U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has, apparently, decided not to seek re-election this November.
Menendez, though, has yet to officially announce his decision publicly.
This news comes from the New York Post. The outlet cites "a source close to [Menendez]."
Per the outlet:
Embattled New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will not run for re-election in November, although he still refuses to hand in his resignation, The Post has learned. “He will not be running,” a source close to the 70-year-old three-term senator told The Post.
If the Post's reporting is accurate, then this really is not that big of a surprise. This is because Menendez - and his wife, Nadine Menendez - have run into trouble with the law.
Fox News reports, "The couple are being investigated over allegations that they accepted bribes of gold bars, cash, and a luxury car from three favor-seeking New Jersey businessmen."
Menendez was arrested last fall, and he and his wife have now been charged with 18 crimes. The number reached 18, this week after new charges were added to the indictment.
The Post separately reported:
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife Nadine were charged Tuesday with lying to federal investigators in a new, expanded indictment . . . Both Menendez, 70, and Nadine were charged with new obstruction of justice and additional bribery counts in the fourth version of an indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
The Menendez's have, thus far, maintained their innocence, including by pleading "not guilty" in court. The trial is currently scheduled for May.
There have been widespread calls for Menendez to resign from the U.S. Senate. He has refused to do so - although he has resigned from his position as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Just recently, Menendez reiterated to Forbes that he will not be resigning. But, when asked if he will seek reelection, Menendez said, "Ah, that's another question."
This would suggest that the Post's latest reporting, indicating that Menendez will not seek reelection, is probably accurate. But, once again, Menendez has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
In addition to all of his legal problems, Menendez - if he does try to seek reelection - is already facing a significant Democratic primary challenge - in fact, he is facing two significant primary challenges.
So, one way or another, it is looking as though Menendez's days as a U.S. Senator are numbered.
