Senator Bob Menendez to Run as Independent in New Jersey Senate Race

US Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey has announced his intention to potentially run as an independent Democrat in the general election.

“Therefore, I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. 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,” said US Senator Menendez in a 9-minute and 37-second video.

This decision follows Menendez’s choice not to seek reelection in the Democratic primary this June, amid facing bribery accusations, which he denies. Menendez expressed hope for exoneration this summer, which would enable his independent run.

“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,” says US Senator Menendez. “This would allow me the time to not only remind New Jerseyans of how I’ve succeeded in being your champion but also how we will secure our financial futures, meet the challenges of raising a family, owning a home, providing for a college education, and securing a more peaceful world for all of us to live in.”

In his announcement, Menendez cited his desire for political discourse to concentrate on issues important to New Jerseyans rather than the accusations against him. Notably, New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy and Congressman Andy Kim have announced their candidacy for Menendez’s Senate seat, both running in the Democratic primary.

“Unfortunately, the present accusations I am facing, of which I am innocent and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign.”