Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is considering running for re-election in November as an independent candidate, NBC News reported Thursday, as the embattled Democrat faces more than a dozen federal charges.
The New Jersey Senator and his wife have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include bribery ... [+]
Citing two unnamed sources, Menendez is reportedly preparing to collect signatures to run as an independent in November’s election.
Menendez would need 800 signatures by June 4 to qualify for the independent ballot, compared to the 1,000 signatures he would need by March 25 as a Democrat, according to New Jersey’s Division of Elections.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine Menendez, have pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging bribery, extortion and obstruction of justice, which amount to 18 counts after multiple superseding indictments.
A representative for Menendez did not immediately respond to Forbes’ requests for comment.
Menendez’s trial is slated to begin on May 6, after U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein denied his bid to delay the proceeding.
Jose Uribe, a co-defendant in Menendez’s bribery case, pleaded guilty to seven counts, including conspiracy to commit bribery and obstruction of justice, on March 1. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14.
The New Jersey Democrat and his wife were indicted on Sept. 22 on various bribery charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion. Less than a month later, on Oct. 12, Menendez was accused of acting as a foreign agent. Another superseding indictment followed in January that accused Menendez of making positive comments about Qatar throughout 2021 and 2022 in exchange for millions of dollars allegedly given to a real estate project of Fred Daibes, a New Jersey developer who was charged alongside Menendez. The most recent indictment against Menendez and his wife was filed on March 5, accusing the pair of making false statements about car and loan payments that prosecutors allege were bribes. Daibes and Wael Hana, two co-defendants that have also pleaded not guilty, also faced additional charges in the March 5 indictment.
Indicted Sen. Bob Menendez is considering running for re-election as an independent, sources say (NBC News)
Sen. Bob Menendez Pleads Not Guilty To Obstruction Of Justice Charges (Forbes)
Sen. Menendez Hit With New Bribery Allegations In Superseding Indictment (Forbes)
Sen. Bob Menendez Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty To Attempting Bribery, Other Counts (Forbes)