Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) announced on Thursday that he will not run in the Democratic primary amid federal bribery charges.
Menendez, who led the Biden administration's foreign policy agenda through the Senate as the chair of the powerful Committee on Foreign Relations until he was forced to step down last year, expressed hope that he will be exonerated and able to run for reelection as an independent.
“I will not file for the Democratic primary this June,” Menendez began. ““I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in a general election.”
The Daily Wire reports:
Menendez and his wife were indicted on federal charges in September for allegedly accepting bribes from three businessmen in exchange for actions that he took as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. According to the DOJ, the bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.
Menendez was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent.
Prosecutors later said in a revised indictment that he also allegedly used his clout to help a friend secure a multi-million dollar investment deal from the Qatari government in-part by taking actions that benefited Qatar.
In a subsequent superseding indictment, Menendez was charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, public official acting as a foreign agent, bribery, extortion and honest services wire fraud.
Last week, NBC News congressional correspondent Julie Tsirkin reported that Menendez was considering an independent bid to help him pay for his legal defense.
During an on-air conversation with MSNBC's José Díaz-Balart, Tsirkin revealed:
“The embattled senator, who has faced many charges in his multiple court battles, is now apparently eyeing an independent run for Senate. This is for several reasons, the first being that he would have only until March 25, and he would need a thousand signatures to get on the ballot as a Democrat in New Jersey, a field that is already pretty crowded with Congressman Andy Kim running, also the First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy. Instead, running as independent would give him a longer runway until June 4. I'm told you only need 800 signatures.”
Menendez and his wife Nadine are both facing 18 federal charges.
READ NEXT: Fox News Shocks America With Unexpected Move During Press Conference
