In a wild year here in the great Garden State, yet another political earthquake occurred Tuesday when a Manhattan federal jury convicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on all charges in his bribery and corruption case.
As NJBIZ reported , that led to reiterated calls from Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J, as well as for the first time from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for the Democratic senator from New Jersey to resign his seat.
Menendez has remained defiant since the verdict came down.
“Obviously, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal,” Menendez said outside the courthouse in Manhattan July 16 following the verdict. “I have never violated my public oath; I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country; I have never, ever been a foreign agent. And the decision rendered by the jury today would put at risk every member of the United States Senate in terms of what they think a foreign agent would be.”
Not surprisingly, reactions have poured in from around the state.Coming from a variety of leaders, candidates of different parties and beyond, most are united in calling for Menendez to step down.
Dj vuall over again
“This is a sad and somber day for New Jersey and our country. Our public servants should work for the people, and today we saw the people judge Sen. Menendez as guilty and unfit to serve,” said U.S. Rep. Andy
Kim , D-3rd District, the Democratic nominee in this year’s Senate election to replace Menendez. “I called on Sen. Menendez to step down when these charges were first made public, and now that he has been found guilty I believe the only course of action for him is to resign his seat immediately. The people of New Jersey deserve better.”
“This is a sad day for New Jersey, but one that feels all too familiar,” said Curtis Bashaw. The businessman secured the Republican nomination for the upcoming Senate race. “New Jersey families deserve better than the continued corruption and made-for-tv political scandals, courtesy of Bob Menendez and the Democratic machine. As yet another sordid chapter of New Jersey corruption closes, it’s time to say enough is enough.”
“Following this extremely serious verdict, I once again call on Sen. Menendez to immediately resign and for his access to classified national security information to be revoked,” said U.S. Rep. Mikie
Sherrill , D-11th District. “If he refuses to resign from the Senate, he should be expelled. New Jersey deserves leadership that puts the people and our country first not profit or self-interest.”
Executive aspirants weigh in
“While our judicial system has made it more and more difficult to hold corrupt politicians accountable in recent years, today’s guilty verdict is a strong statement that reaffirms trust and the credit goes to the Southern District for being undaunted in their prosecution,” said Jersey City Mayor and
2025 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop, a long-time critic of Menendez. “As we turn the page now, Bob Menendez’s legacy is cemented as a permanent embarrassment to New Jersey as one of the most corrupt elected officials to ever serve in a state that has unfortunately had its share of bad actors. Menendez should resign today and allow us all to move forward.”
“Corruption has no place in our government,” said former senate president and
2025 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Sweeney. “Sen. Menendez’s actions have betrayed the trust of New Jerseyans and underscores the need for accountability. It’s time for him to step down and allow our state to move forward with integrity.”
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Menendez coverage:
A timeline
- Sept. 22, 2023: Menendez hit with 3-count indictment; calls for resignation flow in
- Sept. 25, 2023: ‘Not going anywhere,’ Menendez indictment ripples across NJ
- Sept. 25, 2023: Defiant Menendez gears up for ‘biggest fight yet’
- Sept. 26, 2023: Booker agrees as calls mount for Menendez to resign
- Oct. 12, 2023: Superseding indictment accuses Menendez of acting as foreign agent
- Oct. 24, 2023: Menendez pleads not guilty to superseding foreign agent charge
- Jan. 3, 2024: Superseding indictment alleges Menendez accepted bribes to help Qatar
- March 6, 2024: Menendez faces new obstruction charges in superseding indictment
- March 22, 2024: Menendez won’t run in Senate Democratic primary
- July 16, 2024: Menendez found guilty on all counts in bribery, corruption case
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“A jury has convicted Sen. Bob Menendez on 16 counts of bribery and corruption,” said state Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-21st District,
a 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate. “Given the verdict, the senator should resign immediately or be expelled from the United States Senate. Corruption has no place in New Jersey and the actions of Sen. Menendez have brought shame on our great state.”
“It’s time for Sen. Menendez to resign,” said Jack Ciattarelli,
a 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate. “And in November, let’s elect the type of senator New Jersey deserves.”
Accountability
“Today’s verdict is a sad day for New Jersey, and I personally take no joy in the conviction of Bob Menendez,” said state Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District. “This outcome, however, underscores the importance of upholding the highest ethical standards in public service and is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or influence.”
“Those who are entrusted by the people with representing their interests should use that honor faithfully,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “When they fail to do so, they should be held accountable. Today, Sen. Menendez was. It is now time for him to resign immediately in the best interest of the people, the State of New Jersey, and the nation.”
“The conviction of a sitting United States Senator for bribery, extortion, and serving the interests of foreign powers, among other offenses, represents a sad day for our state and our country,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew
Platkin . “The jury’s verdict also serves to underscore the importance of prosecutor’s offices like the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District who have the difficult but critical job of holding powerful people who abuse the public’s trust accountable for their misconduct. In my office, as in offices like it across the nation, we will never rest in our effort to hold power to account and restore faith in our government officials and institutions.”
Menendez has not issued any further public statements since the post-verdict press conference. He has not reacted to the growing calls to resign either. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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