Convicted Democrat Michigan Sen. Bob Menendez To Resign

Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who was convicted on 16 felony charges one week ago, will resign his seat effective August 20, The Washington Post reported.

Senator Menendez told his staff today of his plan to exit the upper chamber of Congress, sources told Tyler Pager of The Washington Post. The New Jersey Senator was convicted on 16 counts, among them bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice and extortion, by a New Jersey jury on July 16, the climax of years of legal battles for the three-term senator.

Menendez has faced calls to resign since the conviction. This included powerful congressional Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded his resignation just hours following the jury’s decision. It took a week for Menendez to make an official decision, but he eventually gave in. (RELATED: REPORT: Harris VP Vetting Is Underway. It Excludes One Key Name)

Sen. Bob Menendez will resign his Senate seat, effective Aug. 20, his staff were told today, per two sources

— Tyler Pager (@tylerpager) July 23, 2024

Menendez’s legal team plans to appeal the verdict, citing “grave” issues with the trial, according to one of the senator’s attorneys, Politico reported. His legal counsel may attempt to question whether Menendez accepted gifts in exchange for “official acts,” according to the outlet. The team also has optimism that the Supreme Court may dismiss the case as they have with many high-profile corruption cases in the past, the outlet noted.

The senior senator from New Jersey’s seat is currently being battled for between Democratic Representative Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw. Menendez had been running as an independent before his resignation. He has not announced whether he will exit the race.