Bob Menendez/YouTube

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has declined to seek reelection as a Democrat.

Menendez made the announcement in a YouTube video that was posted on X/Twitter on Thursday and is leaving open the possibility of running as an impartial.

The New Jersey senator and his wife Nadine Menendez are dealing with an 18-depend indictment in federal courtroom over allegations he acted as a international agent and common bribes to strengthen the pursuits of Egypt while serving on the Senate International Relations Committee. He has pleaded now not guilty to all counts.

“Sadly the current accusations I’m going through, of which I am harmless and will prove so, won’t permit me to have that type of communicate and debate with political opponents which have already made it the cornerstone of their marketing campaign,” he said in the video. “New Jerseyans deserve higher than that.”

Menendez has confronted growing calls to resign or as a minimum no longer are seeking reelection. The filing cut-off date to run in New Jersey is Monday, March 25 and the Senate main will be held on June four when Menendez would virtually for sure go down in defeat.

The senator’s decision may very smartly be pushed by means of a financial calculation moderately than a political one. As NBC News congressional correspondent Julie Tsirkin mentioned last week:

One thing that’s attention-grabbing right here, simply to point out here, one of the most causes probably that Menendez can be doing this. Why would he be seeking to keep on the pollin a race that Democrats have called him to depart? That Democrats right here in Congress have effectively told him to resign and retire from? Well, it’s as a result of these legal bills, they’re pricey. And unquestionably one of the most ways that he can fundraise more is if he stays as a candidate on the ballot. He has identify recognition that way, he can still fundraise some cash from allies. We’ve considered this occur in the case of former President Trump, who has spent near or greater than $27 million of campaign cash on legal bills. So indisputably that is one thing awesome.

The publish Dealing with Indictment, Sen. Menendez Will Not Run for Reelection as a Democrat – But Could Make Impartial Bid first appeared on Mediaite.