Senator Bob Menendez switches party affiliation and runs for reelection as an Independent

Reports indicate that Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., will be running for reelection as an independent amidst his ongoing trial in New York City on federal bribery charges.

Menendez will be filing nominating petitions in Trenton, New Jersey to secure his spot on the ballot for November’s general election, as reported by the New Jersey Globe.

To meet the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, Menendez will have a friend deliver the necessary documents to the state Division of Elections on Monday.

After announcing in late March that he would not seek reelection as a Democrat, Menendez is now seeking a fourth term and has amassed enough signatures to run as an independent, as confirmed by NBC News.

Running as an independent enables Menendez to continue fundraising to cover his mounting legal bills, which have reportedly reached $2 million.

The trial, where Menendez has pleaded not guilty, involves allegations of using his influence to benefit businessmen in exchange for monetary and material gifts.

As the trial continues for at least four more weeks, Menendez’s decision to run for reelection at this time allows for flexibility pending the outcome of the case.

Menendez is currently running his campaign without a dedicated team, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Meanwhile, Menendez’s son, Rep. Robert Menendez Jr., is vying for reelection in the 8th Congressional District primary.

In the Senate race, Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic Party nomination, as reported by NJ.com.

For the GOP, Curtis Bashaw and Christine Serrano Glassner are the leading candidates in the primary, with no Republican having won a U.S. Senate race in New Jersey since 1972.

Menendez’s presence on the ballot has the potential to make the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat a competitive race in November.