Gov. Phil Murphy on hunt to replace Sen. Bob Menendez

Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey sent in his letter of resignation to Governor Phil Murphy Tuesday, giving the governor a one month notice to allow him to appoint a placeholder to fill his seat until the term is over at the beginning of next year. 

“This will give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close out my Senate affairs,” said Menendez in the letter. 

Menendez’s decision to resign comes after being found guilty on 16 charges in his corruption trial by a Manhattan jury last week.

“I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to the United States Senate to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve,” said Murphy on X.

Democratic leaders, including U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, have been calling for Menendez to step down since he was indicted in September of last year. 

“I call on Senator Menendez to resign. I originally did so last fall because of the severity of the allegations against him and how they shook the public’s trust. Now, with this conviction, the urgency for Senator Menendez to step down and for the governor to appoint a replacement has even more urgency,” said Booker in a statement after the guilty verdict was decided.

Speculations of Murphy’s possible picks to replace Menendez have been going around, one being his wife. First Lady Tammy Murphy said in a statement on social media that she would not accept the position if appointed and is keeping her focus on infant and maternal health. 

“While I’m grateful for the humbling support and outreach I've received since last year, I want to reiterate that I will not accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate,” she said.

She was running for the U.S. Senate against U.S. Representative Andy Kim, but dropped out of the race in March.

Sentencing for Menendez and the other two businessmen is scheduled for October 29, 2024.