Bob Menendez: American lawyer and politician (born 1954)

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
United States Senator from New Jersey
Incumbent
Assumed office January 17, 2006 Serving with Cory Booker
Appointed by	Jon Corzine
Preceded by	Jon Corzine
Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Jim Risch
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	John Kerry
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
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 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
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 1986–1992
Preceded by	Arthur Wichert
Succeeded by	Bruce Walter
Personal details
Born	Robert Menendez (1954-01-01) January 1, 1954 (age 70) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jane Jacobsen (m. 1976; div. 2005) Nadine Arslanian (m. 2020)
Children	2, including Alicia 1 stepdaughter
Education	Saint Peter's University (BA) Rutgers University (JD)
Signature
Website	Senate website

On April 1, 2015, Senator 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, Senator Menendez along with his wife Nadine Menendez were indicted on bribery, fraud and extortion charges.

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. They had two children.