Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, firmly rejected calls for his resignation from Congress on Friday, pledging to confront the charges against him, including allegations of bribery and corruption.

Menendez stated, “Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades.”

“This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along. 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,” he added.

The senator’s statement was prompted by a growing chorus of Democrats in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill who have called for his resignation following the unsealing of a federal indictment against him and his wife on Friday, NBC News reported.

Prominent New Jersey Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy and members of the state’s congressional delegation, have asserted that Menendez should step down.

“Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process,” Murphy said in a statement.

“However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation,” he added.

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., also called on Menendez to step down, saying he lacked “confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter.”

Written by staff