Democratic Senator Bob Menéndez from New Jersey is expected to resign from his Senate seat starting August 20, according to several sources close to the matter.
The CNN channel reported that the governor of New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy, will likely appoint a replacement to complete Menéndez's term, which ends on January 3, 2025.
In the general elections in November, Democratic representative Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw will compete for the seat being vacated by Menéndez, who had announced his intention to seek re-election this year as an independent before becoming involved in a corruption scandal.
The decision comes after being found guilty earlier this month on 16 charges, including bribery, extortion, electronic fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent, due to his involvement in a prolonged bribery scheme.
In recent months, the Cuban-American senator has been under increasing pressure from his own party to resign or face expulsion from the Senate.
Since his election in 1992, Menéndez has represented New Jersey in Congress, first as a representative and then as a senator.
The senator will face the judge's ruling on October 29 and has maintained his innocence, stating that he has always been a committed patriot to his country.
"I am very disappointed with the jury's decision," Menéndez stated after the guilty verdict against him.
Menéndez had already resigned last year as president of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but until now he had resisted leaving his seat in the U.S. Senate.
In the trial, prosecutors demonstrated that Menéndez attempted to use his influence to favor military interests of Egypt, interfere in criminal proceedings, and secure investments from Qatari officials, among other actions.
According to the accusations, Menéndez and his wife received gold bars, large sums of cash, a convertible Mercedes-Benz, and other bribes in exchange for their political favors.
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