Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), the son of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), is seeking re-election after his father was indicted on corruption charges last week.
The elder Menendez was indicted Friday for allegedly accepting bribes, including $100,000 in gold bullion and $480,000 in cash, in return for official acts supporting an Egyptian-American businessman and the Egyptian government.
But his son, a freshman congressman, appears undeterred by his father’s legal troubles and is seeking another term.
“I will run for re-election based on this record so that I can continue to serve the residents of this district that I love, in stark contrast to those who may be running to further their own political ambitions,” Rob Menendez said in a statement released Monday, according to Politico.
Rob Menendez defended his father in a statement shortly after the charges were made public.
“I believe strongly in his integrity and values and look forward to him putting this distraction behind him and continuing to fight for our state in the United States Senate,” he said.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla (D) is reportedly considering a challenge against Rob Menendez. according to the New Jersey Globe.
Meanwhile, several prominent Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Peter Welch (Vt.) and John Fetterman (Pa.), as well as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), have called on Bob Menendez to resign.
The New Jersey senator has denied wrongdoing and refused to resign, saying those calling for his removal were “rushing to court.”
“I will be exonerated and will continue to be New Jersey’s senior senator,” he said at a news conference Monday.
Bob Menendez has not yet officially confirmed whether he will seek another term. However, Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has already announced he will run for the seat and others may follow suit.
The senator and his wife, Nadine Menendez, who also face bribery allegations, are expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.
If convicted, they face up to 45 years in prison. according to Reuters.
This is not the first accusation against Menendez. In 2015, he was charged with corruption, but the case ended in a hung jury.