Who Will Replace Bob Menendez In NJ? Here Are Some Possibilities

NEW JERSEY — Who will replace U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez when he resigns in August? For now, it’s unclear – although some familiar names have been circulating in New Jersey’s political circles.

Menendez has been one of the Garden State’s most recognizable Democrats since he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He joined the U.S. Senate in 2006, eventually rising to become chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, among other prime assignments.

Menendez’s political career survived a previous bribery accusation when a jury deadlocked in 2017. But last week, a conviction in a second federal case brought his tenure as a senator to a screeching halt when a jury found Menendez guilty on 16 counts of taking bribes to aid the Qatari and Egyptian governments. He is set to be sentenced on Oct. 29 and faces decades in prison.

Menendez, who has maintained his innocence, says he plans to appeal the verdict. See Related: After Conviction, Sen. Menendez Remains Defiant: 'Never Been Anything But A Patriot'

After facing pressure from across the political spectrum – including several high-ranking members of his own party – Menendez announced that he plans to step down on Aug. 20. See Related: Sen. Menendez Will Resign, Gov. Murphy Confirms

Who will take his place in the Senate? That’s where the plot thickens.

Menendez’s seat will be up for grabs on Nov. 5 as part of the general election, which will likely see a high voter turnout for the presidential race.

A primary election between Democratic and Republican candidates took place in June, with U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) capturing the Democrat nomination and South Jersey entrepreneur Curtis Bashaw earning the Republican nod. Independent and third-party candidates include Christina Khalil (Green Party), Kenneth Kaplan (Libertarian Party), Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party), Nick Carducci (Independent) and Patricia Mooneyham (Independent).

Menendez’s current term was set to end on Jan. 3, 2025. In the meanwhile – although he’s not required to – Gov. Phil Murphy said he plans to appoint a temporary replacement to fill the unexpired term. It's a situation that has happened before in recent New Jersey history.

Kim, the winner of the Democratic primary, said he would accept the temporary appointment if Murphy offered it to him, but added that it is ultimately a “decision for the governor.” Several prominent New Jersey Democrats have opined that Kim would be a natural choice, given his overwhelming victory in the primary election.

However, some Republican pundits have argued that making Kim an incumbent candidate would give him an unfair boost headed into the general election.

Bashaw – the winner of this year’s Republican primary – said it would be “hypocritical” if Kim, who recently led a high-profile legal battle against the controversial ballot layout known as the “county line,” accepts the appointment. See Related: Andy Kim’s Fight For ‘Fair Ballot’ Unites NJ Progressives, Republicans

Bashaw called for Murphy to “let the voters make the ultimate decision” when it comes to replacing Menendez, a stance also shared by former New Jersey governors Chris Christie and Thomas H. Kean.

“The governor should appoint a caretaker to this seat, as is the long-standing New Jersey tradition, and not give either candidate the advantage of incumbency in this election,” Bashaw asserted.

Some pundits have speculated that the governor might appoint New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy to the temporary seat. But Murphy – who recently ended her own bid for Menendez’s Senate seat – said she will not accept an appointment if it’s offered.

So who will the governor select to fill Menendez’s shoes? That remains unclear, although several names have been tossed around.

The New York Times reported that Murphy is considering at least four candidates, citing current and former aides who asked for anonymity:

• Tahesha Way – New Jersey Lt. Gov.
• Nina Mitchell Wells – former New Jersey secretary of state
• Bonnie Watson Coleman – five-term U.S. House member (NJ-12)
• George Helmy – Murphy’s former chief of staff

According to Newsweek, other prominent names being floated include New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino, Loretta Weinberg, a well-respected figure in New Jersey's progressive community, political insider Jeannine LaRue, and Dianne Houenou, chair of New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

Other names that have surfaced as possibilities include former Obama administration homeland security secretary Jeh Johnson and Richard Codey, the former New Jersey governor and senator, Politico reported.

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