Washington Examiner’s Sarah Bedford says Democrats want Menendez to resign due to reelection chances

The Washington Examiner’s Sarah Bedford said Tuesday that she believes the Democratic Party wants Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to resign from office due to the corruption scandal he faces affecting his reelection chances in 2024.

Federal prosecutors on Friday announced corruption charges against Menendez, who has maintained his innocence, for allegedly using his position of power to help Egypt’s government in exchange for bribes. Bedford, an investigative reporter for the Washington Examiner, noted that Democrats calling for Menendez’s resignation likely see his 2024 reelection chances as low, as the party almost lost the 2021 gubernatorial election in New Jersey.

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“Phil Murphy almost lost his reelection bid,” Bedford said. “And so Democrats have to worry that if Bob Menendez, who is in cycle right now — he’s up for re-election next year. If he fights a reelection battle while fighting court charges, that could leave the door open to losing what would otherwise be a safe Democratic seat. So, I can see why Democrats want him out of there.”

Bedford also noted that Menendez running for reelection amid his charges could counter Democrats’ criticism of former President Donald Trump for running for president again while facing his own set of indictments. Bedford claimed that Democrats’ “entire” 2024 strategy involves “painting Donald Trump as guilty and unfit to serve because he’s under indictment.

“So to have a prominent Democrat, who is fighting arguably more serious charges of corruption at the same time, that really undermines their message,” Bedford said.

Eighteen Democratic senators have called for Menendez to step down, including John Fetterman (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), with the latter arguing that doing so would be “best for those Sen. Menendez has spent his life serving.”

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“Stepping down is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgment that holding public office often demands tremendous sacrifices at great personal cost,” Booker stated. “Sen. Menendez has made these sacrifices in the past to serve. And in this case he must do so again. I believe stepping down is best for those Sen. Menendez has spent his life serving.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated Tuesday that Menendez stepping down would be up to him and “the Senate leadership,” but noted that the charges are “a serious matter.”