Murphy would pick replacement, should Menendez resign from Senate

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was all but certain to lose his seat in the Senate come November. His longshot independent candidacy, which had garnered little support, was the longest of longshots.

Had he lost, the three-term senator would have maintained his seat until a new class of congressional leaders is sworn in Jan. 6, 2025.

The end of his term could come sooner.

Menendez (D-N.J.), only the seventh sitting U.S. senator to be convicted of a federal crime and the first sitting senator to be charged with acting as a foreign agent, will be pressured to resign. The 70-year-old also could be forced out by his fellow senators.

If he does, Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint his replacement. Shortly after the verdict, the governor indicated he is ready to do as needed.

“I reiterate my call for Sen. Menendez to resign immediately after being found guilty of endangering national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system,” he said. “If he refuses to vacate his office, I call on the U.S. Senate to vote to expel him.

“In the event of a vacancy, I will exercise my duty to make a temporary appointment to ensure the people of New Jersey have the representation they deserve.”

Whom that could be is unclear.

Murphy’s wife, first lady Tammy Murphy, abandoned her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the seat earlier this summer.

The eventual winner of that primary, U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3rd Dist.), will face off against Republican nominee Curtis Bashaw on Nov. 5.