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WASHINGTON – Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey introduced on Saturday that he’s going to run towards Sen. Robert Menendez within the state’s Democratic primary for Senate subsequent yr, pronouncing he feels forced to run towards the three-term senator after he and his spouse have been indicted on sweeping corruption charges.
Kim’s wonder announcement got here as a rising choice of Democrats are calling for Menendez to step down. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman become the primary Democratic senator to take action, and a number of other individuals of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, in conjunction with the state’s Democratic governor, have stated he must surrender.
“This is not something I expected to do, but I believe New Jersey deserves better,” Kim stated in a commentary. “We cannot jeopardize the Senate or compromise our country’s integrity. I believe it’s time we restore faith in our democracy, and that’s why I am stepping up and running for Senate.”
The calls for Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, come after he and his spouse Nadine have been indicted on Friday for the use of his tough place to assist the authoritarian govt of Egypt and in addition to power federal prosecutors to drop a case towards a buddy. The three-count indictment lists a sequence of bribes they have been paid by way of 3 New Jersey businessmen in trade for the corrupt acts — gold bars, a luxurious automobile and money.
It is the second indictment on bribery fees for Menendez — and the second one time he has needed to relinquish his post as the highest Democrat at the Foreign Relations panel. He regained the management spot in 2018 after the case ended with a deadlocked jury.
The instant calls for his resignation are a distinction from when he used to be first charged 8 years in the past, signaling that he may well be in serious trouble with his birthday party, and with his electorate, as his 2024 reelection approaches.
Menendez used to be defiant after Friday’s indictment, pronouncing in a commentary Friday night that “I am not going anywhere.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced that Menendez must step down as chairman consistent with Senate Democratic caucus regulations, since he has been charged with a prison. But he didn’t name for Menendez to step down.
In a commentary on Saturday, Fetterman become the primary Senate Democrat to take action, pronouncing that his Senate colleague is “entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations. I hope he chooses an honorable exit and focuses on his trial.”
Several Democrats in New Jersey’s House delegation also known as on Menendez to head, together with Reps. Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Mikie Sherrill and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
“This is a sad day for our great state,” stated Pascrell, a senior member of the House who has served within the New Jersey delegation with Menendez for nearly 3 a long time. “The hallmark of our justice system is the presumption of innocence and the senator deserves his day in court. But given the gravity of these charges, I do not believe that Senator Menendez can continue to carry out the important duties of his office for our state.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy additionally demanded Menendez’s instant resignation, pronouncing the allegations have been “so serious” that they compromise the senator’s ability to serve.
Two notable New Jersey Democrats who have not called on Menendez to step down: Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, his New Jersey colleague in the Senate, and his son, Rep. Rob Menendez, who said in a statement that he has “unwavering confidence” in his father.
Authorities who searched Menendez’s home last year found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars, as well as over $480,000 in cash — much of it hidden in closets, clothing and a safe, prosecutors say. The indictment includes photos of cash stuffed in envelopes in jackets bearing Menendez’s name and of a luxury car that prosecutors say was given to the couple as a bribe from the businessmen.
Prosecutors say Menendez directly interfered in criminal investigations, including by pushing to install a federal prosecutor in New Jersey he believed could be influenced in a criminal case against a businessman and associate of the senator. He also tried to use his position of power to try to meddle in a separate criminal investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General’s office, the indictment says.
Other accusations include repeated actions by Menendez to benefit Egypt despite U.S. government misgivings over the country’s human rights record that in recent years have prompted Congress to attach restrictions on aid. His efforts include ghostwriting a letter to fellow senators encouraging them to lift a hold on $300 million in aid to Egypt, one of the top recipients of U.S. government support, as well as transmitting nonpublic information to Egyptian officials through communications with the businessmen.
Menendez responded that there was an “active smear campaign” against him.
“For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave,” he said in a statement.
David Schertler, a attorney for Menendez’s spouse, Nadine, stated she “denies any criminal conduct and will vigorously contest these charges in court.”
