Sen. John Fetterman continued his crusade against Sen. Bob Menendez, challenging him to run for reelection after accusations of acting as a foreign agent.
Mr. Fetterman’s provocation comes after he endorsed Rep. Andy Kim, New Jersey Democrat, in the Democratic primary for Mr. Menendez’s seat.
“I’m daring Menedez to run for reelection,” Mr. Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, told CNN on Friday.
The lawmaker’s endorsement marks him as the first Senate Democrat to wade into the high-profile primary contest, which features Mr. Kim squaring off against New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy.
Other Pennsylvania Democrats, those in the House, have thrown their support behind Mr. Kim.
Mr. Fetterman lauded the three-term House Democrat, calling him a man of honor.
“I feel very secure knowing that he has no gold bars underneath his mattress and won’t ever be accused of being a foreign agent for Egypt or Qatar,” Mr. Fetterman said in his endorsement announcement this week.
Mr. Fetterman’s public challenge isn’t the first time he has jabbed his embattled colleague.
He was the first Democrat to call for Mr. Menendez’s expulsion in the upper chamber following a federal indictment that charged the lawmaker, his wife and business associates with taking bribes in cash and gold bars in exchange for aiding the Egyptian government.
Mr. Menendez was later indicted for accepting race car tickets and other gifts in exchange for aiding the Qatari government.
While his legal woes mount, Mr. Menendez has vowed to fight the charges but has not announced whether he will seek reelection.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.