Sen. Bob Menendez — who was found guilty earlier this month on all 16 counts in his corruption trial — said Tuesday he will resign from office effective Aug. 20, ending a 50-year career in politics that reached the heights of power on the world stage.
“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work,” Menendez said in a letter processed in the Senate and obtained by POLITICO.On Monday, the Senate Ethics Committee said it would begin an “adjudicatory review” of alleged violations by Menendez that’s necessary when considering actions such as “expulsion or censure.” considering several people to replace Menendez, including Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas and Nina Mitchell Wells, a former secretary of state in former Gov. Jon Corzine’s administration. All are women of color. George Helmy, the governor’s former chief of staff, is also being considered.Rep. Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee for Menendez’s seat, is heavily favored to win in November against Republican Curtis Bashaw. People close to Murphy have said he is unlikely to name Kim and he’s faced calls from Republicans — including his predecessors Tom Kean and Chris Christie — to appoint someone who will not run for the seat in order to avoid influencing the election, or at least the appearance of it.
