A three-term senator with a deep-rooted history in New Jersey’s rugged political landscape, Menendez has pledged to confront the latest charges head-on, casting doubt on the indictment’s validity. In a statement, he framed the indictment in political terms and affirmed his commitment to continue his work in the Senate.

“For years, forces behind the scenes have repeatedly attempted to silence my voice and dig my political grave,” Menendez stated, echoing a sentiment he expressed six years earlier when he addressed those who sought to undermine his political career, vowing not to forget their efforts.

However, unlike his first federal corruption trial, support for Menendez within New Jersey’s Democratic establishment waned significantly on Friday. Prominent figures such as Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, leaders of the Democrat-led Legislature, and the state party chairman called for his immediate resignation.

“The gravity of the allegations significantly hampers Senator Menendez’s capacity to adequately serve the interests of our state’s citizens. Consequently, I emphatically urge him to resign promptly,” declared Murphy.

Despite the growing pressure, some long-time associates of Menendez emphasize his resilience and predict that he won’t step down without a fight, at least for now.

“In the end, Senator Menendez will have to consider what is best for his own well-being and that of his family,” He’s known for his resilience; I’ve never encountered anyone as tenacious as he is,” remarked Steve Sweeney, the former Democratic Senate president.

Bob Menendez, aged 69, has navigated the political landscape for nearly five decades. The son of Cuban immigrants and a lawyer by profession, he began his political career at an early age, serving as a Union City, New Jersey, school board member at 20, even before graduating from law school. His dedication to combating corruption became apparent early on, as he testified against Union City officials and built a reputation for toughness. He subsequently progressed to the state Assembly, then the state Senate, before entering the U.S. House.

In 2006, Menendez was appointed to the U.S. Senate, and he was elected outright in 2006, 2012, and 2018. He chaired the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee starting in 2013 but lost that position after the earlier indictment. He later regained the role when federal prosecutors did not renew charges in that case, which ultimately ended in a mistrial.

Following the recent charges, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that Menendez would “temporarily” step down from his position as chairman until the matter is resolved.

In the 2018 election, which followed the 2017 mistrial, the Republican Party invested heavily in defeating Menendez, but he emerged victorious and has shown no inclination toward retirement.

“People have underestimated Bob Menendez continuously throughout his career and have almost always been surprised at the end when he emerges victorious,” remarked Benjamin Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship.

Menendez, along with his wife Nadine, who was also indicted on Friday, tied the knot in 2020. Their relationship commenced in 2018, culminating in an engagement in 2019. Interestingly, their engagement took place during a visit to an IHOP restaurant in Union City, a location frequently frequented by Menendez.

In Congress, Menendez has been a vocal advocate for immigration reform, women’s reproductive rights, and key Biden administration policies, such as the 2021 Inflation Reduction Act. His progressive politics align well with New Jersey, where there are over 1 million more registered Democrats than Republicans, making his popularity a significant factor in his longevity in public office.

However, political observers remain cautious about his future in light of the serious charges. Loretta Weinberg, former Senate Majority Leader, emphasized the need for serious decisions to address the situation within the party.

“I perceive this as a highly significant matter. There will likely be critical decisions on the horizon. It’s imperative that the party carefully deliberates on how to address this situation,” she commented.

Messages seeking comments from the governor and party spokespeople were not immediately returned on Friday.

The first time Menendez faced indictment, authorities alleged that he used his political influence to assist a Florida eye doctor who showered him with lavish gifts and campaign contributions. The charges included pressuring officials to resolve a Medicare billing dispute in favor of Dr. Salomon Melgen, obtaining visas for the doctor’s girlfriends, and protecting a contract for the doctor to provide port-screening equipment to the Dominican Republic. Menendez proclaimed his innocence and was not retried after a jury deadlocked in 2017.

The new set of charges unveiled on Friday accuses Menendez of repeatedly taking actions to benefit Egypt, despite concerns about the country’s human rights record. These actions include ghost-writing a letter to fellow senators encouraging them to release $300 million in aid to Egypt and transmitting non-public information to Egyptian officials regarding military matters. Additionally, Menendez is charged with attempting to interfere with the criminal case against a businessman advocating for Philip R. Sellinger’s appointment as U.S. attorney for New Jersey, believing that he could influence Sellinger, as well as using his position to meddle in a separate investigation by the New Jersey attorney general’s office.