Robert Menendez on Principles & Values Democratic Jr Senator; previously Representative (NJ-13)

Severely admonished by Senate for political favors

Robert Hugin (R): Hugin's company spent $2.8 million lobbying to block cheaper generic alternatives.

Robert Menendez (D): Menendez was charged for allegedly doing political favors for a friend while accepting six-figure campaign contributions & undisclosed gifts like luxury hotel stays. Prosecutor dropped charges after jury hung 10-2 for acquittal & judge said the case didn't hold up. Senate committee then "severely admonished" him.

Admonished by Senate Ethics Committee for accepting gifts

Menendez was indicted in April 2015 on federal corruption charges. After his first trial ended in a mistrial, a judge acquitted him of several charges and prosecutors declined to retry him on the rest.

The Senate Ethics Committee then "severely admonished" him in April for accepting gifts from a friend and campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, while intervening with federal agencies on his behalf.

A pollster says, "New Jersey voters are troubled by the ethics cloud hanging over Menendez."

"The more New Jerseyans hear about disgraced Senator Bob Menendez's corruption, the less they believe he should remain in the United States Senate," said a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Elected mayor of Union City at 32

2006: Investigated for grants to community service agency

More than 25 years after the Musto affair, the US Attorney's office--under the control of Chris Christie--took on an even more central role in Menendez's life. That time, he looked to be the hunted. Two months before that election, federal prosecutors very publicly subpoenaed records connected to a rental deal between Menendez and a community-service agency that won federal grants. The controversial subpoena would multiply into a small series and it became a critical element of the election. Democrats accused Chris Christie of issuing the subpoena specifically to affect the election.

Child of Cuban emigrants

Voted with Democratic Party 95.7% of 325 votes.

Chosen as Corzine’s successor after long political career

Menendez has survived the minefield of indictment-prone Hudson County politics. First there were the murky waters inundating the Union City Board of Education. As a 19-year-old, Menendez was elected to the board and then served as its secretary. In that capacity Menendez testified before a federal grand jury investigating the board and Union City mayor William Musto. Menendez called him his “political father” but cut the paternal link, later testifying against Musto, who was sentenced in 1982 to federal prison on corruption charges.

Menendez was elected Union City mayor in 1986, and re-elected in 1990. He was in his second term when he was chosen to succeed the late Christopher Jackman in the state Senate in 1991. From there, Menendez was elected in 1992 to the House of Representatives and was re-elected six times.

Appointed by governor-elect Jon Corzine to fill Senate seat

Thank you, Governor-elect. This is a privilege I will work tirelessly every day to honor. Along with our soon-to-be senior Senator Frank Lautenberg, you have shown what it means to be a powerful advocate for our state in Washington, and I know you will lead us to even greater days when you take office in Trenton. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead to meet the challenges faced by this state and unlock opportunity for all of our citizens.

Senator Lautenberg, thank you for your leadership. I have a lot to learn from you, and I look forward to working as the junior Senator for many years to come with someone who has so much respect in the U.S. Senate. Governor Codey, thank you for the leadership you provided in a difficult time.

American Dream is about keeping promise to other generations

I have walked in the shoes of the average New Jerseyan all my life, and I know the challenges they face. I began a life in public service because I believed that one person committed to change could make a difference.

Priorities: affordable health care & college, and fair taxes

America needs unity to face challenges of globalization

Voted YES on confirming of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court.

"In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make the law--it is to apply the law. And it is clear, I believe, that my record in two courts reflects my rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms; interpreting statutes according to their terms and Congress's intent; and hewing faithfully to precedents established by the Supreme Court and my Circuit Court. In each case I have heard, I have applied the law to the facts at hand."

Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice.

Religious affiliation: Catholic.

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Member of Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an informal group of 18 members of Congress of Hispanic descent. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanic Americans in the US and the insular areas. The CHC was founded in December 1976 as a legislative service organization of the US House. Today, the CHC is organized as a congressional member organization, governed under the Rules of Congress and comprised solely of Members of the US Congress.

Although every issue that affects the quality of life of Americans is of concern to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, there are national and international issues that have a particular impact on the Hispanic community. The function of the Caucus is to serve as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. In addition to covering legislative action, the CHC also monitors Executive and Judicial policies that affect Hispanics.

Member of Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an informal group of 18 members of Congress of Hispanic descent. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanic Americans in the US and the insular areas. The CHC was founded in December 1976 as a legislative service organization of the US House. Today, the CHC is organized as a congressional member organization, governed under the Rules of Congress and comprised solely of Members of the US Congress.

Although every issue that affects the quality of life of Americans is of concern to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, there are national and international issues that have a particular impact on the Hispanic community. The function of the Caucus is to serve as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. In addition to covering legislative action, the CHC also monitors Executive and Judicial policies that affect Hispanics.