Youtube / Menendez for NJ, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey has announced he will run in his party's primary for this year's senatorial elections—but the scandal-prone politico has expressed his interest in running an independent campaign to retain his office.

For over a decade Menendez has stood accused of various counts of corruption, and in 2012 the garden state Senator was even alleged to have solicited underage prostitutes in the Dominican Republic, though these allegations were not proven.

However, last September saw a turning point in the diminutive Senator's checkered legal history, when federal prosecutors indicted Menendez on corruption charges related to alleged bribery. These allegations include accepting bribes such as cash and gold bars from New Jersey businessmen in exchange for political favors to the governments of Egypt and Qatar.

The indictment also accuses Menendez of attempting to intervene in a criminal investigation in New Jersey. In response to these charges, Menendez expressed his innocence and his expectation to be exonerated, which he hopes will allow him to continue his political career as an independent.

Following these allegations, Menendez also decided to temporarily step down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has faced calls from many members of his party to step down, but the little man has stubbornly resisted these entreaties, insisting on his own innocence.

“The present accusations I am facing, of which I am innocent and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialogue and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign,” Menendez said in a video message released on Thursday. “New Jerseyans deserve better than that. You deserve to hear from those who wish to represent you about what they would do for you and your families in the future.”

“Therefore, I will not file for the Democratic primary this June,” Menendez continued. “I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.”