Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) will fight for a fourth term in the United States Senate as an independent as he faces federal corruption charges, the New Jersey Globe reports.
The senator declined to run for reelection as a Democrat in March, and has been debating an independent run since then. He reportedly began circulating a petition to appear on the ballot as an independent in May.
The couple allegedly used the senator’s power and influence to “protect and enrich” the businessmen and to “benefit the Arab Republic of Egypt,” according to the indictment in the New York Times.
Menendez was hit with additional allegations in January and is accused of accepting bribes from the Qatari royal family in exchange for speaking highly about Qatar. In exchange for his positive comments about Qatar, Menendez was allegedly given valuables like luxury wristwatches.
Authorities searching the couple’s New Jersey home reportedly found $600,000 in cash and gold bars hidden inside closets, in designer bags, and even in a pair of boots, among other hiding spots.
Menendez is in Lower Manhattan today for the twelfth day of his federal corruption trial. A friend reportedly will deliver his signatures to the state division of elections.
Four members of the Senate Democrat Caucus are independents: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Joe Manchin (I-WV). Sinema and Manchin are retiring at the end of this Congress, although Manchin switched his affiliation to independent on May 31, fueling speculation on his next move.
Bradley Jaye is a Capitol Hill Correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.
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