Embattled New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has announced his intention to seek re-election, just days after being indicted on federal bribery and corruption charges. Menendez's son, Rob Menendez, a first-term Democratic congressman, also declared his bid for re-election on the same day. Despite calls for his resignation from prominent New Jersey Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy, Menendez has stood by his father, expressing his unwavering confidence in him.

Speaking at a news conference at Hudson County Community College in Union City, New Jersey, the senator vowed to be exonerated and dismissed the charges as a distraction. He maintained that the large sums of cash found at his home were from his personal savings account and were meant for emergencies. Menendez declared his intentions to run for re-election and confidently stated that he would remain New Jersey's senior senator.

The federal indictment accuses Menendez, along with his wife, Nadine Menendez, and businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes, of participating in a bribery scheme that spanned several years. Prosecutors allege that the businessmen provided cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz, and other valuable items to Menendez in exchange for his use of power and influence to benefit them and the government of Egypt. The charges include accusations of pressuring a U.S. Department of Agriculture official to protect a business monopoly granted to one of the businessmen by Egypt and seeking to disrupt a criminal investigation related to another businessman.

During a search of Menendez's New Jersey home in June 2022, federal agents reportedly discovered large amounts of cash, gold bars, and the luxury convertible. The indictment alleges that envelopes containing cash, some of which carried the fingerprints and DNA of the businessmen, were found in the senator's home. Photos released by prosecutors showed the seized items, including stacks of cash and bars of Egyptian gold. Menendez has since hired attorney Abbe Lowell, who is also representing Hunter Biden in a separate legal matter.

Despite the charges and mounting pressure to step down, Menendez remains steadfast in his decision to run for re-election. The news conference announcing his bid was initially expected to take place at Colin Powell Elementary School, where Menendez grew up and served as mayor. However, school officials turned down the senator's request, citing concerns about causing a distraction during a school day. While Menendez faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence if convicted on all charges, he maintains his innocence and claims the calls for his resignation are racially motivated. This re-election bid sets the stage for a contentious and high-profile campaign in New Jersey.