Embattled Sen. Bob Menendez files to run for reelection as Independent candidate

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has filed a petition with nearly 2,500 signatures, to run for reelection as an Independent, despite being on trial for federal bribery charges.

After much speculation over whether Menendez would run for re-election — given the various criminal charges he faces of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, bribery, acting as a foreign agent, extortion and honest services fraud — he revealed in March that he would not be filing for the Democratic Senate primary.

Instead, Menendez proclaimed at the same time, his desire to run as an independent if he is exonerated during his summer trial.

He did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on his bid for reelection.

Menendez and his wife, Nadine, have both pleaded not guilty to bribery and obstruction of justice charges. They are accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz, for the benefit of various business persons and the Egyptian government.