Sen. Bob Menendez — who was found guilty earlier this month on all 16 counts in his corruption trial — is expected to resign from office effective Aug. 20, according to two people familiar with his plans.
The senator is expected to submit a resignation letter as early as today, according to one person who was granted anonymity to discuss a pending decision.
The New Jersey Democrat, the state’s senior senator, will exit the Senate after chairing the powerful foreign relations committee — while, the jury found, accepting bribes to act on behalf of the Egyptian government. It marks a relatively swift and stunning end to a 50-year political career that effectively began in a courtroom as an anti-corruption newcomer who helped send his mentor to prison and finished in one convicted as a powerful senator on the take.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is expected to name a replacement soon.
But when asked Monday whether he was vetting names, Murphy told reporters at an unrelated event: “I have no news at all to make on that front.”