Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has reportedly informed his associates that he plans to resign from Congress following his conviction on corruption charges.[1][2] The 70-year-old Democratic senator was found guilty on 16 federal counts, including receiving bribes from three businessmen in New Jersey and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt.
Menendez’s impending resignation comes after mounting pressure from within his own party, including calls for his immediate resignation from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New Jersey’s other senator, Cory Booker. There are also efforts underway to potentially expel Menendez from the Senate if he does not step down voluntarily.
With Menendez’s seat set to become vacant, attention has turned to potential replacements. Here are four candidates who have emerged as frontrunners:
Congressman Andy Kim
Congressman Andy Kim, a third-term Democrat representing New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, has expressed willingness to accept the Senate appointment if offered by Governor Phil Murphy. Kim won the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, driving out Tammy Murphy, the wife of the governor, who had significant establishment support.
Tammy Murphy
Despite withdrawing from the primary, Tammy Murphy, the wife of Governor Phil Murphy, is still considered a potential candidate to temporarily fill Menendez’s seat. However, the governor has previously ruled out appointing his wife, citing the need for an independent voice.
Other New Jersey Democrats
Other prominent New Jersey Democrats, such as U.S. Representatives Mikie Sherrill and Tom Malinowski, have also been mentioned as possible replacements for Menendez. Their appointments could help shore up Democratic support in the state ahead of the upcoming election.
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Interim Appointment
In the event of Menendez’s resignation, Governor Murphy would have the authority to appoint an interim successor to serve until a special election is held. This temporary appointment could be used to maintain Democratic control of the seat while a more permanent replacement is determined.
The resignation of Senator Menendez and the subsequent race to fill his seat add further complexity to the political landscape in New Jersey and the broader national political scene. The outcome of this process will have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.