Sen. Bob Menendez plans to resign from Congress next month after his conviction on federal corruption charges, succumbing to mounting pressure from Democrats while ending a three-decade congressional career in disgrace.
The resignation announcement marks a dramatic downfall for the 70-year-old Menendez, a perennial force in New Jersey politics and former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee who avoided a conviction on different corruption charges in 2017.
New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said he received a letter from Menendez that said the senator plans to resign on Aug. 20. The governor plans to make a temporary appointment. Menendez’s term ends in January.