The Monmouth University Polling Institute released results Thursday of a poll that asked New Jersey residents their opinion of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s legal troubles. A majority (63%) said he should resign now. Just 16% said they approve of the job he’s doing.
Menendez dodged cameras on Capitol Hill Thursday and told CNN he has no plans to resign, despite being hit with a third indictment in the sweeping federal bribery case against him.
Asked whether he will seek reelection, Menendez said, “That’s a different question.”
Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said support for Menendez continues to tumble. “We have his first indictment back in 2015 and the trial that he went through, and at that time, New Jersey voters — and that includes most Republicans — said, ‘Even if I don’t like him, even though I think he might be guilty, he deserves the chance to stand trial, clear his name, and then if he clears his name, continue in his job,’” Murray said.
“At this point, they’re not saying that,” Murray added. “And they’re being joined by Democrats and independents alike, who are saying that it’s time to go.”
