Bob Menendez

Robert "Bob" Menendez (born January 1, 1954), or Bobby Menendez is the senior United States Senator from New Jersey. He was first appointed to the Senate in January 2006. He was elected Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in January 2013.

Bob Menendez
Official portrait, 2022
United States Senator from New Jersey
Incumbent
Assumed office January 17, 2006 Serving with Cory Booker
Preceded by	Jon Corzine
Committee positions 2009–⁠2023 Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 3, 2021 – September 22, 2023 Preceded by Jim Risch Succeeded by Ben Cardin In office February 1, 2013 – January 3, 2015 Preceded by John Kerry Succeeded by Bob Corker Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office February 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Ben Cardin Succeeded by Jim Risch In office January 3, 2015 – April 2, 2015 Preceded by Bob Corker Succeeded by Ben Cardin Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 Leader Harry Reid Preceded by Chuck Schumer Succeeded by Patty Murray
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 13th district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 16, 2006
Preceded by	Frank Joseph Guarini
Succeeded by	Albio Sires
House positions 1999–⁠2006 Chair of the House Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 2003 – January 16, 2006 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Martin Frost Succeeded by Jim Clyburn Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 Leader Nancy Pelosi Preceded by Barbara B. Kennelly Succeeded by Jim Clyburn
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 33rd district
In office March 4, 1991 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	Christopher Jackman
Succeeded by	Bernard Kenny
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 33rd district
In office January 12, 1988 – March 4, 1991
Preceded by	Jose Arango Ronald Dario
Succeeded by	Louis Romano
Mayor of Union City
In office May 20, 1986 – November 15, 1992
Preceded by	Arthur Wichert
Succeeded by	Bruce Walter
Personal details
Born	Robert Menendez (1954-01-01) January 1, 1954 New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Other political affiliations	Menendez for Senate (2024)
Spouse(s)	Jane Jacobsen ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 2005)​ Nadine Arslanian ​ (m. 2020)​
Children	Alicia and Rob
Education	Saint Peter's University (BA) Rutgers University–Newark (JD)
Signature
Website	Senate website
Criminal information
Conviction(s)	Bribery (2 counts) Wire fraud (3 counts) Extortion (3 counts) Obstruction of justice Being a public official acting as a foreign agent Conspiracy (7 counts)
Date apprehended	September 22, 2023

Convictions

On April 1, 2015, Menendez attracted national media attention when he was indicted on federal corruption charges in the United States District Court. He pleaded not guilty and all charges were dropped in 2018. On September 22, 2023, Menendez along with his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery, fraud and extortion charges. On July 16, 2024, he was convicted of bribery by a New York State jury at his federal bribery trial. He is the first sitting member of U.S. Congress to be convicted of conspiracy by a public official to act as a foreign agent.

Resignation

After saying that he had no plans to resign after being found guilty, it was then reported on July 23, 2024 that Menendez would resign from the Senate on August 20, 2024 because of the federal conviction.

Personal life

Menendez was born on January 1, 1954 in New York City, New York. He is of Cuban descent. Menendez was raised in Union City, New Jersey. He studied at St. Peter's College and at Rutgers School of Law in Newark. Menendez was married to Jane Jacobson from 1976 until they divorced in 2005. His daughter Alicia is a journalist and his son Rob is a U.S. Representative.

In 2020, he married Nadine Arslanian.

Other websites

• United States Senator Robert Menendez official U.S. Senate site
• New Jersey's New Senator, editorial, New York Times, December 9, 2005
• Menendez on the Move Archived 2007-03-09 at the Wayback Machine, Al Sullivan, Union City Reporter, December 11, 2005