SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — With U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey convicted on 16 counts of corruption, what happens next? A political analyst from Rider University said there are few viable political outcomes.
Whatever happens, Menendez has some say in how things play out, according to Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. Menendez can either resign in disgrace or stay and fight, which could lead to an expulsion vote in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority would be needed to remove him.
“It depends on how much his colleagues want to get rid of him,” he explained. “And then, of course, if he goes in either one of these two fashions — either through expulsion or through resignation — then Gov. [Phil] Murphy can appoint a successor until the new term begins in early January.”
Rasmussen said Murphy could appoint Congressman Andy Kim, who is running to replace Menendez in the Senate. It would give him a headstart and provide some seniority benefits over the other freshmen senators, if he’s elected.
“That would help him in terms of committee assignments that he has; eventually, it may help with chair positions, leadership positions.”
But if Kim leaves the House of Representatives early, it could also be detrimental to Democrats who need every vote.
Rasmussen said appointing someone at the tail end of their political career, like former state Sen. Loretta Weinberg or former Gov. Dick Codey, may be a good option as well, if Kim is needed in the House.