Bob Menendez

The Democrat from New Jersey was convicted on bribery and other charges last month. Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint Menendez’s replacement ahead of the November general election.

A New York City jury convicted the New Jersey senator of accepting bribes to benefit businessmen in his home state and the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez said he chose not to testify at his trial because he believes prosecutors failed to prove the bribery case against him. Closing arguments may begin as early as Monday.

Menendez had said this year that he would not seek the Democratic nomination to pursue a fourth term, and on Monday he filed paperwork with the state to launch an independent bid on the ballot.

Sen. Robert Menendez, a powerful Democrat from New Jersey, goes on trial in Manhattan on federal corruption charges. Two New Jersey businessmen accused of bribing him are his co-defendants.

But the New Jersey Democrat said he hopes to be exonerated and "pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in a general election."

"I thought my ethically-challenged colleague" should hear from former Rep. George Santos, said Sen. John Fetterman. He hired Santos to record a message for Sen. Bob Menendez.

Menendez has refused to step down as New Jersey's senior senator even amid growing calls from his fellow Democratic senators.

Democrats are abandoning New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez in the wake of his federal indictment in a corruption scheme involving his wife and local businessmen.

Some House members and top New Jersey Democrats, including the governor, called for the senator's resignation after he was indicted Friday on federal corruption charges.