Washington, September 27 (RHC)-- In the U.S., New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez says he will not resign and will seek to clear his name, after he and his wife were indicted Friday on federal bribery charges.  On Monday, the embattled Democrat said nearly a half-million dollars in cash found in his New Jersey home was being stored for emergency personal use. Menendez did not mention the gold bars and Mercedes-Benz also seized by federal agents, nor did he answer questions from reporters.

Sen. Bob Menendez told the media: “I recognize this will be the biggest fight yet.  But as I have stated throughout this whole process, I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey senior senator.”

On Monday, two more Democratic senators — Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Peter Welch of Vermont — called for Menendez to step down.  They join Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, whose campaign promised to return $5,000 in contributions from a political action committee tied to Senator Menendez in “envelopes stuffed with $100 bills.”

Two people have announced they’re running against Menendez: New Jersey Congressmember Andy Kim and community activist Lawrence Hamm, who is the chair of People’s Organization for Progress.