To help you understand what is going on in politics and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
The legal woes of Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) could hurt Democrats in both the Senate and the House. Menendez has stepped down as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee but has otherwise refused to budge and insists he is running for reelection in 2024.
Menendez and his wife, Nadine, were indicted on charges that they conspired to act as foreign agents for Egypt. They are accused of accepting “hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes” in exchange for the senator’s influence. Menendez was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the time of the alleged actions.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
As long as Menendez sticks to his plan to run for reelection, he will likely struggle on the campaign trail, as was the case in 2018, when he notably underperformed despite the failure of an earlier corruption case. He will also force other Democratic candidates to answer for his conduct, which is not an ideal situation, as the party defends its razor-thin majority in the chamber.
Plus, resistance to Menendez could open up a competitive House seat. Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ) has filed to challenge Menendez in the primary, which would help Democrats skirt the problems of Menendez’s reelection campaign. Kim’s district — the 3rd district of New Jersey — got significantly bluer during the last round of redistricting. But this district has historically leaned Republican and might be within reach if the GOP is poised to do as well as current polling suggests. The GOP hopes to shore up its nine-seat majority in the chamber in next year’s elections.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
-
Four Essential Michael Jordan Quotes on Life in RetirementThe GOAT of basketball on how he spends his time and what he misses.
-
Three Critical Tax Changes Could Boost Your Paycheck in 2026Tax Tips The IRS predicts these tax breaks may change take-home pay in 2026. Will you get over $1,000 in tax savings?
-
What Services Are Open During the Government Shutdown?The Kiplinger Letter As the shutdown drags on, many basic federal services will increasingly be affected.
-
Banks Are Sounding the Alarm About StablecoinsThe Kiplinger Letter The banking industry says stablecoins could have a negative impact on lending.
-
Trump's Economic InterventionThe Kiplinger Letter What to Make of Washington's Increasingly Hands-On Approach to Big Business
-
What is AI Worth to the Economy?The Letter Spending on AI is already boosting GDP, but will the massive outlays being poured into the technology deliver faster economic growth in the long run?
-
More Shutdown Struggles Ahead for Divided Congress
The Kiplinger Letter Failure to pass a government funding bill by September 30 would trigger a shutdown of many federal services.
-
Trump-Era Regulations Will Broaden Access to CryptoThe Kiplinger Letter The president wants to make the U.S. the leader in digital assets.
-
Big Changes Are Ahead for Higher EdThe Kiplinger Letter A major reform of higher ed is underway. Colleges are bracing for abrupt change, financial headwinds and uncertainty.
-
Breaking China's Stranglehold on Rare Earth ElementsThe Letter China is using its near-monopoly on critical minerals to win trade concessions. Can the U.S. find alternate supplies?
