Bob Menendez to announce run for New Jersey Senate seat amid federal trial

Embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) will reportedly file for reelection as an independent, a last-minute bid that is expected to come before Tuesday’s deadline and during his federal public corruption trial.

Menendez, 70, will file nominating petitions that he’s gathered in recent weeks that are signed by at least 800 people, which is the minimum requirement, according to the New Jersey Globe.

The Menendez campaign could not be reached. It is not clear whether Menendez has any campaign staff.

Menendez’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

The move comes as Menendez battles federal charges for allegedly accepting lavish bribes and working as a foreign agent of Egypt and Qatar. Due to his required presence at the Manhattan trial, Menendez will have a friend deliver the signatures to the state Division of Elections on Monday, according to the New Jersey Globe.

His campaign raised just over $1,200 in the first fundraising quarter of this year, according to federal election records. But running again means Menendez can continue raising funds and using them for legal expenses. He had more than $5.67 million cash on hand at the end of March.

Filing as an independent by Tuesday’s deadline gives Menendez until Aug. 16 to determine whether he wants to withdraw or continue to the November election. Menendez previously said that should he be exonerated, he’d seek a fourth term as an independent. He’s pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing in his case, which is expected to wrap before the Aug. 16 deadline.

Menendez did not run in the Democratic primary, which is Tuesday. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is expected to secure the nomination.

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But appearing as an independent on the general election ballot could act as a spoiler for Kim and hand the deep blue Garden State seat over to Republicans. Most Democratic senators have urged Menendez to resign, as others push him to quietly leave office at the end of his term in January.

“Everyone knows Bob Menendez isn’t running for NJ families. He’s running for himself,” Kim posted Monday on social media. “People are fed up with politicians putting their own personal benefit ahead of what’s right for the country. It’s beyond time for change. I’m stepping up to restore integrity back to the Senate.”