U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s corruption trial may have sidelined him from Tuesday’s primary election, but the indicted senior Democrat is entering the race.
Menendez filed a petition with 2,865 signatures before Tuesday’s filing deadline to run as an independent in November’s general election. He has said he will run if a jury exonerates him.
By filing to run as an independent candidate, Menendez can continue to raise money and use campaign funds to pay for his legal expenses. He could also make for a spoiler in the fight for his U.S. Senate seat.
Menendez’s formal entry into the race comes as he enters the fourth week of his federal bribery trial. He is accused of accepting mounds of cash and gold bars in exchange for political favors, including acting as a foreign agent for the Egyptian government.
Prosecutors picked up where they left off on Friday with a trove of texts and phone records they believe will prove their case.
