Union City, N.J.: The Fall of Sen. Bob Menendez and the Community's Reaction

Just four miles from the federal court in Manhattan, where a jury recently found Sen. Bob Menendez guilty on all counts, lies Union City, the most Latino town in New Jersey. It is here that the Democratic senator grew up and began his political career. In the weeks leading up to the verdict, residents of this tight-knit community were vocal about their views on Menendez and the charges against him. Some were skeptical of the criminal charges, perceiving them as a strategy to remove him from office, while others were unsurprised, citing his previous indictments.

Community Sentiment: Mixed Reactions and Disappointment

Union City, where 8 out of 10 residents are Latino, has been steeped in a sense of disappointment, especially among older Cuban American immigrants. These residents see Menendez as one of their own and a symbol of the American dream. Francisco Guzmán, a 70-year-old Cuban immigrant who arrived in the U.S. during the Mariel exodus in 1980, expressed mixed feelings. Despite being a Republican voter who has never supported Menendez politically, Guzmán feels a sense of “esteem” for the senator. He recounted how Menendez, as mayor of Union City, officiated his wedding without charging a fee.

José García, a Nicaraguan immigrant and former guerrilla fighter, echoed similar sentiments. Arriving in Union City in 1989 when Menendez was mayor, García views the senator as a generally good official. He suggested that Menendez’s alleged offenses were perhaps minor but were magnified to remove him from office. García, now a Christian musician, acknowledged the difficulty of navigating gifts in politics, believing that Menendez did not intentionally commit wrongdoing.

However, the majority of residents interviewed before Menendez's conviction preferred to speak anonymously. In a city where Menendez’s influence is palpable, many were hesitant to openly critique his career. Following his conviction, Menendez announced plans to appeal. A 60-year-old Cuban man, who also arrived during the Mariel boatlift, noted the caution required in discussing powerful figures like Menendez. Similarly, an 82-year-old Cuban retired bus driver highlighted Menendez’s enduring support among the older Cuban community in Union City, attributing this loyalty to shared origins and common stances on issues such as opposition to the Cuban government.

The Evidence and the Verdict

The evidence against Menendez included 13 gold bars and over $400,000 in cash found at his home, which prosecutors alleged were part of bribes he received. The FBI recovered these items from shoes and bags in Menendez's residence in Englewood Cliffs, a fact the jury accepted in reaching their guilty verdict. Despite the evidence, some residents, like a 70-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant, doubted the accusations, questioning the origins of the gold bars and suspecting political motivations behind the charges.

Menendez's Political Rise and Influence

Bob Menendez's political career began in Union City, where he grew up in an old tenement building. Known as “Havana on the Hudson” due to the influx of Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro's regime, Union City was the backdrop for Menendez’s early political endeavors. Starting in the 1970s as a member of the local school board and an aide to then-mayor and Democratic state Sen. William Musto, Menendez quickly rose through the ranks. His testimony against Musto in a corruption trial led to Musto’s conviction and marked the beginning of Menendez’s ascendancy in local politics. By 1986, Menendez was mayor of Union City, and within six years, he became a Democratic member of Congress. His trajectory continued upward, culminating in his election to the U.S. Senate in 2006 and his leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by 2013.

A Tarnished Legacy and a Divided Community

Despite his significant achievements, Menendez's career has been marred by legal troubles. In 2015, under President Barack Obama, he was indicted for fraud and bribery related to a federal contract with the Dominican Republic. This case ended in a mistrial in 2018, but the recent bribery charges and subsequent conviction have cast a long shadow over his legacy. The Justice Department's accusations, including Menendez's alleged secret assistance to the Egyptian government and ties to Qatar, have further complicated his political standing.

Union City residents recognize Menendez’s influence, both locally and nationally. His annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at Union City High School, his frequent visits to local Cuban restaurants, and his efforts to secure federal funds for the city underscore his enduring connection to the community. In return, Union City has consistently supported Menendez at the polls, providing him with substantial electoral backing in past elections. However, his support has waned following his first corruption trial, with recent accusations deepening the divide. A Monmouth University poll in early March revealed that 75% of state residents believed Menendez was “probably guilty,” and a majority disapproved of his work as a senator, with many calling for his resignation.

The Road Ahead

With his political future uncertain, Menendez faces an uphill battle to restore his reputation and maintain his influence. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey is emerging as a potential successor, with polls indicating his advantage. Menendez’s conviction may thwart his plans to run as an independent candidate, leaving him with the daunting task of proving his innocence to a skeptical public.

Union City remains a testament to Menendez's complex legacy. As the community grapples with the fallout of his conviction, the sentiments of its residents reflect a broader narrative of loyalty, disappointment, and the quest for justice. For some, Menendez embodies the American dream and the resilience of immigrant communities. For others, his legal troubles signify a fall from grace that underscores the challenges and pitfalls of political life. As one resident succinctly put it, “Justice will take care of it. If he is guilty, let him pay.”