The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Menendez remains a formidable force
Our U.S. Senate has been engaged in debates surrounding another government shutdown, dress code attire in the chambers and federal charges against Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. The Justice Department indicted the senior senator on charges of corruption including accepting cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz from international businessmen since he was chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
But Menendez has refused to leave the Senate even though he stepped down as committee chairman because of committee rules. Connecticut’s Democratic Sens. Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal have called for Menendez to resign, and did so prior to Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., as he took four days to decide. Party caucus leaders tried confronting Menendez to resign at last week’s caucus meeting, but he refused.
Menendez is a complicated figure because he led machine politics within Hudson County in northern New Jersey. Interestingly, Menendez rose to prominence in the 1980s as he helped federal investigators take down his corrupt mentor, Mayor William Muston. Menendez went on to mayoral office in his Union City hometown as well as state assemblyman. Prior to the United States Senate, he was also a longtime U.S. Rep. for Hudson County, where I lived nearly a decade ago.
As a constituent, I knew firsthand that Menendez was a force to be reckoned with. Aside from his strong-armed politics as mayor and lawmaker, he had the support of countless state and local officials as well as business leaders. Menendez is Cuban-American, and he gained significant support from Latino communities in north Jersey for decades.
Along the way, Menendez demanded loyalty and any questioning support would be challenged. As an example my Jersey City mayor, Glenn Cunningham, and Menendez feuded frequently. The mayor often led protests in front of Menendez’s congressional office. Cunningham suddenly died of a heart attack in office, but many of his supporters placed blame on Menendez for the feuds causing stress on the mayor.
A part of Menendez’s tactics is that he never forgets, and retribution is often his approach. In other words, beware crossing the honorable gentleman from New Jersey. He often personalizes politics, such as when he faced a mistrial over federal corruption charges in 2017. As he stated at the press conference then, “To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I won’t forget you.”
Menendez will not simply go away because his reputation is at stake. This includes his recently elected son, U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, who represents his father’s prior congressional district. His son is also facing internal party challenges for reelection due to his father’s indictment. For the senior senator then, he remains increasingly defiant to protect his family’s legacy.
What I am especially interested in is how Congress will handle Menendez. Lawmakers like Blumenthal and Murphy can continue to be outspoken against him, but would they consider expelling Menendez? That is no easy feat, as it requires two-thirds of senators supporting such a measure. Plus, with such a slim Democratic Party majority, few lawmakers would publicly go to that extreme.
Considering Menendez’s reelection is next year, the saga will only continue as recently announced candidates want to primary him. He could run as an independent similar to our former Sen. Thomas Dodd in 1970 as he faced censure for misusing campaign funds.
Where lawmakers stand on Menendez can pressure the senator, but do not expect him to easily resign. Considering his tenacity and political style, Menendez will remain a challenging colleague for Blumenthal, Murphy and their caucus.