Sen. Bob Menendez defiantly rejected calls from fellow New Jersey Democrats to resign Friday after he and his wife were indicted, saying that believing in justice means someone accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades,” Menendez said in a statement issued by his office. “This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the state’s top Democrat who has the power to appoint a replacement, had urged Menendez to quit immediately, saying that the indictment unsealed against him and his wife earlier in the day included “deeply disturbing” charges.
