Sen. Robert Menendez has weathered an investigation before, and expects to prevail against the new allegations that he improperly helped a friend,
The Wall Street Journal reports.
The U.S. Justice Department is
preparing charges against Menendez alleging a quid pro quo relationship with a Florida ophthalmologist.
Menendez is a New Jersey Democrat who has taken positions against his party and the Obama White House, including on relaxing Cuban policy and negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program.
Menendez previously withstood an investigation by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who now is New Jersey's Republican governor. The case against Menendez ended when Christie became governor.
Menendez and his friends said Christie's probe into his dealings with a nonprofit to which he rented office space was political.
The Journal noted that it was hard to find a Menendez critic in New Jersey – including Christie – after his most recent troubles.
But Christie would also be able to appoint a Republican replacement should Menendez be forced to resign.
Possible replacements could include Republican State Sens. Joe Kyrillo and Tom Kean Jr. Both ran against Menendez in the past. Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone also has been mentioned.
A Menendez supporter told the Journal the veteran lawmaker will survive the current investigation.
"He has the time, energy, and resources to clear this," the supporter said.
"The mere reporting of a future allegation is not enough to knock off Bob Menendez," added Ben Dworkin, a political science professor at Rider University.
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