{"id":104858,"date":"2024-03-22T09:04:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T09:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lascrucestoday.com\/newstalklc\/sen-bob-menendez-not-running-for-another-term-as-democrat-suggests-he-could-go-independent\/"},"modified":"2024-03-22T09:04:03","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T09:04:03","slug":"sen-bob-menendez-not-running-for-another-term-as-democrat-suggests-he-could-go-independent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lascrucestoday.com\/newstalklc\/sen-bob-menendez-not-running-for-another-term-as-democrat-suggests-he-could-go-independent\/","title":{"rendered":"Sen. Bob Menendez not running for another term as Democrat, suggests he could go independent"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Sen. Bob Menendez arrives for a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2024. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

(WASHINGTON) — New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez said on Thursday that will not seek another term as a Democrat, as he faces corruption and other charges that he denies — but he left open the possibility of running in November as an independent.<\/p>\n

“I will not file for the Democratic primary this June,” he said in a video statement. “I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.”<\/p>\n

He continued: “This would allow me the time to not only remind New Jerseyans of how I’ve succeeded in being your champion — but how we will secure our financial futures, meet the challenges of raising a family, owning a home, provide for a college education and secure a more peaceful world for all of us to live in.”<\/p>\n

Menendez, should he run as an independent, would likely face a serious challenge from the Democratic nominee, given the state’s partisan lean. Gov. Phil Murphy’s wife, Tammy Murphy, and Rep. Andy Kim, are currently the leading candidates in the primary.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors have accused Menendez of conspiring with his wife and a businessman to have the senator act as an agent of Egypt. According to the criminal accusations against him, in exchange for bribe payments, Menendez was meant to help lift a block on U.S. military aid to Egypt.<\/p>\n

He has also been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for doing favors for the government of Qatar.<\/p>\n

As he has consistently done since first being indicted in September, Menendez on Thursday maintained his innocence in his video. His wife has also denied wrongdoing.<\/p>\n

“I know many of you are hurt and disappointed in me with the accusations I am facing. … All I can ask of you is to withhold judgement until justice takes place,” he said.<\/p>\n

He spent most of his taped statement touting his accomplishments during his time in the Senate, focusing on time after Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n