New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez’s indictment is making waves among Hispanic Democrats, who worry the scandal will obscure the embattled senator’s legacy, dealing a blow to Latino political representation.
Over his 50-year political career, Menendez has been a leading voice for Latino representation and perhaps the immigration advocacy world’s most powerful — and outspoken — ally.
But the tawdry details of the Justice Department’s allegations against Menendez have drawn attention away from that record, and from Menendez’s symbolic value as a Hispanic in the Senate.
“There is no question that Senator Menendez’s commitment and legacy as a champion for the Hispanic community is second to none. He has done more to uplift and move the community forward than any other elected leader,” said Maria Cardona, a top Democratic political strategist.
“It is in that vein, however, that I would encourage the senator to step down to both protect that legacy, and then also to focus 100 percent on fighting these charges in court and clearing his name. He is absolutely guaranteed the presumption of innocence, and he should be given the space to prove that, and he should give all of his energy to proving that as well.”
Menendez has resisted calls to resign, which have come in droves from allies, including New Jersey’s junior senator, Democrat Cory Booker.
While Booker’s call for resignation came couched with praise for Menendez’s record, many in the Hispanic political world see a political class eager to fight over Menendez’s seat.
“What I have been disappointed in is that there has not been any recognition of his tremendous service to the Latino community, his voice, and if he decides to step aside, that this seat is a Latino seat, and that needs to be a part of the discussion,” said Matt Barreto, a Democratic pollster who in 2020 advised President Biden’s campaign.
Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has already launched a challenge to Menendez, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is seen as a potential candidate. Some Hispanic Democrats are eyeing Gottheimer cautiously because of his $13 million campaign war chest and his centrist positions on immigration.
People in Menendez’s orbit are treading lightly, wary of opening the door for other Democrats rushing to fill the seat and well aware that Menendez keeps tabs.
Following a previous indictment that ended in a mistrial, but before the prosecutors dropped charges against Menendez in 2018, he proudly displayed an iron-on jacket patch with an embroidered quote: “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, who has vehemently denied the charges against him, on Thursday told his Democratic colleagues in the Senate he would not step down.
The pressure on Menendez to resign is also likely to subside, at least temporarily, following the death Friday of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), which brings the Democratic majority in the chamber down to a 50-49 split, with three independents caucusing with Democrats.
Still, the Hispanic political world is grappling with what representation will look like without its most prominent advocate in the upper chamber.
“Regardless of what the senator decides to do, what is critical is that this seat remains Latino, and it has been disappointing to see how many people have been quick to push him to resign. And it’s hard to not see a political agenda attached to it,” said a top Democratic operative who asked for anonymity to speak frankly.
Yet Democrats also face pressure to be vocal against corruption in government, with Republicans accusing the Justice Department of running a two-tiered system in its prosecution of former President Trump.
Democrats see unimpeded investigations against Menendez and Hunter Biden as a shield against those accusations.
“The Department of Justice is independent, let them do their job. That’s completely separate,” said Barreto.
“But what has created a lot of the frustration and I think the chatter among the Latino political class is just this utter lack of recognition of how important of a senator Menendez is. And just Latino representation in general.”
Barreto added that Menendez is only one of six Hispanic Senators, though 20 percent of the country’s population is Hispanic.
“We’re at a perilous moment here where we can’t go from six to five. And it’s not just going from six to five — you’re losing the loudest, most influential, most consistent advocate of the Latino community,” he added.