A week after he was convicted of taking bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments, and more in exchange for his political favors, Former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez (I-NJ) announced that he is finally resigning.
Despite continuing to maintain his innocence and promising to appeal the conviction, Menendez will officially leave office on August 20th.
His resignation clears a path to replace him with a Democrat. NJ Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will now appoint someone to the Senate for the remainder of Menendez’s term, which expires on Jan. 3, 2025.
The seat was already up for election, with Democrats backing Rep. Andy Kim, the favorite to win the Blue-leaning state over his opponent, Republican Curtis Bashaw.
Both Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were involved in the effort to sell his Senatorial powers to an agent of the Egyptian government.
Prosecutors said Menendez used his influence to meddle in three different state and federal criminal investigations to protect his associates. They also alleged he helped one wealthy friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund and helped yet another keep a contract to provide religious certification for meat bound for Egypt, according to Associated Press reports.
Menendez had shrugged off pressure from fellow Senate Democrats to resign before his trial, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) had also urged the Senate to expel Menendez if he didn’t quit.
Menendez faces the possibility of decades in prison. A judge scheduled his sentencing on October 29th, a week before the election and barely a month after Donald Trump's scheduled sentencing.