If Mr. Menendez is found guilty, he will face intense pressure to resign before his term is up or risk a potential expulsion vote by his Senate colleagues.
If a jury acquits him or cannot reach a verdict, Mr. Menendez has indicated he could run for another term this fall as a political independent, with slim chances of success.
If the jury returns a guilty verdict, Mr. Menendez could conceivably refuse to step down until his appeal is heard, creating pressure on his fellow senators, especially Democrats facing difficult elections this fall.
Democrats will face a different bind if Mr. Menendez is not convicted, suspecting that his vows to run for re-election may be about raising money for his legal defense rather than a sincere intention.
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