Days before his resignation, Sen. Bob Menendez terminates independent campaign
The decision marks the conclusion of a fifty-year political journey that started with a position on a New Jersey school board and ultimately led to remarkable influence on the international scene.
TroibNews 
Convicted Sen. Bob Menendez on Friday removed his independent candidacy from the November ballot, effectively putting an end to any uncertainty regarding his potential impact on the election for the party that has distanced itself from him.
This decision also marks the conclusion of a political career spanning half a century, starting with a position on a New Jersey school board and culminating in significant influence on the international stage. Earlier in the day, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that he would appoint former chief of staff George Helmy to the Senate seat that Menendez intends to vacate soon.
“Please be advised that as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in this November’s election I am advising you that I wish to have my name withdrawn from the ballot,” Menendez stated in a letter submitted to the state division of elections.
Menendez had asserted that he would pursue reelection as an "independent Democrat" if he were exonerated from corruption allegations, and in June, he had gathered well over the required petition signatures to secure his place on the independent ballot.
However, Menendez was not exonerated. In fact, a jury found him guilty in July on 16 counts of corruption. Even though he plans to resign from the Senate on Tuesday, he had not clarified whether he would stay on the ballot until Friday, which was the deadline for withdrawal with the New Jersey Secretary of State.
Some New Jersey Republicans had hoped that Menendez's candidacy could act as a spoiler in the upcoming Senate race between three-term Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw. Murphy indicated that Helmy would temporarily occupy Menendez's seat until a winner in that race is confirmed, at which point he will appoint that individual.
Republicans have not secured a U.S. Senate election victory in New Jersey since 1972, but the political landscape has shifted significantly, particularly with Vice President Kamala Harris on the top of the ticket. Additionally, Menendez’s trial brought forth daily negative coverage about his alleged acceptance of bribes to assist foreign governments and influence legal proceedings.
Since 2006, Menendez has served in the Senate, gaining national recognition as the chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. His extensive political career included roles in the U.S. House, state Senate, and Assembly, and as mayor of Union City, beginning with his tenure on the Union City school board.
Menendez's son, Rob, who is a first-term House member and has benefited from his father's influence in New Jersey's Democratic politics, secured a primary victory in June over Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, positioning himself favorably for reelection in his strongly Democratic district.
While Bob Menendez was once a formidable Democratic power broker, he faced swift abandonment from state Democrats just hours after his September 2023 indictment. This swift reaction sharply contrasted with the loyalty he received following a previous indictment in 2015, which ultimately resulted in a 2017 mistrial.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
This decision also marks the conclusion of a political career spanning half a century, starting with a position on a New Jersey school board and culminating in significant influence on the international stage. Earlier in the day, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that he would appoint former chief of staff George Helmy to the Senate seat that Menendez intends to vacate soon.
“Please be advised that as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in this November’s election I am advising you that I wish to have my name withdrawn from the ballot,” Menendez stated in a letter submitted to the state division of elections.
Menendez had asserted that he would pursue reelection as an "independent Democrat" if he were exonerated from corruption allegations, and in June, he had gathered well over the required petition signatures to secure his place on the independent ballot.
However, Menendez was not exonerated. In fact, a jury found him guilty in July on 16 counts of corruption. Even though he plans to resign from the Senate on Tuesday, he had not clarified whether he would stay on the ballot until Friday, which was the deadline for withdrawal with the New Jersey Secretary of State.
Some New Jersey Republicans had hoped that Menendez's candidacy could act as a spoiler in the upcoming Senate race between three-term Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw. Murphy indicated that Helmy would temporarily occupy Menendez's seat until a winner in that race is confirmed, at which point he will appoint that individual.
Republicans have not secured a U.S. Senate election victory in New Jersey since 1972, but the political landscape has shifted significantly, particularly with Vice President Kamala Harris on the top of the ticket. Additionally, Menendez’s trial brought forth daily negative coverage about his alleged acceptance of bribes to assist foreign governments and influence legal proceedings.
Since 2006, Menendez has served in the Senate, gaining national recognition as the chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations. His extensive political career included roles in the U.S. House, state Senate, and Assembly, and as mayor of Union City, beginning with his tenure on the Union City school board.
Menendez's son, Rob, who is a first-term House member and has benefited from his father's influence in New Jersey's Democratic politics, secured a primary victory in June over Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, positioning himself favorably for reelection in his strongly Democratic district.
While Bob Menendez was once a formidable Democratic power broker, he faced swift abandonment from state Democrats just hours after his September 2023 indictment. This swift reaction sharply contrasted with the loyalty he received following a previous indictment in 2015, which ultimately resulted in a 2017 mistrial.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
