U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez at his election night rally in November 2018. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Ted Sherman and Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Six months after his indictment on wide-ranging federal corruption charges, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who has repeatedly defied calls for his resignation, announced Thursday he will not run in the Democratic primary for re-election.

But New Jersey’s senior senator left the door open for an independent campaign to retain his seat in the fall.

“I will not file for the Democratic primary this June. I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election,” Menendez said in a nine-minute video posted to his campaign social media account.

Menendez Won’t Run as Democrat but Leaves Door Open to Independent Bid (New York Times)
Embattled Sen. Bob Menendez says he won’t run in Democratic primary for Senate (CNN)


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