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New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez, a U.S. senator who is on trial in New York on federal bribery charges, has filed to run for reelection as an independent. Menendez, 70, said this year that he would not seek the Democratic nomination to continue his fourth term. He filed documents with the state on Monday (3rd) to run as an independent candidate on the ballot. He previously said he might run as an independent candidate. When asked if he would change parties, Menendez said in Spanish: "No, running independently does not mean I want to change parties." He said he has done a lot for New Jersey, especially during the epidemic and after Superstorm Sandy. Given the Democratic Party's tenuous control in the Senate, and New Jersey is usually safely in the hands of the Democratic Party. It is unclear how much support Menendez can get in the competition with U.S. Representative Andy Kim. Kim is in a good position in the Democratic primary. Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate election in the state since 1972. King, a three-term congressman from the 3rd District, said Menendez was running for himself, not for the public. “Americans are tired of politicians putting their own interests ahead of the country’s,” King said. Federal prosecutors in New York last year charged Menendez, his wife, Nadine Menendez, and three business partners with a scheme in which Menendez promised to use his position to help businessmen in exchange for gold bars, cash, a mortgage on his wife’s house and a luxury car. The Menendezes and two of the business partners have pleaded not guilty. The third defendant pleaded guilty and agreed to testify. In court, prosecutors said Menendez tried to use his position to enrich himself by helping business partner Wael Hana gain a monopoly on certifying meat exports to Egypt in accordance with Islamic guidelines and assisting Fred Daibes with investments tied to members of the Qatari royal family. Menendez has denied any corruption scheme. Daibes and Hana were tried alongside Menendez. Nadine is being treated for breast cancer and is expected to go on trial later this summer. Menendez has held elected office for most of his life, serving on the school board in Union City, New Jersey, just two years after graduating from high school. From there, he was elected to the Legislature and then to the U.S. Senate in 2006. He survived politically in 2017 after another federal trial — he was accused of using his position to help a friend defraud health insurance. The jury deadlocked and prosecutors refused to reopen the trial. Menendez won reelection in 2018 with the support of the state's Democratic establishment. But his political fortunes turned after he was indicted in September 2023, with allies across the state, including Gov. Phil Murphy, and the Senate calling for his resignation. Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Menendez's decision "makes this race a little more interesting." Democrats said they believe their party will retain control of the seat.