Despite a federal indictment, most New Jerseyans want Sen. Bob Menendez to stay in office — for now.
Most New Jersey adults (79 percent) have heard about Menendez’s recent indictment for bribery and misuse of office. Though most say he is probably guilty of the charges (60 percent), more than two-thirds (68 percent) also think he should be allowed to wait and see how the charges against him are settled instead of having to resign right away.
Only 28 percent think he should resign immediately, according to a new Monmouth University poll.
Mendenez, New Jersey’s senior senator who has served since 2006, was indicted in early April on federal corruption charges stemming from an investigation into his ties to a Florida doctor and longtime donor. He has continued to deny the charges and has vowed to remain in office.
Interestingly, a slim majority (51 percent) views the federal indictment as retaliation by his political enemies, while 35 percent say politics have nothing to do with it.
The poll found that 42 percent approve of the job Menendez is doing, compared to 37 percent who disprove.
The telephone poll of 500 New Jersey adults was conducted May 1-3 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
