Bob Menendez won’t appear on the November ballot after all, Save Jerseyans.
“Please be advised that as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in this November’s election I am advising you that I wish to have my name withdrawn from the ballot,” the incumbent informed New Jersey’s Division of Elections.
Menendez had initially decided to seek reelection as an independent this year after it became clear that his party would nominate another Democrat following his second career federal corruption indictment. Some speculated that it was a fundraising ploy designed to fill his coffers for a legal defense fund. Others believes he was motivated by spite. Ultimately, there was little for the multi-decade politician to lose. But Menendez was subsequently convicted by a jury and, with an October sentencing date and an expensive appeal process ahead of him, the long-time Democrat elected official is officially deciding to throw in the towel.
Democrat Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw are competing to succeed Menendez in the U.S. Senate.
Republicans had hoped (but didn’t voice) Menendez might siphon votes from Kim and, in so doing, give them GOP its best chance to flip a New Jersey Senate seat in decades.
“Bob Menendez’s corruption has been a distraction in New Jersey government and politics for years. It’s time to move on with this election and make it a clean, straight-forward race focusing on the issues facing our state,” said Bashaw in a statement. “New Jerseyans deserve a change from the failed Democratic monopoly that has brought us nothing but corruption, higher taxes, and chaos at the border. This November, I’m confident voters will choose a center-right businessman over a far-left bureaucrat.”
