Bob Menendez

"Senator Menendez" redirects here. For the Texas state senator, seeJose Menendez.

"Robert Menendez" redirects here. For his son, the U.S. representative, seeRob Menendez.

Robert Menendez(/mɛˈnɛndɛz/;born January 1, 1954) is an American lawyer and former politician who served as aUnited States senatorfromNew Jerseyfrom 2006until his resignation in 2024 following his conviction on 16 counts in apolitical corruptioncase.He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January 2025.A member of theDemocratic Partyand theCuban–American lobby,he was first appointed to the Senate by GovernorJon Corzine,and chaired theUnited States Senate Committee on Foreign Relationsfrom 2013 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023.

Bob Menendez
Official portrait, 2022
United States Senator fromNew Jersey
In office January 17, 2006 – August 20, 2024
Preceded by	Jon Corzine
Succeeded by	George Helmy
Committee positions 2009–⁠2023 Chair of theSenate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 3, 2021 – September 22, 2023 Preceded by Jim Risch Succeeded by Ben Cardin In office February 1, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by John Kerry Succeeded by Bob Corker Ranking Member of theSenate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Ben Cardin Succeeded by Jim Risch In office January 3, 2015 – April 2, 2015 Preceded by Bob Corker Succeeded by Ben Cardin Chair of theDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 Leader Harry Reid Preceded by Chuck Schumer Succeeded by Patty Murray
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's13thdistrict
In office January 3, 1993 – January 16, 2006
Preceded by	Frank Joseph Guarini
Succeeded by	Albio Sires
House positions 1999–⁠2006 Chair of theHouse Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 2003 – January 16, 2006 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Martin Frost Succeeded by Jim Clyburn Vice Chair of theHouse Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Barbara B. Kennelly Succeeded by Jim Clyburn
Member of theNew Jersey Senate from the33rddistrict
In office March 4, 1991 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Christopher Jackman
Succeeded by	Bernard Kenny
Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly from the33rddistrict
In office January 12, 1988 – March 4, 1991
Preceded by	Jose Arango Ronald Dario
Succeeded by	Louis Romano
Mayor ofUnion City
In office May 20, 1986 – November 15, 1992
Preceded by	Arthur Wichert
Succeeded by	Bruce Walter
Personal details
Born	Robert Menendez (1954-01-01)January 1, 1954 New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Jane Jacobsen ​ ​ (m.1976;div.2005)​ Nadine Arslanian ​ (m.2020)​
Children	Alicia Rob
Education	Saint Peter's University(BA) Rutgers Law School(JD)
Signature
Criminal information
Conviction(s)	Bribery(2 counts) Wire fraud(3 counts) Extortion(3 counts) Obstruction of justice Being a public official acting as aforeign agent Conspiracy(7 counts)
Criminal penalty	11 years in prison
Date apprehended	September 22, 2023

In 1974, at age 20, Menendez was elected to theUnion City School District's Board of Education.He received degrees fromSaint Peter's UniversityandRutgers Law SchoolatRutgers University–Newark.In 1986, he was elected mayor ofUnion City.In 1988, while continuing to serve as mayor, he was elected to represent the state's 33rd district in theNew Jersey General Assembly,and in 1991 he moved to theNew Jersey Senateupon winning thespecial electionfor the 33rd Senate district. The next year, Menendez won a seat in theU.S. House of Representatives.He representedNew Jersey's 13th congressional districtfrom 1993 to 2006. In January 2006, Menendez was appointed to fill theU.S. Senateseat being vacated byJon Corzine(who had been electedgovernor of New Jersey). He waselected to a full six-year term in Novemberand reelected in2012and2018.

In 2015, Menendez was indicted on federalcorruptioncharges; the jury wasunable to reach a verdict,and the charges were dropped in 2018. In 2018, theUnited States Senate Select Committee on Ethics"severely admonished" Menendez for accepting gifts from donor Salomon Melgen without obtaining committee approval, failing to disclose certain gifts, and using his position as a senator to advance Melgen's interests.

In September 2023, Menendez was again indicted on federal corruption charges that he aided and provided sensitive information to the government ofEgypt.He stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but refused to resign from the Senate. In October 2023, Menendez was charged with conspiracy to act as aforeign agentof the Egyptian governmentfor accepting bribes in exchange for promoting Egypt's opposition to theGrand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam(GERD) on theBlue Nileand for trying to convince theU.S. State Departmentto adopt Egypt's stance on this issue. A superseding indictment in January 2024 accused Menendez of also working for the government ofQatar.In March, Menendez was indicted forobstruction of justice.In July, a jury found him guilty of all charges.He is the first sitting member of Congress to be convicted of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent.Menendez resigned from the Senate in Augustand was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in January 2025.

The case against Menendez gained significant attention when investigators discovered gold bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at his home. Judge Sidney Stein, who presided over the case, remarked during the sentencing, "Somewhere along the way... you lost your way. Working for the public good became working for your good". Prior to the sentencing, Menendez pleaded for leniency. Despite the conviction and sentencing, Menendez has maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal the verdict.

Early life

Menendez was born on January 1, 1954, inNew York CitytoCubanimmigrantswho had left Cuba a few months earlier, in 1953.His father, Mario Menéndez, was a carpenter, and his mother, Evangelina, was aseamstress.The family subsequently moved to New Jersey, where he grew up in an apartment inUnion City.He attendedUnion Hill High School,where his speech teacher, Gail Harper, helped him develop as a public speaker. Menendez has said, "My mother and Miss Harper made me understand the power of education, what it means to put a premium on learning and working hard."While at Union Hill, Menendez became the student body president.His father, Mario Menéndez, was reportedly a "compulsive gambler" who died by suicide on June 1, 1978, after deciding not to pay gambling debts.

Menendez became the first in his family to go to college,attendingSaint Peter's CollegeinJersey City,where he was a member of theLambda Theta Phifraternity.He graduated with aB.A.in political science and earned hisJuris Doctordegree fromRutgers Law Schoolin 1979.Menendez was admitted to the New Jerseybarin 1980and became a lawyer in private practice.

Early political career

Union City politics (1974–1992)

At the start of his career, Menendez was an aide toUnion Citymayor and state senatorWilliam V. Musto.In 1974, he was elected to theUnion City Board of Education,the youngest candidate ever to win election to the board.In 1982, he unsuccessfully challenged Musto for mayor.

In the1984 presidential electionand 1985 state elections forgovernorandGeneral Assembly,the Republican Party carriedHudson County,with crucial support fromJersey CitymayorGerald McCann.To build on their gains in the urban, normally Democratic county, Republicans made a significant investment in the 1986 municipal elections. In Union City, Republicans funded an "Alliance Civic Association" (ACA) ticket for city council, led by Republican AssemblymanRonald Dario.His running mates were two Republicans, Manny Alcobar and Charles Velli, and two Democrats, Menendez and future mayor Bruce Walter.

The ACA swept the council elections with 57% of the vote, beating the reform slate "Transformation '86" and the incumbent "Union City Together" ticket. The Together party, which included Musto's wife, Commissioner Rhyta Musto, represented the remnants of Musto's political machine.Although Republicans had formed and funded the ACA ticket on the premise that the new council would elect Dario mayor, Menendez and Walter convinced Alcobar to switch his vote to Menendez.

New Jersey legislature (1987–1992)

In November 1987, Menendez was elected to represent New Jersey's 33rd district in theGeneral Assembly.He also continued to serve as mayor until 1992. He held both offices until March 1991, when he moved from the Assembly to theNew Jersey Senateupon winning the special election following the death ofChristopher Jackman.

U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2006)

Elections

In 1992, incumbent Democratic U.S. CongressmanFrank Guarini,ofNew Jersey's 14th congressional district,retired after redistricting. The district had been renumbered as the13th districtand reconfigured as a Latino-majority district. Menendez decided to run in the primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district—and defeated Robert Haney Jr., 68%–32%.He defeatedNew Jersey Superior CourtJudge Fred J. Theemling Jr. in the general election with 64% of the vote.After that, he was reelected every two years with at least 71% of the vote until he was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2006.

Tenure

Menendez, who is described as very close to Republicans on foreign policy,voted for the failedKosovoResolution, authorizing the use of military force againstYugoslaviain theKosovo War.He was an early advocate of preventingIranfrom obtaining nuclear capabilities, sponsoring the Iran Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Act of 1998, which passed the House but failed to pass the Senate.

Representative Bob Menendez during the109th Congress

Menendez voted forAuthorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists,authorizing the President to usemilitary force in Afghanistanin response to the9/11 terrorist attacks.In 2002, Menendez voted against theIraq Resolutionto authorize the invasion of Iraq.

Menendez voted against theUnited Nations Reform Act of 2005,cutting U.S. funding to the U.N. by 50% over three years, and sponsored the Tsunami Orphans and Unaccompanied Children Act of 2005 to assist victims of the2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Menendez voted for thePATRIOT Actin 2001, and in 2006 for its reauthorization.

In the105th Congress,Menendez voted for theGramm-Leach-Bliley Act,repealing provisions of theGlass-Steagall Act of 1933that limitedinvestment banksfrom acquiringinsurance companiesor othercommercial banks,and voted for theCommodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.After the 2001Enron scandal,Menendez voted with 333 other House members for theSarbanes–Oxley Act.

Although he had sometimes been portrayed as the political Boss ofHudson County,he strongly dislikes this appellation, particularly because, according to an anonymous close source quoted in the December 11, 2005Union City Reporter,"there is no Boss of Hudson County".According to a 2005New York Timesop-ed, "Since entering politics as a corruption-fighting mayor of Union City, N.J., Mr. Menendez has become a proponent of business as usual. He has long been an entrenched de facto leader of the Hudson County Democratic machine."

In September 2006, just a few weeks before the2006 Senate elections,theU.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey, headed byChris Christie,began investigating a rental deal with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, subpoenaing records from them. Some Democrats criticized the investigation, particularly the timing of the investigation and news leaks, as politically motivated.

U.S. Senate (2006–2024)

In January 2006, GovernorJon Corzineappointed Menendez to fill the remaining year in Corzine's Senate term, from which Corzine resigned after being electedgovernor of New Jerseytwo months before. While several others had been mentioned, Menendez was the early favorite among pundits for Governor-elect Corzine's choice.Corzine's decision to appoint Menendez got the support of severalLatinogroups, including theNational Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.Menendez was the sixth Latino to serve in the United States Senate.

In 2015, Menendez was ranked #1 onThe Hudson Reporter's annual Power List of the "Fifty Most Powerful Political Figures inHudson County".

Elections

Official portrait, 2013

1996

Main article:1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey

When incumbent U.S. SenatorBill Bradleydecided to retire in August 1995,Menendez made known his intention to run in the 1996 election for the seat, but eventually dropped out of the race and endorsedRobert Torricelli,the Democrat representingNew Jersey's 9th congressional district.Similarly, in 1999, when the state's other U.S. Senator,Frank Lautenberg,announced his planned retirement, Menendez again decided not to run, with the Democratic nomination for the 2000 race going toGoldman SachsCEOJon Corzine,who won thegeneral election.

2006

Main article:2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey

In the midterm elections held on November 7, near the end of his one-year appointment, Menendez ran to retain his Senate seat. He defeated RepublicanThomas Kean Jr.,incumbent minority whip in theNew Jersey Senate,and son of former state governorThomas Kean,with 53% of the vote to Kean's 45%.

Menendez was endorsed by several newspapers includingThe New York Times,The Philadelphia Inquirer,The Star-Ledger,andThe Record.

Official portrait, 2015

2012

Main article:2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Menendez ran for reelection to a second full term and defeated RepublicanJoe Kyrilloson November 6, with 58% of the vote to Kyrillos's 39%.

2018

Main article:2018 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Menendez ran for reelection to a third full term and defeated RepublicanBob Huginon November 6, with 54% of the vote to Hugin's 42%.

2024

Main article:2024 United States Senate election in New Jersey

In January 2024, Menendez was charged with corruption for promoting the interests ofQatarwhile receiving various illicit gifts such as cash, gold bars, and aMercedes-Benzautomobile.On March 21, he announced that he would not run in the Democratic primary due to his indictment on federal corruption charges. He did not rule out running as anindependent.On June 3, Menendez officially filed to run as an independent. He told theAssociated Pressthat despite running as an independent he would not leave the Democratic Party.But on July 23, upon his criminal conviction, Menendez announced his resignation from the Senate altogether.

Committee assignments

As of July 2019, Menendez serves on theUnited States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs;theUnited States Senate Committee on Finance;and theUnited States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee on Finance
• Committee on Foreign Relations(suspended chair)

Caucus memberships

• Armenian Caucus
• Congressional Autism Caucus
• Senate Taiwan Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Human Rights Caucus
• Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus
• Friends of the Irish National Caucus
• Afterschool Caucuses
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Tenure

On January 6, 2021, Menendez was participating in the certification of the2021 United States Electoral College vote countwhen Trump supportersattacked the U.S. Capitol.After rioters breached the Capitol, he was evacuated to an undisclosed location with other senators. He called the attack "anarchy" and "a sad day for our democracy".After the Capitol was secure and Congress reconvened, Menendez voted to certify the election. Menendez blamed Trump and Republicans who supported Trump's baseless claims of voter fraud for inciting the attack.He also called for an investigation intowhite supremacyin the military.

Immigration

Menendez (second from right) marching in the 2010 North Hudson Cuban Day Parade withUnion CityMayorBrian P. Stack(second from left)

Menendez marching in the 2010 Cuban Day Parade at Union City's northern border withWest New York

Menendez is an "aggressive advocate" ofimmigration reform,calling it the "civil rights issue of our time".He has introduced multiple pieces of legislation in attempts to overhaul what he calls our "failed immigration system".Menendez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011,but it died in theSenate Judiciary Committee.In 2009, he introduced the Orphans, Widows, and Widowers Protection Act, granting a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented widowers and orphans of deceased U.S. citizens.

Menendez is a strong supporter of theDREAM Act,saying, "Children should not be punished for the actions of their parents. These kids have grown up as Americans, worked hard in school and now they want to serve our country in the military or pursue a college education. This is the only home many of them have known and they should be encouraged to pursue the American dream."He voted for the DREAM Act in 2007 and was a cosponsor along with 31 other senators in the Act's failed passage in 2010.

Menendez voted against denying legal status to illegal immigrants convicted of domestic violence, crimes against children and crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, but voted to establish a six-month to 20-year ban for undocumented immigrants seeking citizenship who had been convicted for the same crimes along with obstruction of justice, human trafficking and the participation of criminal gang activity.

Menendez supported theComprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006andComprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007,voting for both bills.He voted against Senate Amendment 1151, declaring English the national language of theFederal government of the United States.He voted to continue federal funding for declared "sanctuary cities".

He voted for theSecure Fence Act of 2006,building 700 miles (1,100 km) of physical barriers and expanding surveillance at theMexico–U.S. border,and supported Senate Amendment 4775, which would have appropriated $1.8 billion for the construction of 370 miles (600 km) of triple-layered fencing, and 461 miles (742 km) of vehicle barriers along parts of the Southwest.

On January 28, 2013, Menendez was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators that announced principles for comprehensiveimmigration reform(CIR).In 2014 theNational Council of La Raza(America's largest Latino advocacy organization) recognized Menendez for his work in supporting immigration reform as a member of the "Gang of Eight".

Agriculture

In June 2019, Menendez and 18 other Democratic senators sentUSDAInspector General Phyllis K. Fong a letter requesting that she investigate USDA instances of retaliation and political decision-making and asserted that not conducting an investigation would mean these "actions could be perceived as a part of this administration's broader pattern of not only discounting the value of federal employees, but suppressing, undermining, discounting, and wholesale ignoring scientific data produced by their own qualified scientists".

Disaster relief

In April 2018, Menendez was one of five Democratic senators to sign a letter toFEMAadministratorBrock Longcalling on FEMA to enter an agreement with theUnited States Department of Housing and Urban Developmentthat would "stand up the Disaster Housing Assistance Program and address the medium- and longer-term housing needs" of evacuees of Puerto Rico in the aftermath ofHurricane Maria.The senators asserted that "FEMA's refusal to use the tools at its disposal, including DHAP, to help these survivors is puzzling – and profoundly troubling" and that hundreds of hurricane survivors were susceptible to being left homeless in the event that FEMA and HUD continued not to work together.

Environment

Menendez introduced legislation that would incentivize the conversion of vehicles to run onnatural gas;the bill did not make it out of committee in its first incarnation and failed to receive 60 votes required to pass in 2012.

In February 2019, in response to reports of the EPA intending to decide against setting drinking water limits forperfluorooctane sulfonic acid(PFOS) andperfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) as part of an upcoming national strategy to manage the aforementioned class of chemicals, Menendez was one of 20 senators to sign a letter to Acting EPA AdministratorAndrew R. Wheelercalling on the agency "to develop enforceable federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, as well as institute immediate actions to protect the public from contamination from additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)".

In June 2019, Menendez was one of 44 senators to introduce the International Climate Accountability Act, legislation that would prevent President Trump from using funds in an attempt to withdraw from theParis Agreementand directing the Trump administration to develop instead a strategic plan for the United States that would allow it to meet its commitment under the Paris Agreement.

Education

Menendez sponsored theStudent Non-Discrimination Act,expandingTitle IXof theEducation AmendmentsAct to LGBT students, and the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011, which would also amend the Higher Education Act of 1965.He voted for theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Actin 2009, saying, "When someone is harassed, assaulted or killed simply because of the type of person they are, it's a crime against an entire community and our nation's values."In 2012, Menendez received a 94% rating from theHuman Rights Campaign.

During a press conference about the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, Menendez claimed that New Jersey was facing a $10.5 billion shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget that would lead to cuts in state spending on education. PolitiFact rated this statement "false" because the 2012 budget was balanced and increased education funding.

LGBT policy

Menendez voted for theDefense of Marriage Act(DOMA) as a congressman in 1996; on December 18, 2011, he came out in support of, and co-sponsored, theRespect for Marriage Act,which would repeal DOMA.Menendez also voted for the U.S. military'sDon't ask, don't tellas a congressman, and co-sponsored theDADT repeal actin 2010.

In 1999, Menendez voted against a proposed amendment that would have banned adoption in Washington D.C. by same-sex couples and other persons not related by blood or marriage. The amendment failed with 213 votes in favor and 215 votes against.

Of gay rights, Menendez has said, "Two people who want to be committed to each other should be able to enter into marriage, and they should receive the benefits that flow from that commitment."

Gun policy

Menendez has an "F" rating from theNRA Political Victory Fundand a "F−" rating from theGun Owners of Americadue to his support of gun law reform.Specifically, he supports universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

In January 2019, Menendez was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for either the sale or transfer of all firearms, including all unlicensed sellers. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law enforcement, loaning firearms for either hunting or sporting events on a temporary basis, providing firearms as gifts to members of one's immediate family, firearms transferred as part of an inheritance, or giving a firearm to another person temporarily for immediate self-defense.

In June 2019, Menendez was one of four senators to cosponsor the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act, legislation that would ban suppressors being imported, sold, made, sent elsewhere, or possessed and grant a silencer buyback program as well as include certain exceptions for current and former law enforcement personnel and others. The bill was intended to respond to theVirginia Beach shooting,where the perpetrator used a.45-caliber handgun with multiple extended magazines and a suppressor.

Health care

In December 2018, Menendez was one of 42 senators to sign a letter to Trump administration officialsAlex Azar,Seema Verma,andSteve Mnuchinarguing that the administration was improperly using Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act to authorize states to "increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions". The senators requested the administration withdraw the policy and "re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress".

In January 2019, during the2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown,Menendez was one of 34 senators to sign a letter toCommissioner of Food and DrugsScott Gottliebrecognizing the efforts of the FDA to address the effect of the government shutdown on the public health and employees while remaining alarmed "that the continued shutdown will result in increasingly harmful effects on the agency's employees and the safety and security of the nation's food and medical products".

Foreign affairs

Menendez with Ukrainian PresidentPetro Poroshenko,Kyiv,Ukraine,September 2014

Menendez holds that the success of America's foreign policy is "inextricably linked to the health of her domestic democracy", stating in the January 19, 2021, confirmation hearings of Secretary-designateAntony Blinkenthat public servants and senators have a "duty to stand up for democracy, for the constitution, and for the rule of law". He identified chief concerns as "rebuilding alliances, restoring American leadership in international institutions, and addressing complex global challenges like climate change, migration, pandemics like COVID-19". He identifies the "core American values" as "democracy, human rights, and the rule of law", upon which foreign policy should be recentered.

In February 2006, Menendez cosponsored legislation with SenatorHillary Clintonto make it illegal for foreign governments to buy U.S. port operations. The legislation was a direct response toDubai Ports World's efforts to purchasePeninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company(P&O) of the United Kingdom, which operates six major U.S. ports. Menendez said, "Our ports are the front lines of the war on terrorism. They are both vulnerable targets for attack and venues for smuggling and human trafficking. We wouldn't turn theBorder Patrolor theCustoms Serviceover to a foreign government, and we can't afford to turn our ports over to one either. "

Former undercoverFBIagentRobert Eringerwrote in his 2008 bookRuse: Undercover with FBI Counterintelligencethat Cuban diplomats approached him to infiltrateCuban exile organizations.He said that the Cuban government believed Menendez and RepresentativesIleana Ros-LehtinenandLincoln Díaz-Balartwere receiving illicit payments from such organizations, and that it wanted to identify the source of the payments in order to "expose and humiliate" the three Congress members.

In October 2009, Menendez sent a strongly worded letter of protest toCyprusPresidentDimitris Christofias,criticizing him for his praise of the Cuban government. Christofias, the leader ofAKEL,Cyprus'scommunist party,from 1988 to 2009 and president from 2008 to 2013, had paid a state visit to Cuba in September 2009 for the opening of Cyprus's new embassy and, in his speech, made several anti-American embargoreferences, and spoke of the "common struggle of Cyprus and Cuba". In his letter to Christofias, Menendez wrote, "you cannot claim human rights violations byTurkeyin your country and then ignore such violations in Cuba. Second, you cannot call for property rights forGreek Cypriotsand then deny them on Cuba. Finally, you cannot take issue with the militarization ofnorthern Cyprusand then ignore the state security apparatus that oppresses the Cuban people. "

In December 2010, Menendez voted for the ratification ofNew Start,a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and theRussian Federationobliging both countries to have no more than 1,550 strategic warheads or 700 launchers deployed during the next seven years along with providing a continuation of on-site inspections that halted whenSTART Iexpired the previous year. It was the first arms treaty with Russia in eight years.

On August 18, 2015, Menendez announced his opposition to thenuclear deal with Iran,saying, "President Obama continues to erroneously say that this agreement permanently stops Iran from having a nuclear bomb, Let's be clear: What the agreement does is to recommit Iran not to pursue a nuclear bomb, a promise they have already violated in the past."

In March 2017, Menendez co-sponsored theIsrael Anti-Boycott Act(S.270), which made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment,for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel andIsraeli settlementsin the occupiedPalestinian territoriesif protesting actions by the Israeli government.

In 2018, Menendez urged Vice PresidentMike Penceto enter talks with Ecuador about withdrawing its asylum forJulian Assange.His letter, signed by nine other senators, alleged that it was Assange's goal to "undermine democratic processes globally".In March 2018, Menendez voted againstBernie Sanders's andChris Murphy's resolution that would end U.S. support for theSaudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.But Menendez criticizedSaudi Arabia's war inYemen,saying, "The Saudi Coalition bears significant responsibility for the magnitude of human suffering and scale of destruction in Yemen. Seventy-five percent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 8 million are on the brink of famine."Noting concerns with the language after voting forBob Corker's resolution naming the Saudi crown prince "responsible" for the murder ofJamal Khashoggi,he said, "regardless of all of my other concerns about language is the central essence of what the chairman is going to do. I think it's incredibly important for the Senate to speak on that issue and hopefully speak with one voice."

Menendez with Hong Kong activists who became prominent figures in the2019–2020 Hong Kong protests

Menendez condemned thegenocideof theRohingya Muslimminority inMyanmarand called for a stronger response to the crisis.

Menendez raised the issue ofXin gian g internment campsand called China'spersecution of Uyghurs"beyond abhorrent",adding, "The President needs to have a clear and consistent approach to China, and not turn a blind eye as a million Muslims are unjustly imprisoned and forced into labor camps by an autocratic regime."

In January 2019, Menendez opposed Trump's planned withdrawal ofU.S. troops from SyriaandAfghanistanas a threat to U.S. national security.

In April 2019, Menendez was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America", asserting that Trump had "consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance" since becoming president and that he was "personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity" by preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding. The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S. by helping to improve conditions in those countries.

In June 2019, Menendez called for the immediate release ofUkrainianjournalistStanislav Aseyev,who was being held in custody by militants from the so-calledDonetsk People's Republic.

In October 2019, Menendez stated his opposition to theTurkish invasionof theKurdish areas in Syria.

Menendez called for the Trump administration to immediately suspendU.S. military aidtoAzerbaijan,sent throughPentagon's "building partner assistance program".According to critics, the aid could be used in theNagorno-Karabakh conflictbetween Azerbaijan andArmenia.In September 2020, Menendez tweeted: "I strongly condemn Azerbaijan's attack onNagorno Karabakh,yet another act of aggression supported by Turkey. "He co-signed a letter stating: "We have been very critical of U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan given the country's human rights record and aggression in the region. Earlier this year, at Senator Menendez's request, theGovernment Accountability Officeagreed to conduct a review of security assistance to the country to ensure that it aligns with U.S. interests; this violence indicates that it does not. "

In September 2022, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Menendez criticized the Biden administration for hesitating to imposesanctionson the governments ofSudanandEthiopia,where many atrocities andwar crimeswere committed in theTigray War.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Menendez became chair of theForeign Relations CommitteeafterJohn Kerry's confirmation asSecretary of Statein January 2013.His "Syria force resolution" was praised by President Obama and others. Menendez has supported taking a "hard line" on Iran.

Foreign affairs legislation sponsored

• Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 (S. 793; 113th Congress)– Menendez introduced this bill on April 24, 2013.The bill would require the Secretary of State to develop a multiyear strategy to bolster theOrganization of American States(OAS) and improve the OAS's processes for managing its budget and personnel.The act would require the Secretary to provide quarterly briefings to Congress on the progress of implementing that strategy.
• Support for United States-Republic of Korea Civil Nuclear Cooperation Act– Menendez introduced this bill, which would authorize the President to extend the term of the "Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy" to a date no later than March 19, 2016.The bill passed the Senate on January 27, 2014, and the House on January 28, 2014.

• Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014(S. 2828), was introduced by Menendez to the113th Congresson September 16, 2014, to addresspro-Russian unrest in Ukraine.It was co-sponsored by 14 other senators.President Obama signed the bill into law on December 18, 2014.
• Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022.In light of theprelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine,this legislation gave Ukraine $500 million "to assist the country in meeting its defense needs".The bill also reimposed sanctions on Russia.

Other issues

On September 28, 2006, Menendez voted for theMilitary Commissions Act.

On June 12, 2007, Menendez endorsedHillary Clintonforpresidentand was given the position of National Campaign Co-Chair. He made numerous media appearances in support of her campaign.

In 2009, Menendez succeeded SenatorChuck Schumerof New York as chair of theDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.Menendez's tenure, which followed two straight election cycles of dramatic Democratic gains, was marked by a more troubled Democratic outlook. Critics of Menendez pointed out the surprising Democratic loss in the2010 Massachusetts Senate special electionthat followed the death ofTed Kennedy;Menendez's lower-key, more cautious management style; and problems caused by retirements inIndianaand elsewhere. Others, such as Schumer, defended Menendez's performance, citing the negative political climate.

A group of New Jersey citizens launched an effort torecallMenendez in early 2010.Although Article 1, Paragraph 2(b) of theNew Jersey Constitutionexpressly authorizes such a recall,state officials fought the effort in court.On March 16, 2010, a State Appeals court ruled that the recall petition could proceed.Menendez said he was surprised that a group claiming to be true to the Constitution was trying, in his words, "to undermine it".He appealed the ruling.Legal experts have debated theconstitutionalityof a state recall of a federal officeholder.On November 18, 2010, theNew Jersey Supreme Courtfound that the New Jersey provision violated the U.S. Constitution.

In 2010,The Wall Street Journalreported that Menendez had written toFederal ReserveChairmanBen Bernanke,asking him to approve an acquisition that would rescue from the prospect of receivership a New Jersey bank, First Bank Americano, operated by Menendez donors.It was discovered that "eight of 15 directors, including the bank's chairman and vice-chairman, have been contributors to Menendez or his political action committee".Former federal bank regulatorWilliam K. Blackcalled the letter "grotesquely inappropriate" and said that "the letter crossed an unofficial line by asking regulators to approve an application instead of simply asking that it be given consideration".An aide to Menendez said that political contributions did not influence his decision to write the letter. A highly criticalFederal Deposit Insurance Corporationreport found that the institution had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices, including operating without adequate supervision by its board of directors, excessive delinquent or bad loans, inadequate earnings, and insufficient coverage of its assets.

On January 5, 2012, Menendez blocked JudgePatty Shwartz,an Obama administration nominee, to a federal judgeship, drawing speculation that the block was placed because of Shwartz's relationship with the head of the public corruption unit forNew Jersey's federal prosecutor,who had investigated Menendez during his 2006 campaign.Menendez denied personal motivation for the block. He has long contended that the corruption investigation was politically motivated.The investigation was closed in late 2011 with no charges filed.

On December 12, 2012, it was reported that Menendez's office had an unpaid intern volunteering who had let his visitor visa expire and was aregisteredsex offender.The Bureau ofImmigration and Customs Enforcementhad been aware of the man as early as October 2012 but according to theAssociated Press,the U.S.Department of Homeland Security(DHS) instructed their agents not to arrest the man until after Election Day. Menendez denied knowing about the allegation of the directive to delay the arrest and only recently learned of the arrest. According to two federal officials who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the case, the intern was arrested in front of his New Jersey home on December 6, 2012.

In May 2014, Menendez received an award for Political Courage at a gala organized by the American Friends ofLikud,where he reaffirmed the strong alliance between the U.S. and Israel and said, "several thousands of years of history lead to an undeniable conclusion: the reestablishment of the State of Israel in modern times is a political reality with roots going back to the time of Abraham and Sarah and historical texts and artifacts". He rejected movements to boycott Israel.

Menendez became an outspoken advocate of thePeople's Mujahedin of Iran(MEK) after it was delisted.

Menendez spearheaded a nonbinding resolution in July 2018 "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution states the United States "should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government ofVladimir Putin".It passed 98–0.

In April 2019, Menendez was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising theUnited States Department of Housing and Urban Development'sSection 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators hoped the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

Menendez has pushed for a completetax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT).Most of the benefits of such a policy would benefit the wealthiest taxpayers.

Implication in child prostitution scandal

In November 2012, theconservativepolitical news and opinion websiteDaily Callerpublished allegations that Menendez had contact withunderage prostitutesin theDominican Republic.The allegations were promoted by Republican Party operatives, who arranged forABC Newsand theDaily Callerto interview two women who accused Menendez of patronizing prostitutes.ABC News and other news organizations such asThe New York Timesand theNew York Postdeclined to publish the allegations, viewing them as unsubstantiated and lacking credibility.One accuser stated that she had been paid to falsely implicate Menendez and had never met him.TheDaily Callersaid this woman was not interviewed for its story.Menendez's office called the allegations "manufactured" by a "right-wing blog" as a politically motivated smear.On March 18, 2013, Dominican police announced that three women had said they had been paid $300–$425 each to lie about having had sex with Menendez.

Corruption charges and conviction

On August 27, 2006, two Republican state lawmakers filed an ethics complaint against Menendez, alleging he broke conflict-of-interest rules when renting property to a nonprofit agency that receives federal funds. Menendez helped the agency win designation as aFederally Qualified Health Centerin 1998. That designation allowed it to receive additional federal grants.Menendez allies said that the organization in question, the North Hudson Community Action Corp., which provides social services and health care to the poor and was founded in 1960, had received federal funding for years before Menendez was in Congress, and receives its funding based on mathematical formulas.Menendez said that he rented the property out below market value because "he was supportive of its work".The total rent collected over nine years was over $300,000. The sentencing of Bob Menendez marked a significant fall from grace for the once-powerful politician.Judge Sidney Stein,in delivering the sentence, remarked, "You stood at the apex of our political system. Somewhere along the way, you lost your way."The conviction made Menendez the first sitting member of Congress to be found guilty of acting as a foreign agent. The corruption scheme involved Menendez accepting over $100,000 in gold bars, aMercedes-Benzconvertible, and more than $480,000 in cash hidden in various locations. Prosecutors argued that Menendez used his position to push for U.S. military aid toEgyptand share nonpublic information with Egyptian officials. Two of Menendez's co-conspirators, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, were also sentenced to 8 and 7 years in prison respectively. The case against Menendez included substantial evidence, such as Daibes' fingerprints on envelopes of cash found at Menendez's home and serial numbers on gold bars traced to both Daibes and Hana. Menendez's legal team had sought leniency, arguing for a non-custodial sentence due to his age and his wife's ongoing cancer treatment. However, the prosecution pushed for a substantial prison sentence to address what they called an "extraordinary abuse of power and betrayal of the public trust".

2015 indictment

External videos
Q&Ainterview with former U.S. attorney Randall Eliason on the Menendez indictment and trial, September 17, 2017,C-SPAN

In January 2013,Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) agents raided the office ofFloridaophthalmologistSalomon Melgen, a close friend and major donor to Menendez.Later that month, afederal grand juryinMiamibegan investigating Menendez for his role in advocating for Melgen's business interests.It was revealed over the following months that Menendez had paid Melgen nearly $59,000 for two private flights to theDominican Republicin 2010.This raised questions about whether the flights violatedSenate Ethics Committeerules.It was also found that Melgen's company had contributed more than $950,000 to Menendez's 2012 reelection campaign.Melgen's home was raided again on October 22but he still refused to cooperate with investigators.

On April 1, 2015, theUnited States Department of Justiceindicted Menendez and Melgen inUnited States v. Menendez(3d Cir.2016). The charges against Menendez included bribery, fraud, and making false statements.According to the indictment, Menendez asked topState Departmentofficials to pressure theDominican Republic'sgovernment to enforce a port-security contract that would benefit Melgen's company while at the same time Melgen was promising to give $60,000 to Menendez's campaign.Prosecutors also charged that Menendez acted as Melgen's "personal senator", helping obtain visas for several of Melgen's girlfriends.In return, Menendez was accused of accepting a range of gifts from Melgen, including trips on Melgen's private jet, three nights at a five-starParishotel, a round of golf at a private club inWest Palm Beach,and access to an exclusiveDominicanresort—some of which Menendez allegedly failed to report on financial disclosure forms.Melgen also donated a substantial amount of money to Menendez's political campaigns, and prosecutors said that $750,000 of those contributions were tied to personal benefits Menendez accepted.

After his indictment, Menendez voluntarily stepped down as ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee.His trial began on September 6, 2017, before JudgeWilliam H. Wallsof theUnited States District Court for the District of New Jersey.On November 16, 2017, Walls declared a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a verdict on any charges.On January 31, 2018, the Justice Department announced it was dropping all charges against Menendez.The case was strongly shaped byMcDonnell v. United States,the 2016 Supreme Court decision to vacate the corruption conviction of former Virginia GovernorBob McDonnell,which narrowed the legal definition of public corruption and made it harder for prosecutors to prove that a political official engaged in bribery.Melgen was convicted of 66 counts of health-care fraud and in February 2018 was sentenced to 17 years in prison; President Trumpcommutedhis sentence in January 2021.

In April 2018, theUnited States Senate Select Committee on Ethics"severely admonished" Menendez in a letter,writing:

The Committee has found that over a six-year period you knowingly and repeatedly accepted gifts of significant value from Dr. Melgen without obtaining required Committee approval, and that you failed to publicly disclose certain gifts as required by Senate Rule and federal law. Additionally, while accepting these gifts, you used your position as a Member of the Senate to advance Dr. Melgen's personal and business interests. The Committee has determined that this conduct violated Senate Rules, federal law, and applicable standards of conduct. Accordingly, the Committee issues you this Public Letter of Admonition and also directs you to repay the fair market value of all impermissible gifts not already repaid.

2023 indictment

Menendez was surveilled and photographed by FBI agents at Morton's The Steakhouse in Washington, DC in May 2019.

Beginning in late 2022, questions were raised about whether Menendez or his wife accepted allowable gifts from anEdgewater, New Jersey,halalmeat provider and whether an Egyptian firm received unwarranted favorable treatment.Subpoenas unrelated to the latter firm were issued in May 2023 toNicholas Sacco,the mayor ofNorth Bergen, New Jersey,and others.Investigators found $480,000 in cash and more than $100,000 worth of gold bars at Menendez's home.On September 22, 2023, federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged five people, including Menendez and his wife Nadine, with corruption in a new indictment.

One of the allegations was that Menendez "provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt".Another was that he used his position to pressure prosecutors in New Jersey who were involved in the cases of his friendsFred Daibesand Jose Uribe in exchange for financial gifts from the two men.According to the Senate Historical Office, Menendez is the first sitting senator to be indicted on two unrelated criminal matters.After the indictment, he gave up his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Over the following days, Democratic Party politicians such as New Jersey GovernorPhil Murphy,New Jersey General AssemblySpeakerCraig Coughlin,and numerous U.S. senators called for Menendez's resignation.Menendez said: "It is not lost on me how quickly some are rushing to judge a Latino and push him out of his seat. I am not going anywhere." Senate Majority LeaderChuck Schumersaid that Menendez "has a right to due process and a fair trial".RepresentativeAndy Kimresponded that given Menendez's refusal to resign, he would run in the Democratic primary for Menendez's seat in the2024 United States Senate election in New Jersey.On November15, 2023, Murphy's wife,Tammy Murphy,announced that she was running for Menendez's Senate seat. On March24, 2024, she suspended her campaign.

On October13, 2023, prosecutors filed new charges that Menendez "provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt" and failed to register as an agent of a foreign power for over four years.SenatorJohn Fettermancalled on the Senate to expel Menendez.

In a superseding indictment filed on January2, 2024, prosecutors alleged that Menendez made positive comments aboutQatarin order to help a New Jersey real estate developer secure millions in funding from a member of theQatari royal family.In exchange, Menendez allegedly received gifts including cash, gold, designer watches, andFormula Onetickets.

On March5, 2024, Menendez and his wife were charged withobstruction of justiceafter prosecutors alleged that his attorneys had lied about payments two businessmen made on his wife's house and car.Menendez claims the payments were loans he later repaid, but prosecutors claim they were bribes.The indictment came the week after one of the businessmen, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and bribery.

Trial, conviction, and sentencing

United States v. Menendez
Court	United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Full case name	United States of America v. Robert Menendez
Citation	1:23-cr-00490
Court membership
Judge sitting	Sidney H. Stein

Jury selection for Menendez's trial began on May13, 2024.On June4, an FBI agent testified about surveillance she had conducted against Menendez in May 2019 atMorton's The Steakhousein Washington, D.C., where Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were dining with three others, including an Egyptian official. Agents also testified about a search they performed of asafe deposit boxin New Jersey Nadine Menendez used, in which they found $80,000 in cash. The defense noted that Menendez himself had never accessed the safety deposit box.

On June6, the prosecution called formerNew Jersey attorney generalGurbir Grewalto the stand. Grewal told the court that in September 2019 Menendez invited him to a meeting at Menendez's office in Newark, at which Menendez complained about Grewal's office's treatment of Hispanic defendants in a trucking insurance fraud investigation; when Menendez made clear he was referring to an ongoing case, Grewal ended the meeting and left.

Closing arguments took place on July 9 and 10.Jury deliberations began on July 12.On July 16, the jury convicted Menendez of all charges, including bribery, extortion, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.Sentencing was originally scheduled for October 29, but was delayed to January 29, 2025.

On January 29, 2025, Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison, however his sentence will not start until June 6, 2025, so he can attend his wife's trial in March (who is also facing charges of bribery and corruption).Outside the court, Menendez stated the "process is political and it's corrupted to the core.... I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system."

Awards and honors

West New York, New Jersey,which borders Menendez's childhood hometown ofUnion Cityto the north, renamed Public School No. 3 in his honor; it is now known as Robert Menendez Elementary School. The renaming ceremony was held on December 4, 2013.Following Menendez's conviction in July 2024, West New York officials agreed to revert the school to its previous name by the time the upcoming school year began.In 2021,President of GreeceKaterina Sakellaropoulouawarded Menendez theGrand Cross of the Order of Honourfor "his contribution to the deepening of Greek-US relations and the promotion of peace and cooperation in the wider region".Menendez also received theGrand Cross of the Order of Makarios IIIfromPresident of CyprusNicos Anastasiadesfor "his contribution to promoting human rights, the rule of law, and democracy".In 2014,Prime Minister of SpainMariano Rajoyawarded Menendez theGrand Cross of The Order of Isabella the Catholicfor "his dedication to Spain and the Hispanic community and his excellent work in developing the links between Spain and the United States".

• Greece:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
  • Star for Merit and Honour (Ministry of National Defencecommendation)
• Cyprus:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III
• Spain:
  • Grand Cross of The Order of Isabella the Catholic

Personal life

In 1976, Menendez married Jane Jacobsen, a teacher for theUnion City Board of Education and Union City Public Schools.They had two children:Alicia Menendez,anMSNBCtelevision commentator/host,andRob Menendez,who worked as the Commissioner of thePort Authority of New York and New Jerseyand was elected to Congress inNew Jersey's 8th congressional districtin2022as a Democrat.Menendez and Jacobsen divorced in 2005.He has four grandchildren.

Later, Menendez dated Gwendolyn Beck, an author who later ran for Congress.In 2010, he brought her to the White House for a state dinner.

In December 2013, Menendez proposed to his girlfriend, Alicia Mucci, in theCapitol rotunda.Some sources say they married that month, but many others indicate that they never married.

He began a relationship with Nadine Arslanian in 2018. Reports conflict as to whether they had an "on-again, off-again relationship" for most of the year or met in December 2018 at theIHOPin Union City.In October 2019 they traveled to India and he proposed to her at theTaj Mahal.They married in October 2020.She has two children from a prior marriage, and was divorced in 2005.In September 2023, Arslanian was indicted on federal bribery charges alongside Menendez.It was subsequently reported that she had been involved in a December 2018 car accident that left a pedestrian dead.The case, which drew no charges or media coverage at the time, resurfaced in the federal indictment, where prosecutors allege Menendez interfered with the prosecution of a New Jersey businessman in exchange for aMercedesto replace his wife's car.

As of 2009, Menendez lived inHoboken.In 2011, he lived inNorth Bergen,and in 2014 he moved toParamus.In 2018, he moved toHarrison,and in 2020 he moved into his new wife's home, inEnglewood Cliffs.

Since February 2025, Menendez's daughter Alicia has co-hosted MSNBC's 7pm ET weekday newscast.

Electoral history

New Jersey Assembly

1987 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district Democratic primary election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr.	10,132	33%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	9,788	32%
Democratic	Leonard Altamura	5,493	18%
Democratic	Sixto Macias	5,147	17%

1987 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr.	18,810	30%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	18,446	29%
Republican	Angelo Valente	12,888	20%
Republican	Jose Arango	12,638	20%
"Pride-Responsibility"	Michael Dapuzzo	557	1%
"Pride-Responsibility"	Wanda Morales	312	<1%

1989 New Jersey's 33rd State Assembly district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Bernard Kenny Jr. (inc.)	24,294	34%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez (inc.)	23,767	34%
Republican	Ann Clark	11,738	17%
Republican	Antonio Miguelez	10,800	15%

State Senate

1991 New Jersey's 33rd State Senate district election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	19,151	69%
Republican	Carlos Munoz	8,652	31%

House

1992 New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	24,245	68%
Democratic	Robert Haney Jr.	11,409	32%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:1992

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	93,670	64%
	Republican	Fred J. Theemling Jr.	44,529	31%
	Stop Tax Increases	Joseph D. Bonacci	2,363	2%
	Libertarian	Len Flynn	1,539	1%
	Communist	John E. Rummel	1,525	1%
	Socialist Workers	Jane Harris	1,406	1%
Majority			49,141	33%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:1994

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	67,688	71%	+7
	Republican	Fernando A. Alonso	24,071	25%	−6
	We the People	Frank J. Rubino Jr.	1,494	2%	N/A
	Politicians Are Crooks	Herbert H. Shaw	1,319	1%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Steven Marshall	895	1%	N/A
Majority			43,617	46%	+13

New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary: 1996
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	34,685	93%
Democratic	Christopher Curioli	2,685	7%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:1996

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	115,459	79%	+8
	Republican	Carlos E. Munoz	24,427	17%	−8
	Independent	Herbert H. Shaw	2,136	1%	0
	Independent	Mike Buoncristiano	2,094	1%	N/A
	Independent	William P. Estrada	720	<1%	N/A
	Independent	Rupert Ravens	637	<1%	N/A
Majority			91,032	62%	+16

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:1998

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	70,308	80%	+1
	Republican	Theresa de Leon	14,615	17%	0
	Independent	Richard S. Hester, Sr.	1,276	1%	N/A
	Independent	Richard G. Rivera	872	1%	N/A
	Independent	Susan Anmuth	752	1%	N/A
Majority			55,693	63%	+1

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:2000

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	117,856	79%	−1
	Republican	Theresa de Leon	27,849	19%	+2
	Independent	Claudette C. Meliere	2,741	2%	N/A
	Independent	Dick Hester	562	<1%	N/A
	Independent	Herbert H. Shaw	357	<1%	N/A
Majority			90,007	60%	−3

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:2002

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	72,605	78%	−1
	Republican	James Geron	16,852	18%	−1
	Green	Pat Henry Faulkner	1,195	1%	N/A
	Anti-Corruption Doctor	Esmat Zaklama	740	1%	N/A
	Pro Life Conservative	Dick Hester	732	1%	N/A
	Politicians are Crooks	Herbert H. Shaw	573	1%	N/A
Majority			55,753	60%	0

New Jersey's 13th congressional district Democratic primary: 2004
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	33,622	87%
Democratic	Steven Fulop	4,851	13%

New Jersey's 13th congressional district:2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez	121,018	76%	−2
	Republican	Richard W. Piatkowski	35,288	22%	+4
	Pro Life Conservative	Dick Hester	1,282	1%	N/A
	Politicos son Corruptos	Herbert H. Shaw	1,066	1%	0
	Socialist Workers	Angela L. Lariscy	887	1%	0
Majority			85,730	54%	−6

Write-in and minor candidate notes:In 1992, Donald K. Stoveken as an America First Populist received 682 votes. In 2000, Alina Lydia Fonteboa received 233 votes and Kari Sachs received 168 votes. In 2002, a candidate listed only as "Independent (The American Party)" received 34 votes; also, Herbert Shaw's full party name was "Politicians are Crooks – Politicos son Corruptos" (shortened for display purposes above).

Senate

2006 New Jersey United States Senate Democratic primary election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	+%
Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez (inc.)	159,604	84%
Democratic	James Kelly Jr.	30,340	16%

2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez(inc.)	1,200,843	53.3	+3.1
	Republican	Thomas Kean Jr.	997,775	44.3	−2.8
	Libertarian	Len Flynn	14,637	0.7	+0.4
	Marijuana	Edward Forchion	11,593	0.5	n/a
	Independent	J.M. Carter	7,918	0.4	+0.2
	Independent	N. Leonard Smith	6,243	0.3	n/a
	Independent	Daryl Brooks	5,138	0.2	n/a
	Socialist Workers	Angela Lariscy	3,433	0.2	+0.1
	Socialist	Gregory Pason	2,490	0.1	+0.0
Majority			203,068	9.0
Turnout			2,250,070
	Democratichold		Swing	3.26

2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert ( "Bob" ) Menendez (incumbent)	1,783,943	58.4%	+5.1%
	Republican	Joseph Kyrillos	1,220,605	39.9%	−4.4%
	Libertarian	Kenneth R. Kaplan	14,802	0.5%	−0.2%
	Green	Ken Wolski	13,874	0.5%	+0.5%
	Others		23,511	0.8%	−1.0%
Majority
Turnout			3,056,735

2018 Democratic primary results by county:

Menendez: 70–80%

Menendez: 60–70%

Menendez: 50–60%

McCormick: 50–60%

McCormick: 60–70%

2018 Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bob Menendez (incumbent)	262,477	62.3
	Democratic	Lisa McCormick	158,998	37.7
Total votes			421,475	100.0

2018 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bob Menendez (incumbent)	1,711,654	54.01%	−4.86%
	Republican	Bob Hugin	1,357,355	42.83%	+3.46%
	Green	Madelyn Hoffman	25,150	0.79%	+0.32%
	Libertarian	Murray Sabrin	21,212	0.67%	+0.17%
	Independent	Natalie Rivera	19,897	0.63%	N/A
	Independent	Tricia Flanagan	16,101	0.51%	N/A
	Independent	Kevin Kimple	9,087	0.29%	N/A
	Independent	Hank Schroeder	8,854	0.28%	N/A
Total votes			'3,169,310'	'100.0%'	N/A
	Democratichold

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Trump–Ukraine scandal

External links

• Senator Robert Menendezofficial U.S. Senate website
• Bob Menendez for Senate
• AppearancesonC-SPAN

• Biographyat theBiographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office)at theFederal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsoredat theLibrary of Congress
• ProfileatVote Smart

Articles

• "New Jersey's New Senator",editorial,The New York Times,December 9, 2005
• "Menendez on the Move",Al Sullivan,Union City Reporter,December 11, 2005

Notable congressional hearings

• Senate Foreign Relations Committee—Antony Blinken confirmation hearing for US Secretary of State (1/19/2021)