initially rode out the renewed push for his resignation – which included statements from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; U.S. Sen Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Gov. Phil Murphy and many other leaders – while the nation’s attention turned to the evolving presidential campaign.

Booker, a longtime friend and legislative partner, had said he would lead a push to expel Menendez if he continued to dig his heels in.

A Senate Ethics Committee this week also announced a review of Menendez’s conduct. That move would likely set the stage for a disciplinary action, such as expulsion.

Menendez’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the senator has not yet publicly confirmed the reports.

Assuming this timeline holds up, Murphy would select an interim senator to hold the seat – pending this November’s election between Democratic candidate and current U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, 3rd District, and Republican candidate Curtis Bashaw. The rumor mill is already full tilt about who the governor might select in this scenario.

Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At 4:06 p.m., Murphy posted to social media site X confirming Menendez’s intentions:

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